RockTape is a brand of one-time use kinesiology (the study of movement)  tape that is used for injury support, pain relief, and sports performance.

RockTape was designed with tension built in that is meant to imitate your skin’s elasticity. It only stretches in one direction and is able to expand as far as 140% of its original length, which is already 25% stretched when applied to the peel-off backing during manufacturing. 

This combination of tension and stretchiness creates a biomechanical lifting mechanism when applied over problem areas. It has been proven to help with muscle injuries, strains, and sprains and can also be used for post-operative rehabilitation. 

At LIVE LOUD, our doctors apply RockTape for all kinds of purposes, including pain and injury, pregnancy-related problems, to retrain proper muscle function, manage scars, and, yes, help you reach peak sports performance.

If you’ve seen Olympic athletes or local gym-goers sporting RockTape and are curious, come to LIVE LOUD Chiropractic & Coaching to learn what it can do for you.

After RockTape is correctly applied to your body, it retracts a little, lifting your skin and decompressing the surrounding tissue. 

It’s suggested this can help create added space between the tissue layers, which allows for accelerated drainage of stagnant fluids through the lymphatic system along with an increase of fresh blood flow to the area.

Studies have shown an increase in knee and shoulder joint space after taping, which can reduce irritation and inflammation.

RockTape may also alter pathways to change signals to and from your brain about pain and fatigue. The same applies to trigger points (those knots in your shoulders, neck, and back that are tough to work out). 

When RockTape is applied over these knots, the tissues are decompressed, the pain receptors send out new signals, and trigger point tension is decreased. This leads to less pain and greater range of motion.

There are many supposed mechanical and neurological benefits to taping with RockTape or one of the other 50 or so brands of kinesiology tape now on the market. These include:

• Accelerated healing mechanisms like less fluid retention
• Decreased delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS)
• Enhancement of lymphatic drainage and circulation
• Facilitation of muscle stretching and contraction 
• Increased body awareness
• Muscle fatigue reduction
• Muscle function support
• Pain inhibition and relief
• Pain perception alteration

RockTape is also often applied to help with swelling, bruising, muscle cramping, and even the correction of poor posture. As you can see, RockTape rocks. If you haven’t tried it yet for these benefits, let us show you how!

Pregnant mamas love living loud, too. Just because you’re expecting doesn’t mean you can’t pursue adventure. RockTape is perfect for LIVE LOUD mamas, helping to relieve those common pregnancy aches and pains as well as to support the bump, especially in the final weeks. 

Here are some of the common pregnancy-related complaints we can treat with RockTape at LIVE LOUD Chiropractic & Coaching:

• Swollen Ankles
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Lower Back Pain
• Carpal Tunnel
• Piriformis/Hip Pain
• Neck-Postural Stress
• Diaphragm Expansion
• Rib Pain
• Sacroiliac (pelvis) Discomfort
• Heavy Belly

Skin responds differently during pregnancy, though, so even if you were taped before pregnancy with no reaction, we’ll want to watch for skin irritation after conception.

If you’re an athlete or watch any pro sport, you’re no stranger to RockTape. It seems everyone has caught on to the benefits of using RockTape during training and competition. LIVE LOUD Athletes love RockTape for its ability to provide comfort and support as well as improve performance. 

By increasing circulation and range of motion in the extremities while reducing pain and inflammation, RockTape can help improve your performance, too, taking your focus off those distracting aches and pains so your muscles can work those memorized sequences that equal gold medals or 5-minute miles. 

Having the ability to stretch and move as you move is critical for assisting in rehabilitation and foundational movement patterns to help you perform and recover from injuries

Even if you don’t consider yourself a serious athlete but enjoy working out at home or like to play sports in the community, RockTape can help ease muscle soreness and manage pain to spike your motivation to get out there and have some fun.

Five Reasons RockTape Rocks

1. RockTape uses medical grade adhesive, which is hypoallergenic and latex-free. This makes it a great option for those with sensitive skin or allergies to other athletic tapes.
2. RockTape can be worn up to five days, which means you don’t have to worry about it coming off during training or competition. It even stays put when sweating, showering, or swimming.
3. RockTape’s elastic properties provide support while still conforming and stretching as your body moves, allowing for natural movement without restriction. You’ll still feel comfortable, even if you’re wearing clothes over your taped skin.
4. RockTape is trusted by sports professionals around the world. In fact, there are dozens of RockTape sponsored athletes, including the world’s most elite Crossfit, beach volleyball, BMX, and weightlifting competitors.
5. RockTape is also an invaluable tool for those who don’t compete professionally  but still seek adventure. Whether recovering from a backpacking injury or working it into your everyday training routine to ensure you’re relying on the right muscles at the right time, RockTape is your fitness best friend.