Treating folks, like you, who move for a living and love to move

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Author: Richard Symister

In my MovEvolution rehab and recovery tool box, I always carry my sports taping supplies. On-the-spot, I may need to treat an aerialist with shoulder rotator cuff weakness, a grappler with chronic patella tendon pain or a runner who doesn’t fully trust that cranky ankle joint. You never know.

In 2020, I was working at a 3-day (Chicago-style stepping) dance event. I ran of sports tape for my dancers! I needed to excuse myself and sprint to a local CVS to buy some more sports tape! How embarrassing.

Want to learn how to sports tape?

After learning the foundations of sports taping, collect the right tools you’ll need for your most efficient and effective treatments. I’ve made a checklist you can follow to make sure your toolbox is fully stocked.

Sports Tape. There are soooooo many. My advice? Stick with the 5 top-rated brands, and see which one(s) work best for you as far as application, comfort, longevity and ease of removal. My favorites are Rock Tape, Nordic Lifting Kinesiology Tape and KT Pro.
Scissors: Practice, practice, practice — not only cutting, but deciding on the most efficient pair of scissors. A dull or inefficient pair of scissors can ruin your sports taping day.
Rubbing alcohol or alcohol wipes: Before sports taping, do your best to remove from the skin as much sweat, lotion, oil, or anything else that may impair the sport tape’s ability to stick .
Tape Spray: The adhesive spray creates a sticky surface that improves the adhesion and increases the security of the sports tapes. It is more water-resistant than the adhesive on most tapes, making it ideal for applying sports tape to areas that are more likely to be wet/sweaty/dirty (sprained ankles, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy. We like Cramer Tuf-Skin.
Tubular/Compression stocking: Performing a great sports taping and then having it ripped off accidentally by clothing absolutely sucks. That’s why I keep a few feet of Tubigrip elasticated tubular support bandages on hand. Tubigrip is normally used to provide continuous support for the management of strains, sprains, and swelling. The extra benefit? It protects your sports taping artwork!

Want to learn how to sport tape? We can teach you how in one session! Contact us here.

Heal. Move. TAPE. Evolve.

Richard Symister, MSPT, CSCS

Owner, MovEvolution Physical and Performance Therapy

Bite-Sized Blogs

Read The Benefits of Sports Taping here.

Get your SPORTS TAPING CHECKLIST here.

Nagging knee pain during BJJ? Read how we SPORTS TAPE FOR PATELLA TENDONAPTHY here.

Latest Posts

Sports Taping Supply Check List

Want to SPORTS TAPE? Learn the BASICS!

Sports Taping: Patella Tendon BJJ Pain

Melissa Jackson

02:39 12 Mar 24

Before my visit with Richard, I was unable to stand in place for extended periods without pain. Following my visit, I... was able to stand in place with much less effort and pain and was able to move with greater ease and flexibility. Most importantly, I left my visit with greater understanding about what was causing my pain and what I could do to improve my flexibility and mobility and reduce my pain.read more

Tanita Wrenn

16:56 11 Mar 24

Richard was wonderful to work with. He answered all questions and concerns, and he cared. I had very little range of... motion before seeing him. I could only bend over to where my finger tips hit my knees before having back pain. By time he was done with me I could just about touch my toes. I did not feel as stiff any longer and many of my friends noticed the change.read more

Porta Aviles

14:57 09 Mar 24

This work shop was great. His strength techniques was very helpful. I would suggest to everyone to try these stretches... before dancing and after dancing.read more

Dana Shimizu

00:23 05 Mar 24

I attended one of Richard's workshops where he generously assessed each person's problem. He pressed spots, manipulated... limbs—he did what seemed like magic and brought immediate relief. He also left us with helpful general information on how to maintain strength, balance, and flexibility. Richard is a gem, I intend to see him in the future.read more

Diane Bank

21:20 25 Feb 24

Fantastic clinic! Richard addressed hip issues I’ve had for years. Mobility much better immediately!

