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KT Tape
Trying out KT Tape for the first time. My rotator cuff has been bothering me since before Detroit, and I’m nervous to pole. Just having it on seems to take some of the pressure off, so it must be working. Anyone used it and have any thoughts?
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8 Replies
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I have, but for running. I had an IT band issue that flared up just before my first full marathon (in Detroit, incidentally). It helped. It didn’t solve the problem, but it mitigated it enough for me to get through the race. Without it I doubt I would have gotten more than a few miles.
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Who applied your kinesiotex tape? I am presuming it was a PT or OT. You should definitely speak to the applying therapist about pole and when they think your shoulder is rehabbed sufficiently to get onto the pole. Kinesiotex tape is a great therapeutic agent but it won’t solve the actual problem. If possible, you may want to bring a pole into therapy with you so they have a better understanding of the stresses and angles you are placing on the injury.
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Thanks, yrngrl. Prncsopowr, I just had this mental picture of dragging an XPole into my docs office, lol. Actually, my chiro has seen videos of me poling just for that reason. I have an appointment on Monday so I can understand the best application. There are a couple out there. I need to support my Rhomboids as well. I think that is where the initial weakness is coming from and my rotator cuff has been overcompensating.
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I had a physical therapist apply KT tape to my knee for patellofemoral syndrome. She offered to show me how to do it but I declined at the time because the knee was feeling very good. However, it still flares up so I’m going to ask my current therapist who is working on my hamstring issue to show me how to tape the knee correctly for running.
I tell my docs and therapists that I pole, but I think only some of them get it. I’m pretty sure my therapist thinks I just do Carmen Electra videos. He can just barely make eye contact with me when it’s mentioned. I would like to show him some video so he would understand, but I think that would get weirder than it already is.
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Grayeyes – if your current PT is unable to have a quality discussion with you about the demands you place on your body through pole and then provide appropriate treatment, I would find a new PT. As an OT, I am not allowed to judge and I need to treat all people equally to allow them to return to their best potential quality of life. While I realize I am an OT and not a PT so I am all about people being as independent as possible with all activities they choose to partake in, I still firmly believe everyone has the right to get as healthy and strong as they can. Him being uncomfortable about you poling is unprofessional and unethical. In my mind, it is basically the same as him being uncomfortable treating someone with tattoos.
Saphyre – I have definitely heard of people bringing their poles with them to chiros and PTs/OTs before. Try to re-enact some of the push pole movements against a wall with the therapist so they can feel how your muscles are engaging to most accurately identify the muscles which are engaging and those that are not. You may also want to have the muscles checked for knots as sometimes as knot can be pushing down on a nerve and impacting your shoulder.
Both of you need to get healthy!!!
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KT tape can absolutely be helpful, but the ladies commenting on this thread are absolutely right in that its probably just a band aid for a bigger problem.
If you are not getting the desired attention/response from a PT, look into massage therapists in your area who specialize in Rolfing or myofascial work.
Fascia is connective tissue that’s woven all through your muscles and joints and around your bones. When muscles are tight in a certain pattern over time its not just the muscles that get knotted up, this connective tissue gets stuck together too. If your shoulder is operating in this “stuck’ state, then its unable to reap the full benefit of the exercises you do.
Ideally, find one of those specialists. If that is not an option, grab a tennis ball and google self myofascial release.
Here is a video that is a good example of what you would do with the tennis ball:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DNkA5N6bw0
What she is doing with that Bula ball is just as easily doable with a tennis ball. Explore that area like she is in the video, and feel where the tightness is. If you hit a spot that feels sensitive just lay on that spot and sink into it.
Myofascial release is uncomfortable, but it should be a “good hurt.” Go SLOWLY and BREATHE. Keep in mind that it is counterproductive to hold your breath while doing these releases. So apply pressure to the edge of your discomfort and breathe and sink into these spots until the pain starts to subside. Once that spot releases, move on and see if there are other spots that need the same treatment. DO NOT keep massaging on the same spot for an extended period of time even if it feels good. You could end up causing bruising which is obviously not good.
Since you are a pole dancer, I know you have some pain tolerance! But don’t push too hard and stretch out the area after working it.
Not sure exactly where in your rotator cuff you are hurting but should you want to Google further, here are some common culprits/muscles to google:
*Serratus anterior (this is often over looked because it *technically* isn’t part of the rotator cuff, but it acts strongly on the scapula and I’ve found it to be a pretty common problem with polers)
*Subscapularis (sneaky muscle, but another common issue not just with polers but with almost everyone)
*Infraspinatus, teres minor, teres major
*Latissimus dorsi
On the KT tape, it can absolutely be helpful and I am a BIG fan, but it should just be part of the solution and not THE solution.
Best option is absolutely to find a licensed therapist in your area, but I understand this is not always an option so hope this helps.
Also: I’m not a doctor, but in my experience these are things have been helpful and since poling is SUCH a specific group of injuries and issues I like to share this info in case it helps someone
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Not sure if this video appears somewhere on the site but these exercises really ARE need to know
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I pole and crossfit 4-5 times a week. Sometimes my tendonitis flares up, especially when I go heavy on my weights. I use Rocktape to support my forearm and help with functionality. I like it much better than KT tape. Its the same theory, just Rocktape stays on much better and longer.
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