TAP® Rocket Wrap Compression Floss

When used correctly, the TAP® Rocket Wrap Compression Floss can be an excellent tool for restoring mobility and promoting blood flow to areas that commonly have low circulation, such as elbows, knees, and shoulders. The Rocket Wrap Compression Floss has a nominal 150% stretch capacity and is available in two strengths: Black Standard Band (.051" thickness) and Red X-Heavy Band (.06" thickness). This product contains natural latex rubber. Flossing has many purposes and uses to help in recovery.

• Provides for better range of motion
• Improves proprioception
• Increases blood flow to affected areas

The TAP® Rocket Wrap from Oates Specialties is a compression floss that offers a wide range of applications, from aiding in decreasing pain and swelling to increasing mobility and range of motion. Dr. Kelly Starrett popularized compression flossing in his book with Glen Starrett titled, "Becoming a Supple Leopard: The Ultimate Guide to Resolving Pain, Preventing Injury, and Optimizing Athletic Performance." In his book, Dr. Starrett called the process "Voodoo Flossing" and stated it was "the most powerful and effective [mobilization] method in terms of restoring position and motion."

The TAP® Rocket Wrap compression floss is a large rubber band used to tightly wrap the desired area starting distal, away from the heart, and wrapping proximal, toward the heart. For example, if the elbow is being wrapped, the wrap would start closer to the hand and move to the elbow. The tightness of the wrap can be altered based on individual tolerance. After an area is wrapped, it can be taken through a basic range of motion movements of the joint/limb, such as straightening and bending the elbow. Due to the tight compression of the wrap, blood flow to the area is reduced, such that when the wrap is quickly removed it causes a significant influx of blood and nutrients to rush back into the previously wrapped area. It is this deprivation of blood and nutrients followed by a flood of blood and nutrients that make the TAP® Rocket Wrap from Oates Specialties so beneficial in repairing damaged tissue.

Please note: the recommendation duration of the compression wrap is between 20 seconds and 1 minute. In no circumstance should the wrap be applied for more than 2 minutes.

While there is debate in the fitness community about the efficacy of the process, there appears to be much positive anecdotal evidence from users feeling immediately better after using the compression flossing technique. Proponents of compression flossing state the procedure helps decrease soreness and loss of motion after exercises, helps reduce swelling associated with injury, and restores normal joint range of motion by breaking up scar tissue.

In his T Nation article 'The 2 Minute Injury Fix' Brad Kaczmarski, C.S.C.S, made the following points:

• When there is pain in a movement, compression wrapping offers extra stability to allow a safer range of motion.
• Once you remove the band, blood floods back into the area, creating an influx of nutrients that was previously limited.
• While it is not a replacement for a soft tissue therapist, it is an affordable and extremely convenient recovery tool.

The following suggestions for use appeared in the T Nation forum:

"If you wrap a swollen joint or tissue, the technique for addressing the swollen joint will be different. You want to wrap the band toward the heart, a few inches below the swollen area (starting as far down the joint as possible is ideal), leaving no skin exposed, wrapping with a half-inch overlap, keeping about a 50% stretch in the band all the way around the joint, making sure to cover the entire area of the joint. Once the joint is compressed, move it around for a few minutes. Then take the band off for a few minutes so you give the tissue time to rebound and recover. Then wrap it again. This should be repeated for twenty minutes, or whenever you stop experiencing change. This is extremely effective, and you can restore a swollen joint to completely normal, and completely relieve the pain. This is your best technique for getting rid of inflammation and pain in an injured joint.

When you mobilize a joint or matted-down scar tissue, start a few inches below or above the compromised area, keeping a half-inch overlap in the band with a 75% stretch over the area you are working on and a 50% stretch over the remaining area. If you have band leftover after wrapping, make an X over the targeted area to create an additional shearing effect.

This can be uncomfortable, but it will not harm your joint or tissue in any way. Red marks can be left, which is normal, and disappear after a few minutes. If you start to go numb or get a tingly sensation (pins and needles), or your limb turns really white, take the band off. This normally happens at the two-minute mark if it happens. If you suddenly feel very claustrophobic, take the band off. This is intense, as most mobilizations are, but you have to be able to tell the difference between discomfort and feelings of numbness, tingling, claustrophobia, or a very white skin tone.

As a safety check, when you touch the skin, it should turn white, and then return to normal. If it doesn't, then you know it's time to remove the band. After you take the band off it's common for your skin to be very white, but within a few seconds you will notice increased blood flow into the area."

The TAP® Rocket Wrap from Oates Specialties is a tool that offers an inexpensive and effective means to restore and enhance mobility. While Oates Specialties LLC is happy to offer the wrap to our elite athletes, we urge you to please educate yourself on its proper use before using compression floss. Rocket Wrap is not a medical device and is not intended to take the place of care from a medical professional.

The TAP® Rocket Wrap Compression Floss will reduce blood flow to the region being wrapped. Never wrap too tight, or for too long, causing discoloration of the skin, loss of feeling, or tingling sensation in extremities. Never use the product for increments of more than two minutes. The user assumes all risks associated with the use of this product. Instructions for use are not included.