Athletic Tape Info Center

The video below, features physical therapist, Chris Harper, explaining everything a beginning taper needs to know about applying KT Tape Precut Strips. Some of the highlights:

• KT Tape is specially designed for consumer use. No special training is required to apply it effectively.
• The tape can be used for a wide variety of conditions, including strained or overused muscles and joints.
• KT Tape differs from conventional taping, wrapping, and bracing products in that it provides support without interfering with movement.
• Kinesiology tape decreases pain and can also reduce inflammation and swelling.
• While conventional kinesiology tapes require measuring and cutting, KT Tape comes in convenient pre-cut strips, that make the application process much simpler.
• The rounded corners on KT Tape Precut Strips are designed to minimize curling and fraying, while perforations down the length of the tape allow it to be quickly modified for a variety of configurations.
• Pre-cut strips can be used in two configurations: “I” strips and “Y” strips. “I” strips may be used “as is” right off the roll. “Y” strips require folding the strip lengthwise and tearing it along the perforation to separate the two halves and create the “arms” of the “Y.”

In addition to the application tips listed in “Getting Your KT Tape to Stick – Part 1,” the video also offers a few additional helpful hints:

• Rather than removing all of the backing at once, remove only the backing of each section as you apply it. Begin by tearing the backing two inches from the end to create an anchor point for the strip. Then apply the rest of the tape as either an I or Y strip.
• If using multiple strips of tape, be sure that the tape ends are applied to bare skin and don’t end on another piece of tape.