Did anyone see the historic two-man bobsled final race on
Monday night when American bobsledder Steve Holcomb broke a 62 year drought
to capture the Olympic bronze medal?
Monday night when American bobsledder Steve Holcomb broke a 62 year drought
to capture the Olympic bronze medal?
What Cape Cod Rehab Physical Therapist Briana Lackenby PT DPT saw
at the start of the race was the black tape that Holcomb was donning on his
left calf.
at the start of the race was the black tape that Holcomb was donning on his
left calf.
This type of sports tape has many names: Rock Tape, Kinesio
Tape, KT Tape etc. Unlike the old white
athletic tape that only stabilized, this athletic tape has a stretch gradient
and can be used for a number of injuries.
Tape, KT Tape etc. Unlike the old white
athletic tape that only stabilized, this athletic tape has a stretch gradient
and can be used for a number of injuries.
“The tape can be applied depending on the direction of pull
to support a weak or injured muscle. It
can be used to stretch a tight muscle and the tape can even be braided over
swollen regions to help with fluid removal,” says Lackenby who has seen
tremendous personal and professional success over the past year with its use.
to support a weak or injured muscle. It
can be used to stretch a tight muscle and the tape can even be braided over
swollen regions to help with fluid removal,” says Lackenby who has seen
tremendous personal and professional success over the past year with its use.
“Tape can help you stay lose and reduce pain between your
physical therapy and training sessions,” added Lackenby. The tape can be worn up to five days and can
even be worn in the pool.
physical therapy and training sessions,” added Lackenby. The tape can be worn up to five days and can
even be worn in the pool.
For Holcomb, the calf strain came while pushing off during
the second heat on the first day of competition.
the second heat on the first day of competition.
The start is super important in bobsled. To push off with a weak or injured leg could have
potentially ruined Holcomb’s chances at a medal. After night one of competition, Holcomb met
with trainers to receive treatments and to keep his strained calf loose. A combination of massage, electrical
stimulation, acupuncture, and kinesiology tape got him ready for the final two runs.
potentially ruined Holcomb’s chances at a medal. After night one of competition, Holcomb met
with trainers to receive treatments and to keep his strained calf loose. A combination of massage, electrical
stimulation, acupuncture, and kinesiology tape got him ready for the final two runs.
When asked if he should drop out of the race, Holcomb said,
“It’s four years to get to this point.
I’m not going to be stopped by a little calf muscle.”
“It’s four years to get to this point.
I’m not going to be stopped by a little calf muscle.”
 |
| Braided pattern used by Lackenby to reduce swelling |
Kinesiology tape can be used to treat a number of injuries and to enhance sports performance. Interested in learning more? Talk to your physical therapist or athletic
trainer today!
trainer today!
Blog post by Jen Skiba.
