 Poster: A snowHead
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I've been rehabbing my knee for 7.5 months now and still struggle at the gym some days, either through MCL pain or just not able to train the required intensity.
I got my taped by my physio to go salsa dancing on Friday (skiing next Saturday so wanted some protection) and I kept it on for the gym today. My knee has felt great all weekend, and at the gym I was able to train longer and at greater intensity than usual, plus my stability was improved.
So, is this cheating? As in, not getting the full benefit of the workout because of the support the tape gives? Or is this my new secret weapon?[/img]
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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knee taping
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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holidayloverxx, no idea I'm afraid. But I wonder if they could do that with boobs - save on bras?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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holidayloverxx, I've used taping extensively for years - look up McConnel Taping. It is only "high vis" these days because of the jazzy colours and marketing of Kensio or whatever it is currently called!
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Mon 17-02-14 12:08; edited 1 time in total
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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holidayloverxx,
I've been seeing loads of posts about your season. Fantastic to see you back skiing.
Tape does a number of things
It provides some physical restraint, a bit like a brace, but has to be fairly thick to do much.
It's main effect is probably through enhancing proprioception. Proprioception is the information that your brain monitors to help time muscle contractions. Ligaments are a very important sources of this info. So if the ligament is damaged it doesn't give the info the brain wants. Because you have such a clever brain it adapts to using sensation from the tape pulling in the skin.
It is not cheating and probably worth continuing with. A simple knee sleeve like a standard bio skin may have similar effect.
By the way the colour isn't important , but a good sales wheeze non the less.
Jonathan Bell
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Samerberg Sue,
Mc Connell taping was a technique specifically for patella pain and still used as one of a number of techniques to alter patella loading.
Again it probably works by the above method of altering proprioception, though that mode of action was less understood when she described it
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| Quote: |
Because you have such a clever brain it adapts to using sensation from the tape pulling in the skin.
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Does that mean that taping, if done wrong, can give the wrong signals?
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Jonathan Bell, excellent. Thanks for that. I'll give it a go.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Jonathan Bell, I use it to hold the patella in position during strenuous activity. For a variety of reasons my patella does not track properly on my right knee as the VMO never recovered full function after repeated open knee surgeries. The other muscles have returned to normal and particularly the VML pulls the patella out of alignment causing excessive wear as well as pain. I now only use it for skiing as I've found I get a lot of pain if I don't tape it. I use bog-standard zinc oxide tape with a large patch of Mefix (10cm wide) underneath it to prevent skin irritation. The Mefix is quite a lot more expensive here, so friends who are in the medical profession in the UK bring it out for me when they come over to ski! I've had the jazzy colour stuff applied as well by PTs but a) it does not seem to hold as well on my skin and b) it's greater elasticity seems to be too much and I do not feel the same benefit.
I've read a lot about Jenny McConnel and her techniques both pro and contra. But I work on the principle that if you think it works it probably does have some benefit even if it is only psychological!
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| pam w wrote: |
| Quote: |
Because you have such a clever brain it adapts to using sensation from the tape pulling in the skin.
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Does that mean that taping, if done wrong, can give the wrong signals? |
It needs to be applied so it stimulates. ( pulls) on the skin when you load the structure you are protecting.
However it is something your physio can teach you.
Jonathan Bell
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Samerberg Sue,
A lot of people find taping can help the VMO fire.
Agree, if it works who cares how!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Jonathan Bell, it's the VMO I'm aiming for....getting a taping lesson from my local physio on Thursday
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| holidayloverxx wrote: |
| Jonathan Bell, it's the VMO I'm aiming for....getting a taping lesson from my local physio on Thursday |
It may be worth trying other ways of stimulating the skin over the VMO?
Gently pressing with a finger into the muscle or stroking the skin over it with ice.
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You know it makes sense.
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Jonathan Bell, thanks. I'll try that too
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Would something like a tens machine help to get the VMO to fire? I have one which I find helps relax an achy shoulder, but no idea how it works (or if it's mainly in my head). I know it makes me twitch a lot. Just a thought.
Reading this thread with interest, as I'm off in 2 weeks. I have confidence in my knee strength, but not my balance. So I've ordered a brace and some tape, to see how they feel. If either gives me the confidence to go for it it will be worth the money.
pam w, google breast tape or check out http://adhesivebreastlifts.co.uk/. The stuff already exists 
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| janeed wrote: |
| Would something like a tens machine help to get the VMO to fire? I have one which I find helps relax an achy shoulder, but no idea how it works (or if it's mainly in my head). I know it makes me twitch a lot.: |
Electrical stimulation can work but you need a kneehab or compex machine. Both stimulate the muscles of the thigh.
We're just completing a clinical trial on whether the kneehab can hypertrophy( enlarge) the VMO in normal knees.
Jonathan Bell
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Probably a silly question - if someone's VMO is "not firing", are other muscles being co-opted for movements where the VMO normally plays a major role?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| pam w wrote: |
| Probably a silly question - if someone's VMO is "not firing", are other muscles being co-opted for movements where the VMO normally plays a major role? |
The quad muscle has four parts( hence it's name). They all need to deliver the right amount of power at the correct time. The brain controls this. If one part is pulling too hard or not enough then the muscle is out of balance.
The VMO is very readily switched off. When it stops functioning properly there isn't enough pulling on the inner half of the thigh.The VMO is notoriously difficult to " wake up " if it has become lazy. Even when it gets going building strength in it can be slow. That is why physios recommend lots of tricks to get it to work. My wife, who specialises in patella problems, gives a two hour seminar on the VMO for experienced physios, so it is quite a big topic!!!
An analogy that may help is a four man boat. If one rower pulls to hard, or stops rowing the boat will not travel straight.
Jonathan Bell
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Jonathan Bell, thanks. 
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