This week I want to directly quote Dr. Tim Simansky (@woddoc) and Dr. Steve Capobianco (@fasciadoc) in their explanation of a couple of RockTape’s newest additions to fascial movement and treatment. I am really excited how this company has evolved so quickly from a taping company to a functional movement educational company. Their products are top notch, as are their trainings! Enjoy:
“RockPods use mechanical DECOMPRESSION to create space in the tissues, thus improving interlayer fascial gliding and assisting with blood and lymph flow. Additionally, it is believed that application of RockPods can induce a neurochemical response while also having a neurosensory effect, both of which can help to mitigate pain and improve movement. Bruising is NOT necessary in order for treatment to ‘work’, although a histamine response (skin redness) may occur as a byproduct of the treatment and should generally go away within minutes to hours. RockPods can be applied to the skin using either the plunger method or the inverted method, and left on for 3-90 seconds, depending on the desired technique. RockPods are not designed to glide, but can be used to traction the skin in specific vectors for an external glide, or used in conjunction with movement for an internal glide
On the other end of the mobility tool spectrum we have RockFloss which utilizes COMPRESSION to improve range of motion, assist with fluid dynamics, mitigate pain, and promote recovery. RockFloss is a 7-ft long latex rubber band that comes in both 2-inch and 4-inch widths. RockFloss is designed to be wrapped around joints, limbs, and the torso, creating a compressive force at the tissues underneath. Once the treatment area has been wrapped, the practitioner or patient can use the tack of the floss to move the tissue underneath the floss for an external glide (more superficial fascial layers), or the patient can actively move through range of motion internal glide (deeper fascial layers).
RockFloss can be used before working out as part of a warm-up routine, or after as part of mobility training. It is absolutely appropriate for the clinic, and our instructors frequently post videos of clinical applications, such as for post-op ACL patients to control swelling, decrease pain, and promote movement.
RockFloss is designed to be worn 90 seconds to 3 minutes, and the tension applied will be dependent upon the desired intervention strategy. We recommend starting with 50% tension and 50% overlap of each successive wrap, with a distal to proximal bias. The scarcity of evidence has lead these bands to be deemed voodoo bands, but the clinical utility and favorable results experienced by clinicians and movement professionals alike warranted the creation of a course.”