TJW

14:21 06 Feb 24

Richard at Movevolution is the best! Very pleased with how dedicated and professional he is to your recovery. I had... back surgery almost a year ago and Richard helped me in my recovery. My goal was to be able to lift my daughter when she was born and I am able to do just that! I plan on getting back into PT with him to make my back even stronger! If you are looking for a great physical therapist, look no further than Richard at movevolution! He’s the best and cares about your well being and recovery.read more

Rolling Stonerz

00:58 03 Dec 23

I’m a Jiu jitsu athlete that consistently is training and putting my body through vigorous workouts. MovEvolution... helped me regain an incredible amount of mobility in my shoulder after an injury! Highly recommended!! Best in the industry ever👌read more

Amanda Trapasso

13:39 28 Jul 23

My son was in a Super Fight for Jiu Jitsu and MovEvolution was offering massage and stretching services. My son is nine... and did the stretching and he LOVED it! They were so friendly and enjoyed talking to my son all about his fight. Very knowledgeable and professional, I highly recommend!!!read more

Davis 1504

11:19 28 Jul 23

Richard is fantastic! amazing experience with this company. Richards customer service and knowledge about my specific... injuries was outstanding and his treatment was exactly what I was looking for. I am so happy and pleased with the service I received from Richard .read more

Hatshepsut Pakeman-Symister

20:31 14 Jul 23

Richard is an AMAZING physical therapist. He’s really the best. Full Disclosure, I’m also married to him, but that... never stopped me from being critical before ,so… ;-)read more

Brian Bolton

21:05 25 Mar 23

I had great experience with Richard that Ill share here. Had severe, I mean really severe ankle pain on day two while... at a four day dance event. I was limping could barely move . I'm still not sure why / how that happened. I dint twist it or anything. Maybe it was the shoes I walked and danced in, Im really not sure because this pain had not happened before. So, I booked a session with Richard. After a brief evaluation , some stretching and foot manipulation he honed on the the issue and positioned and taped my feet in a virtually pain free position. Not sure if the result will be as dramatic for you , but my result : I was able to dance virtually pain free for the rest of the weekend and walk through the airports ( which I was really concerned about) to get home after the 4- day event. I ended up buying some inserts he suggested once I got home and took the tape off. . . I'll be following up soon because I also have hip and back pain . I hope the results are similar. thanks Richard!read more

Y M

22:31 21 Feb 23

I don’t want to sound dramatic here but if you’re looking for PT who will help you heal AND set you up for a life with... less pain, see Richard at MovEvolution! Richard is an amazing physical therapist and is kind, patient, and knowledgeable and checks in with me each session to thoughtfully understand progress and any changes he should make to the plan. He combines various methods to give my injury/body what will help the most and teaches me along the way.I came to Richard after a very painful backpacking trip where I injured both ankles (Oh, how the swelling made my ankles disappear!) and had low back pain that was making it hard to walk comfortably. I knew I needed help healing, but I didn’t understand what a very skilled and ‘big picture/whole picture thinking’ physical therapist could do. After just a month, I’ve been blown away at the results and process – he actually gave me hope that the pain I’d been dealing with would eventually be gone and I’d be even healthier and stronger than before!read more

K P

16:52 11 Dec 22

Richard is a respectful, dedicated physical therapist who is meticulous in his care. He figures out the steps in... treating you, discusses exactly what he is treating and gives appropriate exercise “homework” to help your recovery. He is always present while you are performing exercises. He guides you with corrections to your body position and steadiness. He gave me tape and lent me a piece of equipment to use at home. I’ve never had such a great experience with a physical therapist before and would recommend him if you are looking for a thorough, and thoughtful physical therapistread more

Quiet Storm

23:13 25 Aug 22

I had pain in my shoulder and at one point could not lift my arm completely because of it.After one appointment visit... with Richard at MovEvolution, I can now lift my arm with little to no pain. Richard is the best!, he is attentive, informative, and extremely caring about my progress and even gave me tips and an exercise program that will help me get to becoming 100% with mobility of my shoulder/arm.I highly recommend MovEvolution Therapy!!!!read more

A S

22:14 17 Aug 22

I to an event which an at the end I started experience an each that was causing much tension and stiffness. Richard... Symister owner and founder of MovEvolution was introduced to me, within 30 minutes of him applying therapy to me all pain, tension and stiffness was gone. He is very respectful and professional. I highly recommend him to anyone in need of therapy. Thank you Richard.read more

Andrea

16:41 30 Jul 22

I recently tuned into a virtual workshop from MovEvolution that gave great tips and recommendations for my ongoing knee... pains. Richard was upbeat and thorough throughout his webinar. 10/10!read more

Colette

15:54 30 Jul 22

I wish Richard could clone himself. He is an excellent physical therapist and coach. I have osteoarthritis in my right... knee and postural issues etc and his coaching and work with me yielded great results. He is brilliant and really gets into the “why” of your condition.I recommend his programs and I think it’s worth it to get to Bridgeport to see him. Yup he is that good.read more

