FFT - Functional Fascial Taping

Another Way To Tape

Australian expert speaks for lighter option

RA says tight taping/ binding is suitable as a first aid modality, but during a recovery phase lighter way is often better choice.

English translation.
Sometimes it may be very fruitful to challenge the old routine. Twelve years ago Australian Ron Alexander came to the conclusion that it is not necessary to completely immobilize patients with tape. This idea led to a new taping procedure and today RA goes around the globe to teach and present the advantages of his idea of taping.

Different therapy modalities are aimed to relieve pain and increase range of motion, this is one option to achieve these goals. "Lighter way to tape also reduces pain and can result in greater ROM and is drug free" RA says.

Among other organizations the English Football Association and Chelsea football team have been interested in RA´s knowledge and skills. On Friday 18 Finnish physiotherapists were able to learn this new taping system when RA held a presentation. Besides these physios promising young soccer player Kasper Hämäläinen will recive treatement. RA has promised to treat his "jumper´s knee" problem. This injury kept Hämäläinen on the bench when TPS confronted MyPa in soccer league. (explanation: TPS = Turun Palloseura, MyPa= Myllykosken Pallo, national level teams)

Patients do not have to look like mummies Mr. Alexander developed this taping method during the time he was working as a soft tissue therapist in Australian Ballet Company. Ballet dancers suffer very often from painful inferior extremities. Traditional taping was out of the question. It would have prevented dancers from performing freely and therefore he developed this lighter method of taping which effectively reduced pain and still allowed the full range of motion. RA points out that "less can be more also in the field of taping". In recent years RA´s taping method has become well known also in UK, besides Australia, of course. In US extremely expensive football players and basket ball players are wanted back on track in no time. Additionally, RA has worked with race car drivers too.

The Australian visitor highlights also, his method can be used when treating common peoples problems too, so the method does not apply exclusively to elite sportsmen and women. For example common back pain can be treated with taping. Another typical example could be a wrist problem which frequently bothers people who work a lot with computers. As a demonstration RA tapes just in couple of minutes a persons wrist. "This kind of taping mobilizes tissues during activities of daily living. Thus the recovering person treats him or herself during work." assures Ron Alexander.

"Turun Sanomat" Finland
27th of May 2006

Soft Tissue Therapist wins International Award
Communicator Award

Ron Alexander has won the top Award in the medical education category of the Communicator Awards, an American based international video competition. "Entries are judged by industry professionals and the Award of Excellence (Crystal Award) is presented to companies and individuals whose ability to communicate elevates them amongst the best in their field and whose work serves as a benchmark for their industry". (The Communicator Awards, 03)
In the 2003 competition there were 2,867 entries across a number of categories. Approximately 15% of entrants won the Crystal Award, some of these include: The American Air force, Indiana University School of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Centre, The Boeing Company and Warner Brothers.

Jan Smith Manipulative and Sports Physiotherapist. The Australian Representative to the International Sports Physiotherapy Federation, who discusses her clinical experience with FFT® and provides an indepth look at the analgesic, rehabilitative benefits and some of the theoretical aspects of the method.
Susan Mayes Physiotherapist for The Australian Ballet, discusses the benefit of FFT® for Anterior Impingement Syndrome of the ankle. Susan has extensive experience with this condition and provides her clinical reasoning for FFT® in the management of this condition.
Narelle Davis Myotherapist for the Australian Gymnastics Team and the Victorian Institute of Sport. Narelle most graciously allowed filming of the assessment and application of the method on a VIS gymnast with Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome. After this 'one on one' consultation, Narelle became the principal person in charge of the FFT® treatment plan for this athlete and provided the follow ups.
Travis Whitmore Personal Trainer. Sanctuary Cove Recreation Club. Travis is taught the method on a V8Supercar driver who is suffering severe knee pain as a result of a major car accident. Travis is the principal person in charge of the FFT® treatment plan for the driver. Travis also provides follow ups.

Jeffery Linn, (USA, Advanced Certified Rolfer)

Media releases

Sport Health (Sports Medicine Australia)
The Institute of Registered Myotherapists Australia
The Journal of the Australian Massage Therapist Australia
Association of Remedial Masseurs (N.S.W)