KT Tape

Image curtesy of KTTape.com

By Dave Wilkes

If you watched any of the 2008 Olympic beach volleyball tournaments in Beijing, you are probably at least slightly familiar with Kerri Walsh. When I saw her playing I noticed the tape she was wearing on her shoulder. I was curious and learned it was Kinesology Therapeutic Tape. I had assumed it was some method of delivering medicine such as pain killers and/or anti-inflammatories (such as some of the new medical patches available). In researching further I found it uses no medicine at all. It is a process of using a special kind of athletic tape that is said to be gentler than the standard athletic tape, to relieve pain and provide stability. I was kindly asked to review the KT Tape by Lumos, inc. for 4alloutdoors.org.

I found the tape is available in a number of athletic supplies stores even one local to me (living in a small ‘city’ in central Washington State I am used to being unable to get many things locally), and so picked up a role in addition to what was being shipped to me (yea, I am a bit impulsive, and I was so surprised to find it locally I just had to get some).

During my research on the product I viewed a few videos showing exactly how to use the product (http://kttape.com/instructions/). Note there are a number of warnings on the web site and in the supplied instructions regarding the use of the information as follows;

“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.”

The videos and included instructions were very enlightening. The first thing I noticed was that many of the procedures for applying the product could be difficult if not impossible to do on oneself. The second thing I thought of was, being a rather hairy man, I am not real fond of placing large pieces of adhesive tape to my body no matter how much pain I might be in.

Image curtesy of KTTape.com

Being ’40 something’ and somewhat active, I experience my share of aches and pains. In addition to this I have a long standing condition with lower neck pain and over the last few years have struggled with pain in my Achilles tendons. As it turns out, the KT Tape instructions have specific instructions for using the product for both of these conditions as well as a number of others (I really could have used this stuff last year when I sprained my ankle as well as when I broke my hand).

In looking at the tape I note that it is precut into 10” (25 cm) pieces, this should make it much easer to use. And since it has a backing, I should be able to take a few pieces with me in my first aid kit. I was rather surprised at how thin it was, but how thick the adhesive is. I immediately applied it according to the instructions to my Right Achilles tendon, and I found it was possible for me to apply it by myself, but a bit awkward. I noticed that the elastic was not especially ‘sticky’ but once applied and rubbed in place stayed attached. I was surprised to find that unlike other sports tapes I have worn, once it warmed up to my body temperature I could barley feel it, and within a few minutes I could hardly tell it was there at all. While applying it I got one piece in the wrong spot and had to move it, I was surprised that it did not really pull my hair much, but since it had only been in place for a few seconds that may not have been a good test (I was to find out 3 days later just how wrong I could be). The documentation touts that this product can be worn for as long as 5 days, vs. 1-4 hrs with standard Athletic tape. Also, that it should remain in place during heavy physical activities as well as in water. This is something I will be looking at closely (being winter any “swimming” I do will be unintentional and brief as possible I assure you). I also noticed references in the instructions to “Y” strips. At first I assumed this was a separate version of this product until I noticed that each piece pre split up the middle from one end to just short of the “K” logo printed on each piece. I assumed the pieces can be split along this perforation to form the “Y” pieces, and it was not until writing this that I noticed a small graphic on the instructions kind of shows this. This seems to be the one and only thing the instructions to not describe clearly. Note; the video on Front Shoulder Pain and a few others show the process of splitting the tape to make a “Y” piece.

I plan to use the tape and see how well it works for me, initially on my own, then later after consulting a clinician (recommended to me by the KT Tape Rep). Being ski season, and since I not only have kids (so every winter I become a human rope tow for my kids at the nearby sledding hill) but also will be resuming snowshoeing this year, I anticipate at least a few aches and pains. I am a bit skeptical on how well this product will work since after having it on for about 15min, I can not feel the two pieces I have on at all, and I worry how much hair I will end up removing while using this (cheap waxing?) but I look forward to trying it out and hope it lives up to its reputation. If this product allows me to take fewer over the counter medications and/or reduces discomfort or injuries, I will be a very happy man. The product literature mentions this tape being “designed and offered specifically for consumers”. As such I intend at least initially to use the product on my own with little to no assistance aside from available documentation. Following that I will likely obtain information and/or advice from qualified personnel on both the general use of the product as well as its application for my specific needs.

[a few weeks later]

I have one chronic condition that I have used to test the KT tape. I often get pain and stiffness in my Achilles Tendons (primarily my right one). Since getting the KT tape I have used it proactively before activities as well as to treat the condition after the pain started. At the same time I have stepped up activities that put stress on my Achilles Tendons, calves and ankles. The two primary activities are games/exercises on our Wii console, and snowshoeing. The activities I have been performing on the Wii have put quite a bit of stress and strain on my calves and ankles, leaving me sore and stiff afterwards. In the process of testing some new snowshoes I have climbed straight up (and down) some VERY steep (50-60 deg incline) icy hills. Experience has shown that either of these should cause me to experience days if not weeks of pain and stiffness in my Achilles Tendons. However this has not been the case. The one time I used the KT tape to treat my sore tendon, the relief was almost immediate, and upon removing the tape 3 days later had no discomfort at all (aside from the hair I removed with the tape, but more about that later). When I have applied the tape prior to performing the activities I have felt some soreness in my ankle but virtually no pain or stiffness in my tendon! The pain in my ankle but not in my tendon indicated to me the tape was being effective in reducing the discomfort I would have otherwise experienced and the fact that I experienced full relief of all discomfort within a day or two was quite remarkable.

