The Basics of Applying Kinesiology Tape

How to Apply Kinesiology Tape

Kinesiology tape has many benefits. It can be used to relieve pain, reduce swelling, increase blood flow, promote healing, improve athletic performance and provide functional support of injured joints and muscles. It has the same thickness and elasticity as skin, allowing it to move naturally with the body and interact with the underlying structures. It is believed to work by lifting the skin to allow blood flow to an injured area while also effectively dispersing fluid from areas of swelling.  Once you apply it, it can be worn for up to 5 days. You can shower, run and do your thing and the quality brands of tape will stay in place. The list of applications, therapeutic uses and benefits is amazing. Many times people can't believe it until they use it. When kinesiology tape first came out, its usage was limited to chiropractors, physical therapists and other trained clinical specialists. Over the last few years, there has been a tremendous surge in popularity and we’re seeing the use of kinesiology tape grow rapidly in the pro athlete arena as well as among sports enthusiasts and every day consumers who are looking for a new, effective approach to healing and pain management.

Kinesiology Tape is Not Athletic Tape

 Kinesiology tape application

The thinness and elasticity of kinesiology make it completely different from rigid athletic tape. Whereas athletic tape restricts movement and blood-flow, kinesiology tape encourages normal movement and actually enhances circulation. These differences are what make its application processes unique and important. The keys to applying it correctly include the amount of stretch in both the tape and the injured area, as well as the positioning of the tape on the skin. While traditional athletic tape tends to be wrapped tightly around an injured body part and must be removed immediately after activity, kinesiology tape is applied over and around the borders of muscles and joints, allowing it to be worn safely and comfortably for several days. The amount of stretch in the tape can vary, depending on the purpose of the application. For example, if your goal is pain relief, it is important to stretch the muscles being taped, but have no stretch in the tape itself. Different injuries and conditions also lend themselves to different varieties of tape (i.e., rolls or precut) and what method of application to follow. For an injury that you are taping  for a reduction in swelling, a precut edema tape would be an ideal choice for to encourage lymphatic drainage. Because there are numerous ways the tape can be used and applied, it is a good idea to learn a few basics of kinesiology taping so you can get the maximum benefit from every application. Following are some of our favorite resources:

Kinesiology Taping Instruction Resources

  • Instructional Videos  - For more in-depth instruction, we provide an excellent resource library of Instructional Kinesiology Tape Application Videos from many of the amazing brands we carry. You can find application instructions by brand or body part.

Theratape.com also offers a wide-variety of kinesiology taping instruction manuals and DVDs with comprehensive instructions for readers and kinesiology tape users of all backgrounds. Applying kinesiology tape doesn’t have to be intimidating. You don’t have to be a professional to apply it.  The key is simply to do a bit of homework first and choose the right tape for you. Want to stay up to date with Theratape and learn more about the benefits of kinesiology tape? Add us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube!    

The Basics of Applying Kinesiology Tape

There are 147 products.

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RockTape H2O Single Rolls

$25.20 $26.99

RockTape H2O is the ultimate kinesiology tape for water sports. Designed to work in harsh environments to enhance performance and recovery, H2O has undergone rigorous testing in the wild waters of the Pacific and come out with flying... or should we say, swimming colors.

H2O is a great tape for surfers, swimmers, water polo players, triathletes, and other water sports. Because of the extra-sticky adhesive, it\'s not recommended for infants, geriatric use or individuals with sensitive or fragile skin. RockTape has a tighter weave and greater elasticity than other kinesiology tapes, allowing it to provide enhanced support for injured or working muscles. 

Each 16\' roll provides enough tape for 8-12 average applications, with a wear-time of 3-7 days. Every box includes a full-color, 2-sided poster showing instructions for a variety of therapeutic and performance-enhancing applications.

Availability: Out of Stock
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RockTape 1" Rolls (2-Pack)

$24.20 $25.99

Sorry, OUT OF STOCK and Discontinued by RockTape. Check out Vetkin or KinesioTex Gold FP for other 1" Wide options!

RockTape\'s 1" wide kinesiology tape is an integral part of any taping kit. Also referred to as finger tape, it is ideal for taping small areas like the hands, fingers, feet and toes. It can also be used to create X and Y configurations without the need to cut 2" tape down the middle. This means less fraying and longer-lasting applications, since all of the edges are machine-cut. This narrow width tape is also ideal for taping infants and children without having to cut regular tape into smaller strips.

RockTape 1" is used extensively by bowlers, volleyball players and other athletes whose hands and fingers take a beating. It\'s equally effective for conditions such as arthritis in the fingers, hands, feet and toes.

