Wearing products infused with particles of the metal titanium is supposed to relieve pain and improve your movements. Products include not only tape but necklaces and bracelets. Allegedly, titanium regulates your body's bioelectric current. "When this current is stabilized, the muscles relax and blood circulation increases, allowing for easier movement and pain relief, " explains EasyBackPainRelief.com.
Background
The alternative medicine practitioner Yoshihiro Hirata founded Phiten, a company that sells his titanium-infused products, in 1982. According to Hirata, using titanium tape will both relieve pain in muscles and make them more flexible. Many athletes second his claim, especially baseball players back in Hirata's homeland, Japan. Some American baseball players are also big fans. Pitcher Randy Johnson once wrapped his entire back in titanium tape and regularly uses titanium-impregnated lotions and bracelets. Outfielder Chris Snelling reports that he loosens up his body much faster since he started sleeping with titanium wristbands. But Dr. Orrin Sherman, chief of sports medicine at the New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases, is not convinced there are any healing benefits associated with titanium. "There's just no way the chemical structure of the body can be influenced by magnets that small. It's all superstitions with no scientific basis," he explains. However, he adds, as it is not harmful in any way, you may continue using it if you believe it works for you.
Use It
You can use titanium tape on pretty much any part of your body. Common areas include the lower back, knees and elbows. Shoulders and elbows are other popular areas. You can also apply it to your head to relieve headaches or around your stomach to relieve intestinal problems. There is no right or wrong way to apply the tape. Just apply as much as you want. Cut it in smaller pieces, if necessary. The tape is not supposed to be supportive. While you may leave it on for as long as you want, it is recommended that you reapply new tape every couple of days for hygienic reasons. In order to avoid skin rashes, TitaniumOutfitters.com says that you should "apply Liquid Titanium Massage Lotion over the area and wait until the skin is dry before taping."
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