Kinesio Taping - Elastic Therapeutic Athletic Tape Tex Classic - Blue – 2 in. x 13 ft

My mom took a kinesiology taping class for continuing credits and introduced me to this tape. It's both supportive and has the best stick of everything I've tried so far. This stuff really sticks for days with showers, sweat, changing clothes and bed sheets at night. That being said, if you frequently want to take it off and reapply, it can irritate your skin. Be prepared to leave it on, which is generally the goal.The tape fabric is on the thicker and stronger end of the spectrum as far as kinesiology tape goes. I've found it to be very supportive and helpful for ankle, knee and connective tissue recovery. I get a good 3-5 days or more from one taping, which saves time and money in the long run.There are plenty of PT videos to demonstrate good taping techniques. I recommend watching a few for reference. (I've seen folks on Amazon with videos where they touch the sticky part of the tape, so it's no wonder people can't get any tape to stick using that method.) If you're not use to taping, it's awkward at first getting it on right, but eventually gets easier with practice. (A less expensive, less sticky tape can be used to practice if you need to get your technique down first. That will save money and skin removal if you try several times in one sitting. It's especially challenging when you're twisting in funny positions and trying to see what you're doing.)In short, to get the most bang out of your buck, wash your hands and skin first and let everything completely dry. Leaving at least 1.75 - 2" at each end that is applied without stretch prevents the tape from wanting to recoil at the ends, which will keep it in on longer. (The tape is 2" wide for reference.) Apply without touching the sticky part at all, this makes a huge difference. This can be achieved by not pulling off all the paper backing at once. Hold the tape with the paper still on the sticky part as you apply. Fold the tape to crease the paper and tear / break the paper at the crease. Start from around 2" from one end (or the middle) and remove the paper from the inside out. Hold it at the end with the paper backing still on and peel sections as you lay them down (Watch a video to see this). If you apply multiple strips get them on at the same time so everything stays clean (residue free) and dry. And finally, lightly and vigorously rub the applied tape with the paper just removed (printed side glides better than shiny side) to create some friction and heat so the tape adheres better to the skin. Take care not to catch the edges of the tape when rubbing. You can round the corners when you first cut your strips to help from catching an edge later. Blot the tape dry with a towel out of the shower rather than rub it.

because as a scientist (orthopaedics to boot!), I couldn't see how this could provide any benefit. Even some of my biomechanic friends were skeptical but when I had a severe case of 'tennis elbow" (lateral epicondylitis for those interested) in my dominant arm, my occupational therapist used this tape. It really does work-taking just enough mechanical strain off the inflamed muscles and tendons to help calm things down-that, of course, helped with pain as well. It is critical that you know how to apply it properly to get the most benefit...it is not an ace bandage! It is not to prevent movement in a joint which is the point of a big wrap but rather to take a mechanical load off the injured tissues. If you have had a wrap by a pro before or understand anatomy and kinesiology (the science of musculoskeletal movement), the tape can be applied at home. There are a few tricks but ultimately the way to do it is to figure out which movement is painful and then use the tape to support that movement. It also helps to add some stretch to the tape application, for example...to protect the major muscle group running from the mid-region of my right forearm to my elbow, the tape was applied over my 2 middle fingers (cut 2 holes) first with my wrist in a fully flexed position (arm on the table hand and fingers pointing to the ceiling) the tape was stretched to reach about 5-6 inches behind my wrist, then my hand was forced down so that the tape was taut , then pressed to stick. The tape then was gently stretched up my arm and around the outside (lateral) of my elbow to about 2 inches above the elbow in a straight, unflexed position. Remember to curve the corners of the ends of the tape with scissors to prevent the corners from lifting ( the sharp corners catch on everything, which significantly lessens the wear time). Also, don't take the paper backing completely off at first, in the example given above, stretch the tape slightly about 6 inches below the finger holes, which are 2-3 inches from the end of the tape (wish I could draw a picture for you!) and work with that part only, placing the tape over the fingers and firmly sticking to the palm, btw it really helps to remove any lotions or oils natural to your skin with an alcohol wipe) then when that is completely stuck down slowly work the paper off as you firmly press the tape down while moving it up the arm and laterally around the elbow. Hope this helps!