Not long after Interbike I received an email from the folks at KT Tape regarding their product.  Before that time, I had never heard of Kinesiology tape or seen it used by an athlete.  We followed up the email with a phone conversation and an agreement that I would receive some free samples and try them out.  Quite frankly, I was very skeptical.  Despite the enthusiasm shown on the phone by Hilary, spokesperson for KT Tape, in which she described how the tape worked with the pain receptors in the body, reduced inflammation and helped in not only recovery, but prevention of sports injuries and pain, I was pretty sure I was looking into the next ‘magic product’ or, at the very least, the newest fad, soon to fade away; the Biopace of tape, perhaps.  What I found instead was something rather surprising.  But first, let us go to the internet and see what the Wikipedia has to say about Kinesiology tape.

Elastic therapeutic tape

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Elastic therapeutic tape was first seen in the 1970s when Kinesio Tex Tape was invented by Dr. Kenzo Kase, a Japanese chiropractor. It is made from a cotton strip with an acrylic adhesive and is designed to mimic the qualities of human skin.^[1]

For the first decade after its introduction, orthopedists, chiropractors, acupuncturists and other medical practitioners in Japan were the main users of Kinesiology tape. During the second decade after its introduction the tape was adopted by Japanese Olympic and professional athletes. Today Kinesiology tape is used by medical practitioners and athletes in Japan, the United States, Europe, South America, Australia, and other Asian countries. Kinesiology tape is just starting to be available to average consumers for the first time in 2009

Adoption 

The tape is used in therapy to relax overused muscles and in rehabilitation to facilitate underused muscles.^[3] The wave pattern found on the tape's adhesive has a lifting effect on the skin which can reduce swelling and inflammation by improving circulation and reduce pain by taking pressure off pain receptors.^[4]

The popularity of Kinesio Tex Tape in the United States surged after 50,000 rolls were donated and the tape was seen on Olympic athletes in the 2008 Beijing Summer Games. Of these athletes, the most notable was Kerri Walsh who used the tape in competition following surgery on her rotator cuff. However, only 10% of applications are for athletic purposes. ^[5] Lance Armstrong, 7 time winner of the Tour de France, talks about using tape in his book "Every Second Counts". He describes the effectiveness of the treatment for his sore muscles.^[6] Serena Williams has also used therapeutic tapes during competition.^[7] University of Connecticut basketball player Hasheem Thabeet wore black Kinesio tape on his left shoulder during the 2009 men's NCAA basketball tournament.^[8]

Comparison to other taping techniques 

Kinesiology taping differs from the use of traditional white athletic tape and McConnell tape. White athletic taping technique is the most common in North America. White athletic tape is extremely rigid and requires a pre-wrap prior to application. Used for acute and preventative injuries. Left on for a short period of time, typically applied immediately prior to an activity and taken off immediately thereafter. This technique may cause skin irritation due to moisture entrapment, high latex content, skin compression, joint compression and muscle compression.^{[citation needed]} No rehabilitative purposes or benefits are gained from this tape.^{[citation needed]}

McConnell Taping is a bracing or strapping technique using a rigid, cotton mesh highly adhesive tape. Most commonly used for pattelafemoral syndrome, shoulder subluxation, lumbar, foot, and hip impingement.^{[citation needed]} It is left on for no more than 18 hours due to in-adverse skin reaction, and is typically left on for a shorter period of time due to its constricting and suffocating feel.^{[citation needed]} Affects bio mechanics of patient. Primarily used for neuromuscular re-education of the affected condition it is widely accepted by the medical community.

