RockTape Class Action Says Kinesio Tape Doesn’t Relieve Pain

A RockTape class action claims that the kinesiology tape does not provide the pain relief that is advertised by the manufacturer.

Kinesiology tape is unique from other types of athletic tape which are wrapped around the body because it is pre-stretched and then stuck over the affected area.

The idea of kinesiology tape reportedly originated from a Japanese chiropractor in the 1970s. Although the practice has gained popularity, a recent kinesiology tape class action claims that the idea is “lacking in substance or merit.”

According to the RockTape kinesiology tape class action, “the scientific community that has studied kinesio tape has come to the conclusion that it does not treat injuries, improve or enhance athletic performance, reduce or delay fatigue, or provide relief from pain, nor does it do so any better than conventional sports tape.”

Plaintiff Mario DeLaMora takes issue with RockTape, a kinesiology tape that is reportedly sold at a premium price compared to other athletic tapes.

The tape is marketed as being able to help “soothe pain and improve athletic performance” when used to “treat sports and non-sports injuries, including shin splints, plantar fasciitis, runner’s knee and back pain.”

RockTape is also allegedly portrayed as superior to other tape products with packaging that claims “[u]nlike conventional tape which constricts blood-flow, RockTape lifts the skin away from muscles, which increases blood flow.”

According to DeLaMora’s RockTape class action, the tape’s logo and tagline “go stronger, longer” is misleading because RockTape is ineffective and fails to perform as advertised.

DeLaMora reportedly purchased RockTape for $18 from an online fitness website after he started to experience pain during his workouts. Despite using the tape as instructed, DeLaMora says he received no pain relief, performance enhancement, or injury treatment as was promised on the RockTape labeling.

The plaintiff claims that RockTape manufacturer Tumbleweed and parent company Implus knowingly made false claims about their kinesiology tape and aimed to deceive consumers into paying a premium price for an ineffective product.

“Defendants’ false, deceptive and misleading representations about the pain-relieving, injury-treating, and performance-enhancing properties of RockTape were and are material,” DeLaMora claims in his RockTape class action.

“There would be no reason for a consumer to purchase RockTape and pay a premium price for it (over and above the price of traditional athletic tape) if not for the claims and representations about RockTape’s ability to relieve pain, treat a variety of injuries, and enhance performance.”

DeLaMora seeks to represent a Class of consumers who purchased RockTape for personal use. He also seeks to represent a subclass of California consumers who purchased RockTape for personal use.

The RockTape class action lawsuit seeks restitution, disgorgement, equitable relief, damages, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.

DeLaMora and the proposed Class are represented by Michael Liskow and Janine L Pollack of The Sultzer Law Group PC and C. Mario Jaramillo of Access Lawyers Group.

The RockTape Class Action Lawsuit is DeLaMora v. Tumbleweed f/k/a RockTape Inc., et al., Case No. 5:19-cv-03865, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

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