How Kinesiology Tape Helps with Lymphatic Drainage

Lymphatic VesselsWhat is the Lymphatic System?

Similar to the circulatory system of blood vessels that carry blood, the lymphatic system consists of lymph vessels that carry lymphatic fluid. The two systems are intertwined throughout the body, with the circulatory system delivering oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and the lymphatic system removing substances, including excess fluids, cellular debris and infectious organisms. Another difference between the two systems is that while the heart pumps blood through the circulatory system, the lymphatic system doesn't have a pump. Instead, it relies on other mechanisms such as osmotic pressure and muscle action to move fluids through its vessels. The lymphatic system is the main mechanism for reducing swelling and edema in the body.

How Does Kinesiology Tape Help with Lymphatic Drainage?

When kinesiology tape is applied to an inflamed or swollen area, the lifting motion of the tape creates a space between the top layer of skin and the underlying tissues. This space creates a pressure gradient between this area and the surrounding tissues that allows fluids to move into the lymphatic vessels and be eliminated from the body.  In addition, enhanced muscle activation increases the muscle pump pushing more fluid through the lymphatic vessels. The result? Swelling goes down, pain is relieved, and the healing process is accelerated. How Kinesiology Tape Relieves Swelling and Edema

fan cut kinesio tape for edemaKinesiology Tape “Fan Strips” for Lymphatic Drainage

To reduce swelling and edema, you need a specialized type of kinesiology tape called fan strips or edema strips. These strips have a short solid end with the rest of the tape separated into thin strips. They are called fan strips because they are applied in a fan-like pattern over the area of swelling or bruising. This lifts the skin over the lymphatic channels in the area, assisting them in removing excess fluids. These precut strips can safely and gently relieve swelling from surgery, medical conditions or injuries, including swollen feet and ankles, sprains, lymphedema, and ankle edema related to pregnancy or congestive heart failure.

Where to Buy K-Tape Fan Strips or Edema Strips

Several kinesiology tape brands make precut “fan” strips, including Nasara’s QuickStrips for Edema, , Kinesio Fan Cuts or the SpiderTech Large Fan Spider. Have a roll or precut strip of kinesiology tape? In our next blog, we’ll show you how to cut your own fan strips for lymphatic taping along with some easy to follow applications. Don’t forget to check out Theratape on Pinterest. While you’re there, be sure to check out our board on Edema.

How Kinesiology Tape Helps with Lymphatic Drainage

There are 67 products.

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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

SpiderTech Tape - Gentle

$14.99

SpiderTech Tape is the only kinesiology tape that comes with either regular or gentle adhesive. It contains no latex or medications, just soft, breathable cotton with a hypoallergenic acrylic adhesive. Moisture flows easily from the tape, allowing it to stay on 3-5 days, even through swimming or showering.

Single rolls of SpiderTape are perfect for sport bags, travel kits and home use. Each 16.4\' (5m) roll has enough tape for numerous applications. Gentle adhesive is available only in beige.

Availability: Out of Stock
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RockTape Rx Gentle Adhesive Bulk Rolls

$108.00 $112.00

RockTape Rx is a gentle adhesive version of RockTape, designed for individuals who are less active or those with sensitive skin. It possesses all of RockTape\'s premium features, but less adhesive makes it gentler on the skin and easier to remove. It can be used to treat sports injuries as well as non-sport related medical conditions. RockTape Rx is an ideal tape for special patient populations such as pediatrics, geriatrics, neurological disorders and pregnancy.

Available in 5 colors - beige, black, light blue, pink and red. Bulk roll sizes only.

  • gentle, hypoallergenic adhesive for sensitive skin
  • latex and zinc-free
  • 97% cotton, 3% nylon
  • water resistant - safe for swimming and showering
  • 30-60 applications per 105\' bulk roll
  • comes with full-color application instruction poster
Availability: Out of Stock - Backorders Allowed

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

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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: Backorders Allowed
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RockTape Rx Gentle Adhesive Single Rolls

$23.20 $24.99

RockTape Rx is a gentle adhesive version of RockTape, designed for individuals who are less active or those with sensitive skin. It possesses all of RockTape\'s premium features, but less adhesive makes it gentler on the skin and easier to remove. It can be used to treat sports injuries as well as non-sport related medical conditions. RockTape Rx is an ideal tape for special patient populations such as pediatrics, geriatrics, neurological disorders and pregnancy.

Available in 5 colors - beige, black, light blue, pink and red. Bulk roll sizes only.

