KT Tape

What is KT Tape?

By Jenn K.

Athletes use kinesiology therapeutic tape, and so do I for cycling:

I recently read the book “Every Second Counts” by Lance Armstrong, and he talks about using a type of kinesiology therapeutic tape. I never did notice it on him during the cycling tours. It looks like I will have to pay better attention at the Tour of California this year. If you did not see the tape on Lance Armstrong, you may have seen or heard about it during the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics. I remember my Yahoo home page with the news article “The Mystery of the Black Stuff on Kerri Walsh’s Shoulder”. Rumors were that it was a tattoo, a medical tape, and the Nike swoosh, when in reality it was kinesiology tape.

After it was brought to the attention of the public what the purpose of the tape was, I noticed more people started asking me about it. At the time I had a few rolls of kinesiology therapeutic tape (another brand) at home that I used for the relief and reduction in tenosynovitis of my thumbs during long road cycling rides. “What is that on your thumb?” people I cycled with would ask.

So what is kinesiology therapeutic tape?

Kinesiology therapeutic tape is cotton backed with an acrylic adhesive. It originated in Japan almost 40 years ago and recently became available for public use, thanks to KT Tape by Lumos, Inc. This type of tape has many benefits: it allows for full range of motion to the area taped; it can be worn up to 5 days; it has water resistant properties; it is latex free; it increases circulation in the blood and the lymphatic system. It does not contain medicine as some believe. I recently found out that it can be used on bruises, but not on a bruise that is open. It is supposed to eliminate the inflammation caused by the damaged muscles or bleeding beneath the skin to speed up recovery. I will have to try this, as I have many bruises from mountain biking.

Let’s get to KT Tape:

KT Tape Strips

I received six pre-cut pieces of KT Tape (3 blue and 3 black). Just an FYI: the colors are for cosmetic purposes – they have the same properties. On the packaging it is marketed to reduce muscle pain, increase mobility, and enhance recovery. Common sports injuries that KT Tape can be used for are also listed on the package. These are: Achilles tendonitis, tennis elbow, shoulder pain, ankle sprain, runner’s knee, shin splints, IT band pain, back pain, and neck pain.

“Wave” Pattern

On the adhesive side of the KT Tape it looks like a wave pattern. These “waves” lift up the skin when the tape is applied and helps reduce swelling, inflammation and pain, along with increasing circulation. The tape is elasticized and stretches. It can be used with no stretch to a full stretch. The pre-cut sections are 10 in. long and 2 in wide and have the KT Tape logo on the anchor section. I can see this pre-cut configuration working for basic taping methods as in the KT Tape documentation or the videos, however, for more complex taping techniques or smaller areas such as a wrist, a smaller section of tape is needed at times. I like the idea of the pre-cut sections as it makes for easier application for the general consumer. The KT Tape is scored for about 8 in. so that it can be used in a “Y” configuration. It can also be used as a general “I” tape if the tape is not split. The tape easily splits into the “Y” configuration.  The remaining section above the score line serves as an anchor.

Taping tips provided by KT Tape:

• “Clean skin of all lotions, oils, sweat and dirt before applying.”
• “Always leave 1” on both ends of tape with no stretch, so tape does not pull on skin.”
• “Be sure the tape is at room temperature or warmer before applying.”
• “The tape should be applied one hour before entering the water or engaging in heavy physical activity to make sure the adhesive is set.”
• “Make every effort to apply tape directly to skin and not on top of other tape. KT Tape does not adhere well to itself and may loosen prematurely if the ends are not attached to skin.”

Disclaimers per KT Tape:

*”Do not use KT Tape if you have been diagnosed with cancer as it may interfere with treatment and disease management strategies employed by your medical professionals.”

*”Do not use KT tape on abdominal applications if pregnant.”

*“These instructions provide general techniques in applying KT Tape for common conditions and are for educational purposes only. They are not meant to replace professional medical advice or treatment. Muscle and joint pain can and often does indicate serious conditions requiring professional medical evaluation and treatment. Seek professional care for persistent pain and dysfunction.”

Kudos to the KT Tape website and the amount of education provided to apply the tape correctly for maximum benefits. I must say that I am very impressed with the videos and the documentation provided. There are step-by-step written instructions and videos on how to apply the tape correctly for the common injuries for which the tape was marketed.

First Use:

My skin was clean and dry and I applied the tape to both thumbs, forearms, and wrists to alleviate tenosynovitis/tendonitis using a customized taping method not found on the KT Tape documentation or the website. This method protects the tendon and the wrist from overuse and I find this method helpful while I am biking.

