KT Tape could be called the most consumer-friendly brand of kinesiology tape. It comes neatly packaged in rolls of tear-off precut strips, eliminating the need for scissors and cutting for most applications. In addition, the company has created a vast library of both printable application instructions and instructional videos for a wide variety of injuries.
This makes KT Tape Precut Strips the ideal kinesiology tape for those who don’t have access to trainers or therapists to apply their tape. Although taping yourself may seem daunting at first, an important piece of advice the company offers is not to be afraid to “jump in and just go for it.” Although there is a bit of a learning curve, the KT Tape advisors say that after three or four tries, most beginners will be taping just like the pros.
The KT experts give six general rules for getting your KT Tape to stick:
1. Before starting, ensure that the skin is clean and dry. For best results, clean the skin with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to give the adhesive a good contact. Clip excessive body hair close to the skin.
2. Rounded corners help prevent tape ends from curling or lifting away from the skin. KT Tape Precut Strips come with rounded corners, but if you do any cutting yourself, be sure to round every corner.
2. For taping over joints such as knees and elbows, place the joint in its maximum bent position before applying tape. By putting the body part in a position of maximum stretch, this prevents the tape from overstretching later and loosening the adhesive.
3. Make sure the final inch at both ends of the tape are applied with absolutely no stretch so the ends won’t lift up or curl.
4. Briskly rub the KT Tape after application to activate the adhesive and make sure all edges adhere to the skin.
Want to see the rules in action? Tune into “Getting Your KT Tape to Stick – Part 2” for a great video that shows everything you need to know.
KT Tape was featured on the popular Tennis Channel program, Fit to Hit, during the summer. The show featured the lead physical therapist and athletic trainer for the ATP, Clay Sniteman. Sniteman uses KT Tape on tennis pros to relieve pain, reduce swelling and accelerate healing from their injuries. Tennis pros love it because it allows them to continue training and competing as they recover from such injuries as tennis elbow, rotator cuff injuries, wrist strain, knee pain and more. The elastic properties of kinesiology tape allow it to provide support for an injured or overused area without restricting movement, a critical feature for tennis players who need to access their full arsenal of moves during tournament play.
I wrote a detailed post back in May about the Airrosti (Applied Integration for the Rapid Recovery of Soft Tissue Injuries) method for treating soft tissue injuries and their use of kinesiology tape. At the time I noted that my Airrosti provider had a supply of three of the four major brands of kinesiology tape. I’m now pleased to announce that they have added the highly-respected KT Tape (Kinesiology Therapeutic Tape) to their arsenal – in fact, they recently contracted with KT Tape to produce a private-label tape with the Airrosti logo on it. Since I’m currently undergoing Airrosti treatment again (this time for a high hamstring strain), I thought this would be a good time to revisit the topic of fascial manipulation and why kinesiology taping is such a complementary modality.
Airrosti is a form of “manual therapy” that involves hands-on manipulation of the fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds and connects all body tissues. Fascia can become tightened, twisted or distorted as a result of trauma or overuse, leading to pain and loss of mobility. The only way to correct these fascial issues is through direct manipulation. If that sounds like it might be painful, you’re right. The only way to reach and affect fascia is through deep (and I mean DEEP) manipulation of those tissues. Airrosti therapists do this by pressing deep into the constricted tissue with their thumbs.
In my most recent injury, Dr. Schmedding, my Airrosti provider, performed this procedure along the entire length of my hamstrings as well as some of my adductors, beginning at the knee and ending on the ischeal tuberosity (sitting bone). Although it was extremely uncomfortable at times, past experience taught me that this was a“good” kind of pain, associated with the release of tissues to a healthier state. I could actually feel the change in resistance in my tissues as Dr. Schmedding “released” one area after another. And, despite the discomfort I endured during the session, I walked out virtually pain-free, a major improvement over my condition only an hour earlier.
I also walked out with several colorful strips of KT Tape extending from my gluteal area all the way down to my calf. (The image shows my earlier IT Band taping.) KT Tape is an ideal companion to Airrosti because of its ability to relieve pain, reduce inflammation and reduce bruising. It also provides structural support without restricting range of motion, an important feature for injured athletes. I’m pleased to say the reduction of pain and inflammation was evident immediately in my painful hamstring. The prevention of bruising was not quite as complete, but what the heck, the KT Tape covered most of it anyway!
Just in time for holiday gift giving, KT Tape is launching a new line in their Kinesiology Tape Precut Strips category. Aptly named KT Tape Team Colors, the 9 new colors can be combined to match the colors for most professional, amateur and school sports teams. As Theratape.com says, “Now you can support your muscles AND your team at the same time!”
KT Tape is conveniently packaged in rolls of 20 precut strips. Simply tear off a strip, remove the backing and apply according to the instructions included in every package. Because most applications use two strips, it’s easy to create your team colors by using one strip of each color.
The new colors include burgundy, forest green, gold, grey, light blue, navy, orange, purple, white and a completely off-the-wall camo pattern (not sure which team wears camo, but I don’t think I’d like to compete against them!) KT Tape is also available in the more traditional kinesiology tape colors of beige, black, green, red, pink and royal blue. In addition to the single rolls of precut strips, KT Tape also comes in classic uncut rolls in both single and bulk sizes.
If you want to learn about kinesiology tape, buy kinesiology tape, watch kinesiology taping videos or keep up with the latest kinesiology taping news, be sure to check out the new, improved Theratape.com. For over a year, Theratape has steadily grown to become the online authority for all things related to kinesiology tape. Not content to rest on its laurels, a new, vastly improved Theratape.com was launched just last week.
Here are some of the new and exciting features:
In addition to the newly added KT Tape, Theratape also offers products from these leading kinesiology tape manufacturers:
This is only the tip of the iceberg for what you can find at Theratape.com. Check it out yourself – we know you’ll be impressed!