  • gentle, hypoallergenic adhesive for sensitive skin
  • latex and zinc-free
  • 97% cotton, 3% nylon
  • water resistant - safe for swimming and showering
  • comes with full-color application instruction poster
Availability: Product available with different options
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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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Kinesio Tex Performance+ 2" Single Rolls

$17.99 $19.99

Kinesio Tex Performance+ is an exciting new twist on Kinesio\'s tried and true line of kinesiology tapes. Performance Plus Tape combines the best features of Kinesio Tex Classic and Kinesio Tex Gold FP to create the perfect kinesiology tape for everyday use. While Gold FP targets surface tissue and Kinesio Tex Classic targets deeper muscles, Kinesio Tex Performance+ meets in the middle to provide support and pressure relief for the fascia and muscles between these two layers. Using a unique 50/50 cotton/polyester blend, a snowflake style, and Kinesio\'s patented wave adhesive pattern, Performance+ tape provides the deep muscle support you need and the shallow muscle/skin decompression your muscles with thank you for! 

Each roll comes pre-wound on a sturdy plastic dispensing spool that protects your tape wherever you take it and the side port lets you unwind and rewind it without ever having to take the tape out! Each  2" x 16.4\' roll provides an average of 8-12 applications.

Availability: Product available with different options
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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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Vetkin Veterinary Tape 2.4" X 16' Uncut Roll

$16.99 $17.50

Unlike many other tapes who simply increase the amount of adhesive or package it differently, the creators of Vetkin worked cooperatively with veterinary institutes, olympic teams, ISELP, and the Equine and Canine Institutes to develop a tape specifically for veterinary applications. While it uses the same high quality cotton material base as CureTape, it undergoes a specialized drying process when combined with the adhesive to create a tape that has 35% stronger adhesion, but is easier to remove from the coat than traditional CureTape. It comes in a 2.4 inch (6cm) wide and 16.5 foot long roll which means you get 20% more tape per roll than a traditional 2 inch (5cm) wide roll for about 12 applications per roll.

Availability: Sold Out
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CureTape Sports 2" X 16" Single Rolls

$13.50 $14.99

CureTape Sports is a kinesiolgy tape specially designed for use on patients who are undergoing intensive physical therapy which also makes it excellent for everyday athletes. Instead of traditional cotton, CureTape Sports is comprised of viscose, a hypoallergenic semi-synthetic fiber with a natural base that allows for 160% stretch to provide increased snapback and muscle activation. The makeup also makes this tape fast-drying and gives the surface a reflective sheen.  The adhesive backing is approximately 30% stronger than traditional tapes, which increases the bond strength and allows for 4-7 day wear time of the tape even in water and extreme conditions. CureTape Sports also includes TUV Certification and undergoes intensive in-house quality assurance. Each roll is 2 inches wide and 16.5 feet long, enough tape for 10-12 average applications.

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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.

Kinesio Tex Gold FP 1" Rolls (2-Pack)

$14.99

Kinesio Tex Gold FP provides major advances in quality, comfort, grip, stimulation and adhesion. FP stands for FingerPrint Technology, the new, patented adhesive pattern that resembles the swirls on our fingertips. Combined with a higher quality cotton and upgraded weave process, this advanced KinesioTape offers greater comfort, longer wear and enhanced therapeutic benefits.

These narrower 1" wide rolls are ideal for infants and children or smaller body part such as the hand, foot, fingers, toes and face. Made from the new Kinesio Tex Gold FP Tape these rolls are 1 inch wide (half the width of standard 2" tape) and 16.4 feet long. This narrow width can be used to create lymphatic fan or web patterns with less cutting than regular tape, It can also be used for support or corrective applications on the hands, feet or face.

* Each box contains two rolls, 1" x 16.4\'.

RockTape 4" Single Rolls

$56.00

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
Availability: Last items in stock
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Kinesio Classic Fan Cuts - Pack of 12

$14.49 $15.49

Fan taping is a simple and effective way to reduce swelling, bruising, and even the severe swelling associated with lymphedema. Applying the tails of the fan tape over the affected area lifts the skin microscopically, enhancing lymphatic drainage. This allows accumulated fluid to drain away, dramtically reducing both edema and the appearance of bruising.  The use of Kinesio Taping is so effective that it has become a standard treatment in lymphedema treatment plans. While it used to be tedious work to cut strips of KinesioTape into the thin "tails" required for lymphatic drainage, the introduction of precut Kinesio Fan Strips has made lymphatic taping quick and easy.

* Package contains twelve 2" x 12" fan strips - 3 beige, 3 black, 3 blue and 3 pink.

Availability: Sold Out