What is Rocktape and would it benefit me?

1. What is Rocktape®?
RockTape is a special kind of tape known as kinesiology tape.
First used by acupuncturists and chiropractors in Japan, today kinesiology tape is used by practitioners throughout the world to treat injuries and improve sports performance.
While the use of kinesiology tape is often associated with athletes, medical professionals have been using it to alleviate a wide variety of ailments, not just sports injuries.
RockTape is made from 97% cotton and 3% nylon. The adhesive is a hypo-allergenic, acrylic-based and contains no latex.

2. What does Rocktape do?
RockTape turns down the volume on pain.
More specifically, it runs interference on pain. Ever whack your shin and rub it, and suddenly realise you feel better? RockTape on the skin can interfere with painful signals which are directed to the brain. When the signals arriving to the brain are altered, it does not produce the sensation of pain. When kinesiology tape is properly applied, many of our customers call it “magic” or think that it fixed their injury instantly. In fact, it helps to change how your body interprets pain, turning down the pain “volume” that your body hears.

3. How does it work?
It decompresses an area of swelling and inflammation.
When RockTape is applied to the skin, it has a microscopic lifting effect underneath the skin and between the many layers. This allows the by-products created by inflammation to be removed more quickly.

It delays fatigue.
Research has shown that RockTape on skin can attenuate muscle fatigue. In rehab, this is very important, not only for the parts of your body that are currently hurting, but also for the surrounding areas as they help to pick up the slack for muscles that are currently not working well.

It normalises muscle tone.
When someone is injured, fatigued, sick, or inflamed, the symphony of muscle action that normally takes place with great accuracy often falls out of tune. This can happen all over the body. For instance, research has shown that people who sprain their ankle tend to have altered activity of their hip muscle as a result. RockTape helps bring dormant muscle back to life and help calm down the overactive muscles. It helps your body coordinate movement as if it weren’t hurt, hence allowing it to heal properly.

It distributes physical stress.
Unlike conventional taping, which prevents movement – RockTape allows full movement of a taped area. Through elastic properties and quick recoil, RockTape can help distribute forces to other nearby areas through the fascia, ligaments, and even bones.

4. What do you use Rocktape for?
It is used for a range of clients. It can support healing for :
- Rehabilitation and sports injuries.
- Acute oedema and bruising treatment. 
- Pregnancy support and pregnancy related conditions.
- Postural correction and support.
- Sport performance enhancement applications.

5. Is there evidence that this works?
There is a growing library of research articles supporting the findings of the use of Rocktape. Medical professionals and education leaders at the forefront of human movement, rehabilitation, and kinesiology taping methods have put together a collection of research articles at http://www.rocktape.com/education-research/research-library/

6. What are ‘Roc Docs’?
‘Roc Docs’ are physical therapists and medical practitioners that have completed a Rocktape certified training course, to allow them to understand the most effective methods and techniques for using Rocktape.

At Gavin Ford Massage, we are Rock Doc certified.

You can confirm that you are being treated by a qualified ’Roc Doc’ by checking their website.
Certified ‘Roc Docs’ are listed on the Rocktape website.