Marc Williams

15:50 30 Jul 22

I loved this workshop on fixing knees on the stairs. Richard taught us so much about the many possible reasons why you... could be feeling pain in the knees and some tests we can do to build strength, balance, stability, etc. He knows this topic extremely well. I believe that if you follow his "steps", you will be stair-climbing fit!read more

Walter Gist

15:58 17 Mar 22

My son who is a physician recommended Richard of MovEvolution to assist me in improving my "core;" after seeing me... walking up and downstairs with "caution." Richard's examination and assessment of my overall fitness were thorough, and he provided me with exercises to improve my movements in everyday activities. Paying special attention to my bad back and neck. Richard is a caring and knowledgeable therapist!read more

Unique Brathwaite

15:39 31 Oct 21

I recently had a session with Richard that was so unbelievably energizing and healing. I’ve always had an impression of... physical therapy as only being for folx who have sustained various levels of injury. While I'm fortunate that I'm not recovering from an injury, I haven’t fully appreciated the value in being stretched and aligned regularly to help move tension that I store on a daily basis in my body; that changed after our session together. As a busy, full-time working mom, my body carries the physical and emotional weight of everyday life. I operate on auto-pilot so I'm not always even aware of how much my body carries in my neck, my shoulders, and my back. Richard is an unbelievably skilled therapist who found my tension and pressure points and with such grace and intention, was able to move and shift me in ways that I felt comfortable, safe, and relaxed. He guided me through each step and checked in regularly with me to make sure I was feeling comfortable at every point. I left our session feeling relaxed and with energy flowing through me.‘The MovEvolution studio is also a warm and inviting place that put me at ease as soon as I walked on. Adding to my overall ease and sense of safety, Richard sanitized each surface before and after I came into contact with it. We both wore masks during the entire session.Truly an amazing and energizing experience!I HIGHLY recommend MovEvolution!read more

Ginny Chae

02:49 24 Aug 21

MovEvolution is the first time I've felt like I'm making progress in a chronic injury! After having tried prior PTs... with no success I had given up on it but luckily decided to try again here... really happy to have found this clinic.read more

Naomi Barnett

20:11 20 Aug 21

I am a triathlete and marathoner, and in my most recent race, seemed to have sustained an injury to my calf that was... probably also related to some knee pain I had been experiencing for months. I called MovEvolution and was able to get an appointment the very same day. My practitioner, Richard, conducted and extremely thorough evaluation to get to the source of my pain and determine my muscular strength. He then set out to write me a 6 week program to increase my strength, reduce my injury, and prevent further injuries. It. Worked.MovEvolution takes your entire fitness into account and creates a holistic plan based on your goals. Not to mention, Richard is extremely engaging fun, knowledgeable, and easy to work with -- offering to meet over Zoom to show me an exercise or allow me to record him demonstrating so I could easily remember what to do. My calf pain is gone, my knee pain receding, and I truly want to follow Richard's detailed plan for me from here on out. I cannot say enough good things about MovEvolution!read more

Suze-Elisha Principal

21:30 11 May 21

If you’re looking for a PT who is just “treating” than keep scrolling ☝🏾but if you are looking for A professional who... is a partner in your overall healthcare journey go no further.•Richard Has a compassionate approach and is truly looking to help you heal and evolve. Over the years As a fellow Physical Therapist I’ve see many who just provide exercise and send you on your merry way, but Richard provides hands-on cuing and education In effort to help you return to better pain free and efficient function. Hes down to earth and wants you to return to the activities you love.Give him a call.read more

Leigh Adel-Arnold

17:09 05 Jan 21

I found Richard after searching for “physical therapy near me”. I was wowed by the reviews and after my initial... session, I understood why. Richard LOVES what he does and is extraordinarily knowledgeable when it comes to healing and strengthening. After an eventually correct diagnosis and treatment for a torn meniscus, I’ve been doing PT for a little over a month now and am feeling so much stronger. Between actual sessions, and the exercises I was given to do at home, I am returning to physical homeostasis. A major part of this is that Richard treats the whole body, not just the injury itself, and is an anatomy NERD. I mean this in the best way possible and it’s the dream (though not always the case) when finding a physical therapist. I cannot recommend MovEvolution highly enough!!read more

Movevolutionpt@gmail.com

(718) 522-2658

Treating folks, like you, who move for a living and love to move

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Author: Richard Symister

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