When I was offered a sample of the Spidertech kinesiology tapes, known as spiders, I thought I had no need for them. “I’m not carrying any injuries at the moment”, I blithely told the PR.
Be careful what you wish for, they say, and by the time the packet of spiders had arrived, I was nursing a painful lower back, originally brought on years ago by lifting heavy babies out of their cots.
You’ve probably seen these nifty little tapes already; they were everywhere at the Olympics. Made of cotton (no latex in there), they are a self-adhesive non-medicated cotton support that is applied to the body wherever it needs extra support. They are slightly elasticated in a way that is supposed to mimic the elasticity of your skin.
At the time I tried mine, I was feeling regular twinges in my lower back , which was quite alarming as I was about to embark on an intensive, two day rowing course. It was touch and go whether I’d be able to go ahead with the course.
I applied mine to my lower back – it’s very easy to apply and once on you’re not aware of it. I can’t say that I noticed an immediate difference – I wasn’t miraculously cured within moments of putting it on – but I can report that I survived two days of sculling with virtually no pain or discomfort. Normally when my lower back “goes”, it takes a good few days to recover.
Now, I can’t say for sure that I have the spiders to thank for my recovery, but I can report that they were easy to use and apply, and did seem to give me some relief – enough that I’d definitely try them again.
I would add that for any injury, it’s definitely worth consulting a professional if you’re in the slightest doubt. It’s probably also worth getting someone to show you how to apply the bands properly if you’re at all unsure. But if your physio or doctor is happy with it, these little spider babies are definitely worth a try.