* Each pack contains 2 rolls of 1" x 16.4\' (2.5cm x 5m) kinesiology tape

Availability: Sold Out
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RockTape 4" Single Rolls

$51.00 $45.00

RockTape makes the only 4" wide kinesiology tape in the industry. If you prefer to cut your own kinesiology taping applications, you\'ll love this widebody roll that allows for complete customization for every situation. Mini Big Daddy is perfect for taping larger areas like the thigh and lower back, allowing quick creation of custom applications without cutting multiple strips. For areas with large bruises or significant swelling, use this 4" tape to create a custom fan taping with multiple "fingers" to enhance lymphatic drainage.

  • Each 4" x 16\' (10cm x 5m) roll has enough tape for 10-12 average applications
  • Each roll comes in its own dispenser box
  • Includes a full-color, 2-sided poster showing a variety of therapeutic and performance-enhancing applications
  • RockTape has a tighter weave and greater elasticity than other tapes for greater support of working or injured muscles
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RockTape 2" Bulk Rolls

$153.00 $128.00

ROCKTAPE is a premium kinesiology tape with a tighter weave, greater elasticity and stronger adhesive than industry standard. A tighter weave means enhanced support for working muscles and joints. Extra elasticity promotes "snap back," helping muscles contract and relax more efficiently. And Rock Tape\'s stronger adhesive allows it to stay on longer, even under the toughest conditions. This makes it an ideal athletic tape for high performance athletes and those competing in extreme sports.

Bulk rolls are an economical solution for those who tape a lot.  At 2" wide x 105\' long, a RockTape Bulk Roll is equivalent to 6.5 regular rolls. Each roll comes conveniently packaged in its own dispenser box, making it easy to cut just the amount of tape you need. Includes poster with instructions for a variety of injury and performance taping applications.

Availability: Out of Stock
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RockTape 2" Single Rolls

$25.99 $26.99

ROCKTAPE has a tighter weave, greater elasticity and stronger adhesive than other kinesiology tapes. It stays on longer and provides enhanced support, even under the toughest conditions. This makes it a top choice of high performance athletes and those competing in extreme sports.

Single rolls of RockTape are perfect for sport bags, travel kits and home use. Each 2" x 16.4\' roll has enough tape for 8-12 applications. And with a huge assortment of colors and patterns from basic beige to flying skulls, you can make a fashion statement as you blow by the competition! Each single roll of RockTape comes in its own dispenser box and includes a full-color, 2-sided poster showing a variety of therapeutic and performance-enhancing applications.

Availability: Product available with different options
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RockTape Precut Strips - 20 Strip Rolls

$24.20 $22.00

Best selling RockTape is now available in rolls of precut strips. No need for scissors or cutting - just tear off one or more strips and apply.

  • 2" x 10" strips are the ideal size for many applications
  • Each 16\' (5m) roll includes 20 strips in its own dispenser box
  • Each roll comes a full-color poster with instructions for a variety of applications

ROCKTAPE has a tighter weave, greater elasticity and stronger adhesive than other kinesiology tapes. It stays on longer and provides enhanced support, even under the toughest conditions. It can be used to apply either compression to promote recovery, or decompression to relieve pain and swelling. This makes it a multipurpose tape for both therapeutic use and for performance enhancement. 

Availability: Last items in stock
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CureTape 3" X 16' Roll - Beige

$18.99 $21.99

CureTape is the number one professional tape in Europe, and is widely used by professionals worldwide. Developed with the aid of health professionals specially for use in the Medical Taping Concept style of taping, CureTape is backed by nearly 20 years of intensive research, practice, and development. This thorough process has lead to the development of a high quality cotton tape with an excellent adhesive that is perfect for therapeutic taping applications. 


CureTape is comprised of breathable, quick-drying premium grade cotton in a specialized weave that provides a stretch identical to human skin which makes it comfortable for the entire time it\'s worn. The heat-activated acryllic adhesive is gentle on the skin, but powerful enough to stay attached continuously for 3-5 days without peeling off. CureTape 3" wide single rolls are 3 inches wide and 16.5 feet long, enough tape for 10-12 average applications.

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CureTape 2" X 16" Single Rolls

$13.50 $14.99

CureTape is the number one professional tape in Europe, and is widely used by professionals worldwide. Developed with the aid of health professionals specially for use in the Medical Taping Concept style of taping, CureTape is backed by nearly 20 years of intensive research, practice, and development. This thorough process has lead to the development of a high quality cotton tape with an excellent adhesive that is perfect for therapeutic taping applications. 


