Runners, as a group, are prone to developing a host of knee problems, including a condition called patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). According to an article in Runner’s World, PFPS, more commonly known as “runner’s knee,” is “the most common overuse injury among runners.” While the article describes a host of valuable preventive and ameliorative practices for the condition, taping the knee with RockTape kinesiology tape is another effective method for preventing or relieving runner’s knee.
The Runner’s World article offers runners the following advice: “To prevent PFPS, run on soft surfaces, keep mileage increases less than 10 percent per week, and gradually increase hill work in your program. Visit a specialty running shop to make sure you’re wearing the proper shoes for your foot type and gait. Also, strengthening your quadriceps will improve patellar tracking, and stretching your hamstrings and calves will prevent overpronation.” Adding RockTape to this excellent preventive regimen can only help increase the runner’s likelihood of successfully avoiding injury.
As for therapeutic measures for existing runner’s-knee injuries, using RockTape in addition to implementing the following advice from the above article should help further facilitate the healing process: “At the first sign of pain, cut back your mileage. The sooner you lessen the knee’s workload, the faster healing begins…. Avoid knee-bending activities, canted surfaces, and downward stairs and slopes until the pain subsides. As you rebuild mileage, use a smaller stride on hills. Consider orthotics if new shoes don’t fix the problem…. See a doctor if the pain persists, to rule out another condition.”
In an instructional video on taping runner’s knee with RockTape, Greg, the company’s resident tape expert, tells us that, while cyclists also often develop knee problems, runner’s knee is different from cyclist’s knee in that running is a higher-impact sport than cycling. He goes on to explain that, during a run, each footfall generates about five to six G’s of force – force that requires compensation through using the proper RockTape taping technique. The rest of the video demonstrates the runner’s-knee taping technique, with a blow-by-blow description of exactly what he’s doing during each step of the RockTape application.
Greg tells the athlete to start by cutting four pieces of RockTape – two that are about 15 inches long and two about 8 inches long. He explains that the technique is basically the same as taping a cyclist’s knee, but at the very end of the application process, the runner’s-knee taping technique is a little different. He then clearly demonstrates the method for applying each of the four lengths of RockTape, reminding the athlete to apply the tape 30-60 minutes before exercise to allow the tape to set up. After the demonstration is complete, he says, “And so now, what we have created is, basically, a neoprene brace, except much, much more comfortable: it breathes; it’s got the same elasticity as skin; it’s much more comfortable to wear.”
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