You never realize how much work your neck, back and shoulders do until you try to find a way to move or sit without causing pain. If the pain is caused by injury, it can take a lot longer to heal than might otherwise be expected because the natural tendency to try to prevent pain puts additional strain on other muscles, widening the area of strain and injury over time.

Thankfully, advances in sports medicine and technology have brought relief in the form of new types of kinesiology tapes.

Using a scaffold of high grade cotton fabric with a 100% acrylic, hypoallergenic adhesive, Nitto Denko (a Japanese firm specializing in tape products), has developed SpiderTech, a revolutionary tape that mimics the thickness, weight and elasticity of human skin. This breathable, water resistant tape provides 24 hour support for up to 5 days, and comes in a variety of pre-formed pieces for use on specific parts of the body, in addition to the traditional tape roll.

With the tape providing additional support, the affected areas do not have to work as hard. This reduced exertion allows more time and energy be applied to repair of the injury.

Trying to sleep in motion restrictive apparatus is a recipe for disaster. They either cause physical discomfort because they do not allow ANY motion; or the weight, shape or 'feel' of them keeps the nerves (and therefore the person that owns them) in a constant state of low-grade agitation. An uncomfortable body does not rest.

Trying to sleep without them is even worse. Although you can actually go to sleep, without the protection and support of your apparatus, it practically guarantees that some time during the night you will awaken in great pain because you moved inappropriately and aggravated your injury.

SpiderTech helps with both these issues. The flexibility allows a range of motion while providing support and helping prevent over-motion of the affected muscles and joints. Its 'breathability' allows air to reach the skin, promoting normal sweat evaporation. [If you've ever had a cast or worn a plastic support or protection device, you appreciate how important this is.] Water resistance allows you to shower or even swim while wearing it.

Micro-corrugations in the tape improve stimulation (with the benefit of reducing pain signals) improve lymphatic circulation and reduce swelling (improving blood circulation in the affected areas.)

Merely reducing the excess fluid in an injured muscle reduces discomfort. Think of the last time you overate; remember how that extra pressure made you feel, especially when you tried to bend or stretch?  That's what's happening in a swollen muscle. Consequently, this helps return normal muscle activation and speed healing.

They have even developed SpiderTech Gentle for people with sensitive or thin skin that reduces the itching, irritation and redness associated with most sports tapes.

Proper taping can help reduce the effects of whiplash, rotator cuff strain, pectoral or deltoid strains, and even help reduce pain associated with scapula misalignments. By extension, this will reduce protective rigidity and the debilitating headaches that go along with it.