Last month many outstanding junior athletes traveled to Spokane, Washington, to compete in the Regional Junior Olympics. Competitors there vied to advance to the national championships in Arkansas, at the end of July.

Thanks to Kinesio® Tex Tape, the official medical supplier for the event, many of the athletes were able to complete or finish the competition, qualifying them for nationals.

We used Kinesio Tape for a wide variety of injuries such as: sprain/strains, joint and muscle support, shin splints, tendonitis and for simple support. The tape was so popular, many athletes just wanted it on because it looked cool.

Many patients were appreciative for the services rendered. They thanked us, and Kinesio for donating the tape, as we gave them support in achieving their goals for nationals.

By Dr. Asdrubel Lopez, DC, CKTP

Letters from athletes:

I have competed in track and field and cross country ten months of the year for the last six years, and doing so have suffered from nearly every running related injury imaginable. My greatest nemesis, however, are my shin splints and calves. My parents and I explored every possible outlet to relieve the pain; we’d go to the physical therapist three times a week, pain pills, do all the exercises, we even went as far as to get an X-ray to rule out stress fractures. I didn’t think anything could subdue the endless shearing, that is until I met Dr. Lopez at my Regional Junior Olympic U SATF Track and Field meet. Dr. Lopez informed me of the  details of shin splints as he uniquely taped them. He used Kinesio Tape, something I’d heard rumors of but hadn’t yet tried. Admittedly, I had my doubts at first, how could this elastic tape improve anything that regular med-tape couldn’t? I may not have all the science memorized behind it but I can confidently say that as soon as I stood up after being taped the shearing of my shins was gone. It was a miracle. Thanks to Dr. Lopez and Kinesio Tape I was able to forget about the pain and actually enjoy myself and have fun competing again. I won’t go to a meet without it again. Thank you.

Latecia Howell
Heptathlon, 2011 Junior Olympic Championships
2011 National Championships Qualifier

I am training for the Flagline Trailfest 50K race in Bend Oregon in September. I’ve recently been experiencing shin pain and tight calves due to high mileage and significant hill training. While attending the USATF Junior Olympic Track and Field Region 13 meet in Spokane WA. Dr. Lopez worked on my calves and then taped my legs with kinesio tape. My pain level immediately decreased, and my legs felt supported. I also experienced reduced pain (and increased performance) the next few days of running. I have since had to go back to running without the tape, and already the pain has returned. I am planning to find a local resource that can assist me with tape during the remainder of my ultra marathon training program.

Kari Strang
Bend Oregon, Flagline Trailfest 50K Training

Photography by Chad Hewett