Most of you know how much I like kinesiology tape for taping feet. Over the years, I have used several brands and refined my taping skills. I can tape any part of the foot, and for any blisters or prevention desired.
As I have talked to others who tape, runners or crews, or medical people, I have heard stories of tape not sticking as well as needed. And I have seen first-hand tape coming off – generally because of a lack of skin preparation and taping skill levels.
So I was pleasantly surprised to see an article over at www.theratape.com about How to Get Kinesiology Tape to Stick – the 6 P’s of kinesiology Taping.
When properly applied, kinesiology tape will stick for days through all kinds of conditions. When improperly applied, it may last for less than a day, or in some cases, only a few hours.
The article at Theratape.com identifies three phases to taping: skin preparation, tape preparation and application, and wearing the tape.
Here is a summary of the three phases.
Phase 1: Skin Preparation
- The skin must be completely dry before applying the tape
- The skin needs to be clean
Phase 2: Tape Preparation and Application
- Use good quality tape
- Round the corners
- Don’t touch the adhesive
- Go easy on the stretch
- All strips must end on skin, not on another piece of tape
- Activate the adhesive
Phase 3: Wearing the Tape
- Avoid contact at the ends
This is a very good article and you’ll learn a lot about taping with kinesiology tape. Click of the link to read How to Get Kinesiology Tape to Stick.
What you didn’t read is a few things we have learned when using the tape on feet. The typical use of kinesiology tape is for injuries to muscle and soft tissue, very different than taping feet. Once you put the tape on feet and go running through streams, dust, mud, swamps, and other adverse conditions, things change. There are more stressors on the tape and many times its applied just moments before resuming your adventure.
Here are my extra tips exclusive to taping feet:
- Use a tape adherent on the skin
- For extra tough cases, run a strip of tape adherent over the edges of the tape/skin
- Apply the tape the day before your run if possible
- Make sure you apply either a thin layer of powder or lubricant over any remaining exposed tape adherent
- Always roll your socks on and off to avoid pulling the tape loose
While you are Threatape.com, check out their line of kinesiology tapes and supplies. Their website offers a lot of information about kinesiology tapes, information about different brands, application instructions, and videos by body part and brand. I have worked with the good folks at Theratape for several years and love their products and service. For medical professionals, they also offer a professional discount.
