Ten Tips for Getting Kinesiology Tape to Stick

Kinesiology tape has many benefits - it helps alleviate pain, reduces inflammation and swelling, improves circulation and lymphatic drainage, and provides support without limiting range of motion.   Because it continues to provide therapeutic benefits the entire time it is applied, maximizing the time it is worn will help you get the most from every application. Following these 10 tips should help ensure your kinesiology tape application stays on for 3-5 days, even while showering, swimming, or exercising:

1. Clean the skin prior to application It is essential that skin be free of lotions and even natural oils before the tape is applied. Cleaning the skin with rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer or a pre-taping spray such as PerformPrep or Rock Sauce immediately before applying the tape is critical.

2. Avoid touching the adhesive before application Because the adhesive is designed for a single use, touching it prior to application will cause the tape to be less sticky. A good technique is to tear the adhesive a couple of inches from the end of the strip, then remove the backing from this short end and apply it first. Gradually remove the backing from the rest of the tape, smoothing it down with your other hand.

3. Make sure all ends are applied directly to skin Kinesiology tape sticks well to skin, but not so well to itself. If strips cross over each other, be sure that every strip ends on skin.

Rub Tape to Activate the Adhesive

4. Activate the adhesive Kinesiology tape is made with an acrylic adhesive that is heat-activated. The easiest way to activate the adhesive is to rub the tape lightly and briskly from the center toward the ends of each strip. This can be done with the bare hands or the backing paper from the tape. Do not rub from the ends toward the center – if you catch an edge and it lifts from the skin, it will not re-adhere.

5. Apply the ends of the tape with no stretch The final 2-3″ of every strip should be applied with no stretch. Stretching the ends of the tape make  it easier for the ends to lift away from the skin, and is also the most common cause of rashes and skin irritation.

6. Round the corners before applying tape Rounding the corners of every strip before applying the tape is very helpful in preventing the edges from lifting prematurely. The quickest way to do this is to fold the tape in half, then cut two corners at once.

7. Give the tape some time to stick Allow at least an hour after applying kinesiology tape before engaging in any activity (exercise, swimming or showering) that will generate moisture under the tape.

8. Don’t apply the tape to moist skin If kinesiology tape is applied too soon after exercising, swimming or showering, the moisture can prevent the adhesive from sticking. Kinesiology tape can withstand heavy perspiration after the adhesive has had time to set and generally lasts about 3-5 days when applied properly.

performprep

9. Use an adhesive spray on areas that are prone to friction Kinesiology tape is seldom wrapped completely around a joint or muscle, which means the ends of the tape are not protected from contact with pads, clothing or bodily contact. In these situations, it is recommended to use an additional adhesive spray on the ends of the tape to prevent them from being lifted. Commercial products include PerformStik by PerformTex or Cramer Tuff Skin. For a quick fix, try spritzing some hair spray under the edges of the tape before applying. 

10. Be mindful of excessive body hair While small amounts of hair should not interfere with the tape, excessive amounts will prevent the tape from adhering directly to the skin. Shaving or clipping the hair close to the skin (1/8”) is recommended for such areas.

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Ten Tips for Getting Kinesiology Tape to Stick

There are 147 products.

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SpiderTech Precut Full Knee Tape

$7.99 $8.99

The SpiderTech Full Knee Spider relieves pain and inflammation from a wide variety of knee conditions. It provides full coverage above and below the knee to support the most serious injuries. It can help with:



  • Runner\'s, Jumper\'s, Cyclist\'s Knee
  • Patellar tendinitis
  • Arthritis or bursitis of the knee
  • Kneecap pain
  • Degenerated or torn cartilage/meniscus
  • Strained knee ligaments
  • Recovery after knee surgery



* Contains 1 single-use application with 3-5 day wear-time.