CureTape is comprised of breathable, quick-drying premium grade cotton in a specialized weave that provides a stretch identical to human skin which makes it comfortable for the entire time it\'s worn. The heat-activated acryllic adhesive is gentle on the skin, but powerful enough to stay attached continuously for 3-5 days without peeling off. CureTape single rolls are 2 inches wide and 16.5 feet long, enough tape for 10-12 average applications.

Availability: Out of Stock
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CureTape Punch 2" X 16" Single Rolls

$13.50 $14.99

CureTape Punch comes in standard size 2 inch X 16.5 foot rolls. While it uses the same premium quality cotton and gentle but powerful adhesive as Classic CureTape, CureTape Punch has alternating rows of 2 and 3 holes punched into the tape, which gives it some qualities that are unique among kinesiology tapes.


The punches allow the tape to stretch along the height and the width, and allows the tape to apply pressure 3-dimensionally. This means that the tape provides increased stimulus and stretches skin and fascia due to the variations in pressure and stretch created by the openings, which has an increased effect on neurolymphatic and endorphine analgesic systems in the areas where it is applied. The openings also allow for greater ventilation of the skin, and allows the tape to dry more quickly after getting wet. 

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CrossLinq Small, Medium, OR Large Acupressure Tape Patches

$17.99 $18.50

This box Contains 20 Pages of Patches - Varies by per sheet.

CrossLinq Patches are easy peel-and-apply kinesiology tape precuts specially designed for use in relieving pressure in areas with bruising, lymph edema, and chronic pain or on acupuncture, acupressure, and trigger points. When applied to these areas, the grid pattern of the patches helps to lift and separate the skin and fascia and allow better drainage and flow of fluid to reduce pain and swelling.

CrossLinq patches come from the CureTape family of products, and are made up of the same fine, premium quality cotton backed with gentle and hypoallergenic but durable and waterproof medical adhesive that allows them to stay on comfortably for up to 7 days.

RockTape 4" Bulk Rolls

$292.00

RockTape "Big Daddy" is unique in the kinesiology taping industry - a supersized roll that is 4" wide and 105\' long. Big Daddy is perfect for larger areas like the thigh, lower back or IT band, allowing custom applications without cutting multiple strips.If you tape a lot and prefer to cut your own applications, you\'ll love this "widebody" roll that allows for complete customization for every situation. One Rock Tape 4" roll can accommodate 80-100 applications for individuals of all sizes.

Availability: Sold Out

RockTape HookGrip Tape for Thumbs

$22.00

HookGrip tape is designed to protect the thumbs of weightlifters when using the hookgrip* technique. Instead of a standard 16\' roll of RockTape, HookGrip Tape is precut into 32 strips, each 2" wide by 6" long - the perfect size for any thumb. Strips tear off easily for quick application. THat means less time taping and more time lifting!

  • protects thumbs and enhances grip during high volume barbell lifts
  • approved for use in all competition as long as thumb tip is not covered
  • developed with CrossFit legend Jason Khalipa, exclusively for RockTape
  • 32 strips = 16 lifting sessions per roll
  • 2" (5cm) width works for all thumbs
  • no scissors required - just tear off and apply

* Hookgrip - a method of holding a barbell by gripping the thumb between the barbell and the fingers, increasing grip strength when performing heavy lifts

Availability: Sold Out
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CureTape Giant Kinesiology Tape Rolls - Asst Colors

$79.99 $88.99

CureTape is the number one professional tape in Europe, and is widely used by professionals worldwide. Developed with the aid of health professionals specially for use in the Medical Taping Concept style of taping, CureTape is backed by nearly 20 years of intensive research, practice, and development. This thorough process has lead to the development of a high quality cotton tape with an excellent adhesive that is perfect for therapeutic taping applications. 

CureTape is comprised of breathable, quick-drying premium grade cotton in a specialized weave that provides a stretch identical to human skin which makes it comfortable for the entire time it\'s worn. The heat-activated acryllic adhesive is gentle on the skin, but powerful enough to stay attached continuously for 3-5 days without peeling off. CureTape Giant Rolls are 2 inches wide and 103 feet (5cm x 31.5m) long, enough tape for nearly 70 standard applications.

Availability: Sold Out

Equi-Tape Advantage 2" Equine Kinesiology Tape Roll

$16.95

Helps to decrease swelling and relieve pain

Relieves tight, sore muscles associated with training and work

Supports ligaments, tendons, and joints to help prevent injuries

Helps Increase suppleness, flexibility and strength

Improves training potential and athletic performance by helping horses train more efficiently and recover quicker

Extends the effects of other treatment modalities such as chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, and massage

Availability: Sold Out