My taping technique

I tore the backing off the anchor end of the tape and applied it to my thumb, just below my nail. This was an “I” configuration and I bent my wrist down while placing the tape up my forearm. I used an “X” tape pattern on the wrist at the base of the thumb. I find this helpful to expand the wrist joint. Both sections of tape were applied with minimal stretch except at the anchor points. I then taped my other thumb.

I noticed a very slight separation at the area where the tape is pre-scored. This was minimal and did not impact the functionality of the tape from what I could tell.

I went on a mountain bike ride, sweated a bunch and the tape remained on my forearms. However, where my gloves were rubbing against the tape, the corners of the tape lifted up. This was all right by me since the area I wanted protected was not affected. My ride was more than 2 hours and gained over 1,000 feet of elevation so it was a good workout. I applied sunscreen to my forearms right before my ride being careful not to get it too close to the tape. The sunscreen did not cause any of the forearm tape to become lifted. I had full range of motion of my hand and wrist to steer my bike and apply the brakes.

Ready to roll in Aliso Woods, California with KT Tape.

I will report more on my use of the tape after a few more rides. Since I had to cut the pre-cut sections for my taping technique, I have some pieces remaining that I would like to use to heal bruises. I will also write about that in the future.

My Thoughts:

So far I like the KT Tape, although I have only used it on one bike ride. It is easy to use, the instructions are great, and it seems to stay in place where there is no rubbing from my biking gloves.

In the physical rehabilitation clinic where I work, we frequently tape our patients for various injuries with a kinesiology therapeutic tape. Many times we educate the patient how to apply the tape and send them home with samples to use until their next session. The problem is I have to cut multiple strips off a large roll for them, and now I am thinking I could just send them to a local retailer to pick up a roll of KT Tape.

KT Tape Update: February 3, 2010

After my first mountain bike ride with the KT Tape applied using my method to prevent wrist and tendon overuse, I must say that I am very pleased with this product. It is difficult for any type of kinesiology therapeutic tape to stay in place when I have to wear my biking gloves over the tape. There is no exception to KT Tape. The tape began to peel off near my thumbs; this is just because of where the gloves rub my thumbs. So, for my next ride I was able to tape one arm using the same method and I included a small anchor strip around the thumb in the high wear area. The tape stayed in place for two consecutive days, which included two rides. I took it off after two days because I no longer needed the protection since I was not riding. The tape was just lifting slightly on the thumb edges.

During the three rides I used the KT Tape, my wrists and thumb tendons were protected and there was no pain or tenosynovitis for me. Generally if I ride without some kinesiology tape or some kind of thumb support I get tenosynovitis of my thumbs.

I had some extra pieces of tape that were scraps from my taping configuration and I used them (with no stretch) on two dark bruises that were not open. I am prone to bruising easily due to a bleeding disorder that I have. I left the tape on the areas for four days and the bruises were gone. The tape was not constricting in any way and I could not even feel it. I read about how kinesiology therapeutic tape heals bruises, but I never took the opportunity to try it until now.

I was wondering how to use the tape in conjunction with sunscreen. During my use I applied the sunscreen about 30 minutes after applying the KT tape. I wanted to verify with KT Tape if this was the correct method. Jim from KT Tape said: “It’s really important that the skin is clean and dry before applying the tape. Lotion, sunscreen, oils, etc will ALWAYS cause the tape to come off. Best to apply the tape first then apply sunscreen and try to avoid the area where the tape is.”

Generally I remove this type of tape in the shower, while the top of the tape is moist. That is an easy way to pull of the tape; however, this brand of tape removes easily without being exposed to water. It does not hurt when it is pulled off, nor did it remove any of my arm hair. There is no adhesive color line on the skin when the tape is removed, as with some other brands. I also found that the cotton top of the KT Tape seems more durable and slightly thicker than other brands I have used. When the KT Tape was removed there was no skin irritation or blistering.

I am going to continue to use KT Tape especially as I start riding my road bike more to prepare for my summer century rides. This will require me to use my wrist taping configuration and a trapezius taping configuration I have used in the past to decrease inflammation of my trapezius muscles.

I am also going to recommend this product to my patients who want to use a kinesiology therapeutic type of tape at home. We instruct the patients in our clinic how to use kinesiology therapeutic tape and we apply it for them. We send the patient home with some strips so that they can apply it themselves. Sometimes the patients run out of tape at home. KT Tape is available in many stores in the county where I live, and some of my patients have already purchased it. I also think that the pre-cut strips make it easier for my patients to apply the tape.

A big thank you to 4alloutdoors, KT Tape and Lumos Inc. for providing me with the opportunity to try out KT Tape.

If you are interested in KT Tape check out the KT Tape website at www.kttape.com for more information and where to purchase.