Before applying kinesiology tape to your body, review thespecific typesof strips available and familiarize yourself withcontraindications for their use. In severe cases, you may want toconsult with a medical professionalfirst.
Brett Sears
Potential Benefits
Kinesiology taping is a newer treatment in physical therapy and many of the techniques used have not been fully tested under scientific scrutiny.
The proposed mechanisms behind kinesio tape include:
Limited research suggests:
How to Apply Kinesiology Tape for Shin Splints
It may be beneficial to ask your athletic trainer, physical therapist, or chiropractor to show you how to apply the tape in terms of stretch and adhesion; they will also be able to help you determine which tape and taping technique is right for you.
Kinesiology taping for shin splints is simple to do using a technique called the anterior tibialis bridge.
Kinesiology tape can be worn for two to five days, and you can get it wet. Watch out for signs of irritation around the tape, however, and remove it if your skin starts to itch or becomes red.
Removal Tip
A Word From Verywell
Many athletes claim good results from kinesiology tape, but your results may vary. For shin splits that show little or slow improvement, you may want to consult a sports medicine physician or physical therapist. A professional can suggest further exercises and self-management techniques for your shin splints.
How Long Will My Shin Splints Last?
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Drouin JL, Mcalpine CT, Primak KA, Kissel J.The effects of kinesiotape on athletic-based performance outcomes in healthy, active individuals: a literature synthesis.J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2013;57(4):356-365.Lim EC, Tay MG.Kinesio taping in musculoskeletal pain and disability that lasts for more than 4 weeks: is it time to peel off the tape and throw it out with the sweat? A systematic review with meta-analysis focused on pain and also methods of tape application.Br J Sports Med. 2015;49(24):1558-1566. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2014-094151Selva F, Pardo A, Aguado X, Montava I, Gil-Santos L, Barrios C.A study of reproducibility of kinesiology tape applications: review, reliability and validity.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2019;20(1):153. doi:10.1186/s12891-019-2533-0
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Drouin JL, Mcalpine CT, Primak KA, Kissel J.The effects of kinesiotape on athletic-based performance outcomes in healthy, active individuals: a literature synthesis.J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2013;57(4):356-365.Lim EC, Tay MG.Kinesio taping in musculoskeletal pain and disability that lasts for more than 4 weeks: is it time to peel off the tape and throw it out with the sweat? A systematic review with meta-analysis focused on pain and also methods of tape application.Br J Sports Med. 2015;49(24):1558-1566. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2014-094151Selva F, Pardo A, Aguado X, Montava I, Gil-Santos L, Barrios C.A study of reproducibility of kinesiology tape applications: review, reliability and validity.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2019;20(1):153. doi:10.1186/s12891-019-2533-0
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Drouin JL, Mcalpine CT, Primak KA, Kissel J.The effects of kinesiotape on athletic-based performance outcomes in healthy, active individuals: a literature synthesis.J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2013;57(4):356-365.Lim EC, Tay MG.Kinesio taping in musculoskeletal pain and disability that lasts for more than 4 weeks: is it time to peel off the tape and throw it out with the sweat? A systematic review with meta-analysis focused on pain and also methods of tape application.Br J Sports Med. 2015;49(24):1558-1566. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2014-094151Selva F, Pardo A, Aguado X, Montava I, Gil-Santos L, Barrios C.A study of reproducibility of kinesiology tape applications: review, reliability and validity.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2019;20(1):153. doi:10.1186/s12891-019-2533-0
Drouin JL, Mcalpine CT, Primak KA, Kissel J.The effects of kinesiotape on athletic-based performance outcomes in healthy, active individuals: a literature synthesis.J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2013;57(4):356-365.
Lim EC, Tay MG.Kinesio taping in musculoskeletal pain and disability that lasts for more than 4 weeks: is it time to peel off the tape and throw it out with the sweat? A systematic review with meta-analysis focused on pain and also methods of tape application.Br J Sports Med. 2015;49(24):1558-1566. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2014-094151
Selva F, Pardo A, Aguado X, Montava I, Gil-Santos L, Barrios C.A study of reproducibility of kinesiology tape applications: review, reliability and validity.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2019;20(1):153. doi:10.1186/s12891-019-2533-0
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