Kinesio Taping is a therapeutic taping technique that works with the body allowing full range of motion (ROM). This technique will not adversely affect the bio mechanics of the patient. Because Kinesiology tape is latex free it hypoallergenic and safe to use from the pediatric to geriatric populations. No compression to the skin makes it "light to the feel" allowing comfortable wear over a 3 to 5 day period. The water resistant fabric wicks away moisture and gives the wearer the ability to bathe as normal. Kinesiology Taping works with the lymphatic system to increase circulation of blood and lymph in order to rehabilitate and relieve pain. Used for virtually all clinical conditions. ^[9]

From the KT Tape website:

Perfect for athletes, weekend warriors, and everyone with sore muscles. KT Tape™ provides muscle pain relief, increased mobility, and enhanced recovery

Description: Includes instructions for common applications Latex Free Water Resistant Can be worn for up to 5 days per application Includes 20 pre-cut strips per roll Each roll is 2” x 16.4’ 140% elasticity for full range of motion and support Available in Black, Beige, Pink, and Blue

I did some research on the net and came up with a lot of links to videos, You Tube, etc, that showed the application of Kinesiology tape for various body parts and conditions.  Shoulders, ankles, backs, necks….well, there were all kinds of things to tape up apparently.  It did bring up one concern that I had from the beginning; how do you learn how to tape correctly for the specific purpose?  You can’t just slap it on there.

Up to this point, a product like KT Tape would have been applied by a trained person.  It was not readily available for the general public.  I bit of anatomical knowledge seemed in order or at least a pretty good grasp of muscles and tendon/ligament structure.  However, after watching a bit of video and reading some, I can see that there are only a few basic things to know and it seemed reasonable that a person will typically have one or two ‘problem’ areas to work with; maybe a sore Achilles tendon or hamstring.  Or perhaps a shin splint or Plantar Faciitis or a chronic shoulder issue.  Once you learn how to tape for that it seemed reasonable that the technique would not change much.

After I received the packet in the mail, I was a bit let down in that, at the time, nothing hurt on the bod requiring taping.  However, my wife was working through a recent injury that had affected the back of the knee at the side, something like a strained tendon.  I talked her into the tape to see if she noticed a difference.  She was worried that it would feel odd or sticky and that it would come off in the pool (she swims at the gym quite regularly).  Neither happened as the soft cotton of the KT Tape was very comfortable and it stayed put over a few days of use.  We went on a five mile hike with a group of young people on a trail with about  800’ of elevation gain.  My wife felt like the leg at this point was feeling stressed, but never came to pain or caused her to slow down the pace.  Her experience with the injury before this led her to feel the tape was helping her in some way. 

After that, I leant a sample or two to a good friend who is a cyclist and has been an athlete all his life.  He was a respected football player, has that jock mindset, and is currently coaching a La Crosse league in our area.  I knew he had some wear and tear from past battles and I asked him to try some out and give me some feedback. This is what he had to say.

KT Tape, AKA Kinesiology Therapeutic Tape, seems to be the real thing for what might
ail you.  According to the wrapper, it's therapeutic and used by
professional athletes, namely Gold Medalist Beach Volleyball player
Kerri Walsh. I was also told pro racer and Leadville winner Rebecca Rusch
uses the product as well. Of course you don’t need to be a pro to use it,
so I tried it out on a couple of things that ail me.
 
My first use was for an elbow issue that plagues me, caused by a poor
sleeping position.  Some of you may be familiar with the pain in this
area as it's sometimes called "golfers elbow"; right at the joint and to
the inside.  I noticed at least a 80% reduction in pain, although not
completely removed.  However with a longer application the pain may go
away completely. My trial was cut short by a pushy editor. (Note:  That would be me - The Pushy Editor)
 
Tape application is fairly simple if you follow the instructions. The
pictures are nice however be sure to take time to read the captions as the
tape stretches.  The application specifies to what degree you stretch
the tape, so a picture is only worth 999 words in this case.  In the
instructions there are several usual applications. The list includes injuries or pain
in the back, neck, shoulder, elbow and ankle.  In my case, the area of
my sore elbow was not shown. Ahhh, but the story gets better.
 
I emailed the company from their nicely done website, that by the way,
has video instructions for those of you who simply refuse to read.  I
requested info on how to do my particular area of the elbow.  Let's talk about customer
service for a second.  In LA, we have the dilemma of masses of people. Many...
too many, companies get away with poor service due to sheer numbers.  
Definitely not the case with KT Tape.  Within an hour and a half, I
had an email response on how to apply the tape for my needs.
 