I have experienced only a few minor issues with the tape. First is the tape’s ability to remove hair. My first use I simply applied it with no preparation. When I removed it, quite a bit of hair came with it. I was to find out later that some experienced users shave the area before applying the tape. Second is the difficulty in applying the tape on oneself. I have been able to apply the tape to my heel with only a little difficulty, but in reviewing the application for most other parts of the body, I doubt I could apply it without help. Finally I have experience a little difficulty in keeping the edgis from starting to peal away for the full 3-5 days. At first I simply applied it to my skin without any preparation, it came off within two days. I started applying it after I got out of the shower and this has worked rather well but I still experience issues with the edges of the tape coming up sometimes. In one case I applied a bit of first aid tape to hold the edge down and it was fine for the 3 days I left it on. But despite the edges coming loose the tape has stayed in place for the full 3-5 days since I started applying it after washing.

[jump ahead a few more weeks]

As part of this review I was put into contact with a clinician; Dr. Ted Forcum. He and I talked for about 30min covering the use of this product. He was able to provide me with quite a bit of useful information, but the first and foremost item I would like to share is the advantage of consulting a professional regarding any serious or chronic problem. In addition, while I have had some success with using this product on my own it became obvious soon into our conversation that professional guidance on using this product would be invaluable. While I learned quite a bit from my short talk with Dr. Forcum, I am not going to attempt to repeat much of it out of fear that due to my own limited knowledge and memory I might misquote him and as a result pass on erroneous information. I will however pass on a few tidbits I feel too significant not to include here. First is that unlike some other sports injury related products (especially medications) it is “hard to screw yourself up” with KT Tape. Chances are the worst you will do by miss apply the product is it will do no help or harm. Next is he provided me with a few simple ‘rules of thumb’ regarding the application of the product. First is that the product is almost always applied with the tissue of interest stretched. Then the amount you stretch the tape while applying depends on the purpose. 0% stretch helps to lift the skin from the tissue, use about 20% stretch to inhibit the tissue, and 50% or more to facilitate the tissue. For example to support and assist a weekend or injured muscle one would apply the product along the length of the muscle stretched (>50%). In my case to lessen pain and promote fluid flow I use the tape without stretch along the length of my tendon. Above all, I can not stress enough that the above is simply for reference and not to be taken as medical advice. I have had good results using this product in a limited fashion, but fully intend to consult a professional who is experienced with this (or similar) product before I use it for any other serious or chronic injury.

A final tidbit of information I got from Dr. Forcum that I wish to pass on is the use of the product on hairy areas. Apparently some short hair actually can help with the adhesion as well as effectiveness of the product. Dr Forcum recommended trimming the hair to about 1/8” rather than shaving it. He also gave me advice on removing it from hair by pulling it in the direction the hair lays and optionally using some oil to help dissolve the adhesive for removal. (the fact that the adhesive is oil based is why it may not adhere well to oily or unwashed skin).

I invite you to submit questions and participate in the discussions on the Forums section where I will enlist the assistance of a representative of the manufacturer to participate as necessary. I welcome any questions and comments you may have.

Update Jan 30 ’10

I decided to not use KT Tape at the same time as stepping up my activity level (trying to get in shape for some spring/summer activities). Two days after a strenuous snowshoeing trip, my right Achilles tendon was aching and I really did not want to take time off from my workouts to let it heal. So after hobbling out of the shower I applied the tape to my heel and was amazed to get almost instant relief. Within seconds of applying the tape I had no discomfort at all!

Over the last few years I have been prone to lower back pain. I hate to admit it but I am getting older. Since testing this product I have suffered from back pain a few times, but simply could not accept that this would do anything for what seems like simple achy muscles in my back. Seeing as how I have used up the samples I received, was down to a few last pieces in the role I purchase, and my sore back was starting to interfere with my workouts and daily activities, I figured I would give it a try. I had my wife watch the video and asked her to apply it for me. To my surprise, after she applied the tape I experienced almost no pain?!?! Clearly I do not quite understand either how this stuff works, or what is actually causing my back pain (probably both). But as long as I can get up out of a chair without pain and continue my workouts, I will be happy in my ignorance.

I find the sensation of using the product to be difficult to describe. When my ankle is aggravated and I have been inactive for a little while I can feel a tightness that I have learned to associate with it being stiff and sore when I start using it. When wearing the KT Tape, I still feel the ‘warning’ tension, but when I start moving there is no pain or stiffness. It is actually kind of an odd sensation. Since I started reviewing this product I have not taken any medication for my heel and have been able to continue my normal activities despite doing some things that would previously had me sore and taking pills, and/or reducing my activities for a week or more. When I started this review and found out it involved no medicine, I was skeptical. Pain relief and improved recovery time by simply applying tape?!?! Sure, tell me another one! But I have to say that at least for me, this stuff really works, and I intend to continue to use it.

This concludes my review. I would like to thank 4Alloutdoors.org and the folks at KT Tape & Lumos, inc. for not only the opportunity to review this product but for allowing me to discover a product that I really like but would probably never have discovered on my own.

As always I encourage you to add any questions or comments you may have to the Forums, and to read some of the other fine reviews and articles on 4Alloutdoors.org.

Dave  Wilkes (the turtle)

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