Availability: Sold Out

KT Tape Pro Extreme Single Roll - 20 Precut Strips

$22.99

KT Tape Pro Extreme is the toughest, stickiest kinesiology tape in the entire KT Tape product line. Pro Extreme\'s extra-strength adhesive was formulated to deal with kinesiology taping\'s worst enemies - high heat, high humidity, wet conditions, oily skin, or any combination thereof.



    • 100% synthetic microfiber tape with reflective pattern

    • ultra-strong adhesive lasts up to 7 days

    • hard plastic carrying case protects your tape

    • convenient, precut "I" strips - no scissors needed

    • latex and zinc-free



Each roll contains 20 precut 10" strips of KT Tape Pro Extreme kinesiology tape and includes a Quick Start Guide with step-by-step instructions for common injuries.

Availability: Product available with different options
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KT Tape Pro Extreme Jumbo Roll - 150 Precut Strips

$79.99 $95.99

KT Tape Pro Extreme is the toughest, stickiest kinesiology tape in the entire KT Tape product line. Pro Extreme\'s extra-strength adhesive was formulated to deal with kinesiology taping\'s worst enemies - high heat, high humidity, wet conditions, oily skin, or any combination thereof.



    • 100% synthetic microfiber tape with reflective pattern

    • ultra-strong adhesive lasts up to 7 days

    • extra large jumbo roll with 150 precut 10" strips

    • no scissors needed - just tear off strips and apply

    • latex and zinc-free



Each roll contains 150 precut 10" strips of KT Tape Pro Extreme kinesiology tape and includes a Quick Start Guide with step-by-step instructions for common injuries.

Availability: Product available with different options

PerformTex Kinesiology Tape Scissors

$30.00

PerformTex Kinesiology Tape Scissors are super sleek and super sharp - the ideal combination for kinesiology taping. Constructed from premium grade stainless steel with florin-resin coating on the blades, these scissors will allow you to cut the narrowest strips and perfectly rounded corners without fraying or raveling.


Light weight and perfectly balanced, these are the scissors of choice of skilled kinesiology taping practitioners.



  • premium grade stainless steel construction with razor sharp blades

  • florin resin coated blades to prevent adhesive build up

  • perfectly balanced for precision cutting

  • protective carrying case included

Availability: Sold Out
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Kindmax Precut Calf & Achilles Tape

$4.49 $6.99

Easy-to-apply kinesiology tape support for calf or achilles tendon pain. Illustrated step by step instructions in every package. Great for:

  • Achilles tendinitis
  • Strained or fatigued calf muscles
  • Calf cramps or spasms
  • Ruptured or torn plantaris
  • Recovery after surgery
Availability: Sold Out
  • -$0.00

Kindmax Precut Elbow Tape

$4.49 $6.99

Easy-to-apply kinesiology tape support for elbow pain. Can be applied to inner, outer or back of elbow. Great for:

  • Tennis elbow
  • Golfer\'s elbow
  • Bursitis or arthritis
  • Tendon or ligament injuries
  • Recovery after elbow surgery

Availability: Sold Out
  • -$0.00

Kindmax Precut Knee Tape

$4.49 $6.99

Easy-to-apply kinesiology tape support for knee pain and inflammation. Illustrated step by step instructions in every package. Great for:

  • Runner\'s jumper\'s or cyclist\'s knee
  • Arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis
  • Cartilage or meniscus injuries
  • Ligament or tendon injuries
  • Recovery after back surgery
Availability: Sold Out
  • -$0.00

Kindmax Precut Lower Back Tape

$4.49 $6.99

Easy-to-apply kinesiology tape support for the lower back. Illustrated step by step instructions in every package. Great for:

  • Lower back pain, stiffness or spasms
  • Strained lower back muscles
  • Back fatigue or weakness
  • Arthritis or disc-related pain
  • Recovery after surgery

Availability: Product available with different options
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Kindmax Precut Neck Tape

$4.49 $6.99

Easy-to-apply kinesiology tape support for pain, spasms or stiffness in the neck, upper back or upper shoulder area. Illustrated step by step instructions in every package. Great for:

  • Neck pain, stiffness or spasms
  • Strained or fatigued neck muscles
  • Cervical disc disease or arthritis
  • Weak or imbalanced neck muscles
  • Recovery after surgery

Availability: Sold Out
  • -$0.00

Kindmax Precut Shoulder Tape

$4.49 $6.99

Easy-to-apply kinesiology tape support for shoulder or upper arm pain. Illustrated step by step instructions in every package. Great for:

  • Deltoid strain or overuse
  • Tendinitis in the shoulder or upper arm
  • Arthritis or bursitis
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Recovery after surgery
Availability: Sold Out
  • -$0.00

Kindmax Precut Wrist Tape

$4.49 $6.99

Easy-to-apply kinesiology tape support for wrist pain. Can be applied to top or bottom of wrist. Great for::

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Sprained or strained wrist
  • Arthritis in wrist or hand
  • Tendinitis in wrist flexor or extensor muscles
  • Recovery after wrist surgery
Availability: Sold Out
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SpiderTech Precut Ankle, Achilles, Shin Tape

$7.99 $8.99

The SpiderTech Ankle Spider is a precut kinesiology tape for the ankle, shin and achilles tendon. It covers the shin, top of the foot, bottom of the foot, heel and Achilles tendon. It can help with:



  • shin splints
  • Achille\'s tendinitis
  • plantar fasciitis
  • tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • Achille\'s tendon enthesopathy
  • ankle sprains
  • ankle instability
  • recovery from surgery



* Contains 1 single-use application with 3-5 day wear time.

Availability: Sold Out
  • -$0.00

SpiderTech PreCut Elbow Tape

$7.99 $8.99

The SpiderTech Elbow Spider is a precut kinesiology tape for the elbow and forearm. It can be worn on either the inside or outside of the elbow. It can help with:



  • tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
  • golfer\'s elbow (medial epicondylitis)
  • muscle, ligament or tendon injuries of the elbow or forearm
  • olecranon bursitis
  • arthritis or bursitis of the elbow
  • elbow enthesopathy
  • cubital tunnel syndrome



* Contains 1 single-use application with 3-5 day wear time.

Availability: Sold Out
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RockSauce Fire Skin Prep and Pain Reliever

$43.00 $44.99

Say hello to hot! RockSauce is a topical pain relief cream that works by providing incredibly strong heating sensations that last for hours – with powerful ingredients like menthol and capsaicin that work together to soothe sore joints and muscles. Best of all, it can be used with RockTape – it soaks right through, without compromising stickiness – delivering pain relief in combination with the power of kinesiology tape. Available in 2 sizes:



    • 6% menthol - stronger than other topical analgesics

    • cooling sensation lasts for hours after application

    • store in the fridge for extra-strength relief

    • can be used as skin prep before taping or applied through tape without affecting adhesive

    • 3 oz Roll-On - keeps your hands clean and clear of the powerful active ingredients. Take it anywhere, apply it anytime with no mess and no hassle

    • 32 oz Pump Bottle - ideal for busy clinics, athletic trainers and other high volume users

Availability: Product available with different options

5-Pack Kindmax Precut Foot Tape

$34.95

Easy-to-apply kinesiology tape support for foot and arch pain. Illustrated step by step instructions in every package. Great for:



  • Plantar fasciitis

  • Arch pain, fallen arches

  • Tendinitis or arthritis in the foot

  • Swollen, aching or tired feet

  • Recovery after foot surgery


* Contains 5 packages, each with 2 single-use applications with a wear time of 3-5 days.

Availability: Sold Out

5-Pack Kindmax Precut Shoulder Tape

$34.95

Easy-to-apply kinesiology tape support for shoulder or upper arm pain. Illustrated step by step instructions in every package. Great for:

  • Deltoid strain or overuse
  • Tendinitis in the shoulder or upper arm
  • Arthritis or bursitis
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Recovery after surgery


* Contains 5 packages, each with 1 single-use application with a wear time of 3-5 days.

Availability: Sold Out