My second application might answer a few more of your questions.  I
applied the tape for a separated shoulder injury that acts up occasionally
(mountain bike injury of course, which is only irritated by working, go
figure). I taped up just before bed and just out of the shower as dirt and
or lotion greatly reduce the stick factor. All was good in the morning,
no peeling. Threw on a t-shirt for work over top of the tape and pulled
cable for a 10 hour day.  Still sticking....and performing, the tape
again limited my pain.  Keep in mind that the tape is not a miracle
cure, it's going to help you sustain a higher level of performance than you would have with
out it or it may keep you from pulling out all together in what ever
your venture.

When I got home, I hopped on the single speed for a 40 minute ride,
work dirt and all. NO tape peeling! NO shoulder pain.  Came home, jumped in
a hot shower, dried off and grabbed some food.  Still no peeling.  It
mentions being able to wear the tape, shower and all (swimming too) for 2-4 days.
I'll be in my second day with no indication that the tape is coming off as of this writing.
 
So what's the gimmick? None really. The tape supports and pulls in ways
that helps keep your injury from getting worse or at least allowing you to
perform better. Want more information? www.kttape.com.  My personal
opinion? I'm working on a relationship with the company to supply
15 lacrosse programs I administer. It's not going to take the place of
physical therapy, or a good ole athletic tape cast for a really bad
sprained ankle, but it's going to get you back in the game sooner or, should I say, back on
the bike.
 
Steve Tyson,
Avid Mountain Biker
Commissioner Pacific Lacrosse League

After reading this, I was perplexed in that I had nothing on myself to pamper…no boo boos.  But another conversation with Hilary from KT Tape gave me an idea when she mentioned it can be preventative as well.  For instance, to keep a muscle area from becoming inflamed or sore during training.  Well that gave me an idea.  My low back can get pretty stiff and sore if the ride has a lot of climbing, especially seated climbing or if I am standing and really pulling hard on the SS while bent over, like on steep rollers.  So, I taped up my low back right above or at the belt line.  Then I went and rode a hard 2 hour training loop on the SS; one that is really a great big interval workout.  I had no back pain or feeling of inflamed muscles at any time in the ride.  Hmmm.  2 days later I took the tape off.  OOOOOOwwwww!  Man, that part they did not tell me about.  Better than waxing.  I am glad I am not all hairy there or I would have a good bald spot.

Here is an example from You Tube that shows how I ended up using the tape for myself:

3 days after that I knew I was going to do a difficult climb, about an hour without a break, and then follow it up with a techy singletrack descent that could get the back fired up so I applied another strip in the same area of my back.  During the ride it was all good.  No back issues at all.

Could it have been just two good days for me and I would have felt that way anyway, tape or no tape?  Could be, but I will admit it was very interesting, even if it not conclusive.  Wearing the tape is pretty benign.  I basically am not aware I have it on and it feels very natural, not at all like wearing any kind of medical tape.  I will definitely try this on the next multi-multi hour ride.

Is it for real?  Well, it sure seems like there is something going on here.  It is not an expensive purchase to give it a try, under $15.00 at the local sporting goods store.  If you have any chronic areas that could use some help, give KT Tape a try.  If you do, we would love to hear your comments at the end of this post.  Meanwhile I will keep experimenting as things crop up that could use some help.

At the end of all this, I spoke once more to the folks at KT Tape and asked if my experience was typical.  This is what they had to say:

Absolutely! We hear stories like this every week from athletes all over the 
country. I don't blame people for being skeptical at first. KT Tape was 
originally a clinical product so it's new to most consumers. Until you learn 
'why' it works it seems too good to be true. We realized early on that for 
people to appreciate how effectively KT Tape treated injured muscles, joints 
and tendons--they needed to try it. We launched an aggressive sampling 
program where we're sampling millions of units all over the country. We also 
attend as many race expos as possible, joined by local PTs & chiropractors, 
to answer questions and give people an introduction to what KT Tape is and 
how it works. The results have been overwhelmingly positive. Each week we 
are inundated with story after story (www.facebook.com/kttape) of people 
using KT Tape with great success. KT Tape is the most technologically 
advanced product available today and it is by far the best value to 
athletes.

Hilary Hutcheson 
Outside Media PR Director
Follow KT Tape on Twitter