One of my dear besties, Tina, used KT Tape for her shin splints during the Surf City Half and now swears by the stuff, so I knew it was a good thing to at least give a try...
My knee’s been bothering me a little bit lately, though I can’t
pin-point where or what. I still wasn’t
sure come Saturday afternoon, but after spending 13 hours in heels on Friday, I
figured a little extra stability in my run on Sunday surely couldn’t hurt.
I had my knee done up – even with the exciting options of colors! KT
Tape has some of the brightest, most obnoxious colors out there and needless to
say, I’m in love.
So.. how does this stuff work, you ask? I had to ask too – I know it
helps, but how? According to their website, “KT Tape is applied
along muscles, ligaments, and tendons (soft tissue) to provide a lightweight,
strong, external support that helps to prevent injury and speed recovery. KT
Tape works differently for different injuries… Depending on how it is applied,
KT Tape supports, enables, or restricts soft tissue and its movement. By
stretching and recoiling like a rubber band, KT Tape augments tissue function
and distributes loads away from inflamed or damaged muscles and tendons,
thereby protecting tissues from further injury.”
Did it work? Well, I think so. I’m starting to think my tightness in my
knee is more along the lines of an IT band issue rather than solidly into my
knee. My next long run/race I’m going to look into KTing again along the side
of my knee and seeing how it goes.
The only pain about this stuff is ripping it off after you're over it - they say it can stay in place (even through water) for up to 7 days! After two days it was tough to rip off and hurt like a mofo to get off even under hot water in the shower. Just like ripping off a band-aid... but worse. But hey! It stuck! They stick to that part right (pun not intended, but acknowledged. Ha!), and I can only imagine what taking it off 5 days later would feel like.
All in all, I'm starting to become convinced. Looking forward to the next time around and seeing if it aids in what I think is my issue - we'll see!
Have you used KT Tape before? Are you a regular believer?
I use it all the time! I like to tape up when I run a lot of miles or hills and it works wonders for me!
ReplyDeleteI think I'm becoming more and more sold. I want to get a roll and actually figure out where my issue currently - figure if it's truly my IT band or not. That might be a good place to start. :)
DeleteI'm still not sure what KT tape is supposed to actually do... is it not just a bandage or an elastic wrap?
ReplyDeleteIt's... neither? So the woman who taped me explained that part of the science behind it lies in the actual adhesive. It's done in a wave-like pattern on the back of the tape that encourages blood flow and pulls away your blood flow from tired muscles, thus relieving the muscle ache you feel, or shin splits, or what have you.
DeleteMy knee certainly didn't hurt after the half. :)
I don't think it hurts too bad to take it off and I've only ever worn mine for a full day. Maybe I didn't make mine bond well enough, either way I love the stuff and am always going to have a roll around for my shin splints!
ReplyDeleteThere's an adhesive spray she used, which I thinks make for some extra-bonding adhesive. That may be why it hurt so badly!
DeleteI just started using KT tape for the first time last month when I started dealing with peroneal tendon issues. So far, so good. I'm a believer after making it thru my last marathon. I too cringe when I take it off. I find it peels off better/faster when wet right after a bath.
ReplyDeleteNoted! I'll have to try it after the bath next time... maybe that'll be a little smoother. Taking it off was quite painful!
Deletea. i love, love kt tape! i use it every monday when i play soccer.
ReplyDeleteb. they have fantastic customer service!
c. it truly hurts like a mother trucker to take off. even after a shower.
d. i havent been super successful with it running long distances because it comes off. pretty sure thats a user error of not applying correctly. if anyone has tips to make it better i would love to know your secret!
It hurts like a mother trucker indeed! There has to be an easier way! Must discover that and share my wisdom with everyone... let me know if you get to it first. ;)
DeleteSo funny because I was just Tweet stalking people about KT tape today. I am so beat up & desperate that I think I am going to go for it. Why not give it a try?
ReplyDeleteHaha - it's worth a shot. I'm planning on investing in a roll and using it where my pain has been coming from lately and seeing what I feel. Looking forward to hearing what you think!
DeleteI tried out KT tape for the first time during my marathon and I think I'm in love! It was definitely worth the 1+ wait to not have excruciating foot pain. (Plus the colors were pretty dang awesome!)
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it was that worth it for you! I've never been hurting badly enough to think that I needed to wait 1+ hours to have it done - so I'm glad my wait there was 15 minutes or so. :) Looking forward to more. And YES THE COLORS. So much love.
DeleteI use KT Gold (less than $13 on Amazon prime). I'm not a runner, just an old lady (66) with joint and muscle issues. My PT introduced me to PRT (postural restoration therapy) and KT Gold. I swear by both of them. My right leg and knee are relatively pain free as a result. My left knee was replaced 3 years ago and I am hoping to avoid the same procedure on my right knee. So far so good. By the way, I remove the tape while in the shower, working it off while applying creme rinse to the area. It works pretty well.
ReplyDelete