A Guide to Kinesiology Tape
Kinesiology tape is booming. Everywhere we look, the brightly colored tape is adorning the skin of athletes, sports enthusiasts, and those of us who want to relieve pain, receive support and speed healing to our weak or injured muscles. There are an abundance of brands and colors to choose from, along with several different categories of tape. But how do you know which type of kinesiology tape is right for you or your specific injury? Here’s our brief guide to the types of tape currently available:
Single RollsSingle rolls of kinesiology tape are approximately 16 feet long, providing enough tape for 10-12 average applications. Because of their convenient size and low price, they are the most popular type of tape available. Single rolls are offered by all major brands, and come in a wide variety of colors, patterns, widths, and adhesives. Specialty formats in single roll sizes include:
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Bulk RollsDepending on the brand, bulk rolls of kinesiology tape are equivalent to 6-7 single rolls. Available in a variety of colors and patterns, roll lengths range from 105' to 115', allowing for up to 100 applications from a roll. Savings can be significant over the cost of buying the equivalent amount of tape in smaller roll sizes. These rolls are often used in health care settings or by trainers or athletes who use kinesiology tape on a daily basis. Specialty formats in bulk roll sizes include:
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Precut StripsPrecut strips bridge the gap between rolls and precut applications for specific body parts. Individual strips can be easily torn off of a roll, and then used in either an “I” or a “Y” format. Kinesiology tape precut strips are machine cut with rounded corners, eliminating the fraying that can occur when the tape is cut with scissors. They can be applied quickly in a variety of combinations, but still allow for significant customization. Specialty formats in precut strips include:
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Precut Applications for Specific Body PartsPrecut applications are a great way to get your feet wet with kinesiology taping. They are ideal for people who want to apply their own kinesiology tape, but don’t have any training or experience. The back of each application is serrated and labeled, making it easy to apply the tape one section at a time, according to the step-by-step instructions. They’re also the handiest items to have on hand for athletic injury emergency, requiring no measuring or cutting to apply properly. Precut kinesiology tape applications are available for the foot, ankle, calf, shin, knee, hamstring, groin, hip, lower back, upper back, neck, shoulder, elbow and wrist. There are also fan cut applications to relieve swelling and edema by enhancing lymphatic drainage. Precut applications include: Precut applications are recommended for:
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Gentle Kinesiology TapeKinesiology tape with a special gentle adhesive is designed especially for individuals with sensitive or fragile skin. These products are also suitable for both pediatric and geriatric populations. They provide slightly less structural support than regular kinesiology tape, but the pain relief benefits are just as powerful. Examples of gentle kinesiology tape: Gentle kinesiology tape is recommended for:
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