Over the past 6 months, I’ve had my knee taped up almost every way you could imagine. I’m starting to feel like Humpty Dumpty, only the “back together again” part isn’t quite working out yet.
Time to try another round of tape:
(That tape goes all the way through my shorts and out the top. Yes, it was as awkward as you’d think to have it put there.)
This time the kinesio tape is supposed to “deactivate” my IT band so it won’t get tight when I run.
Time to go test it out…. 
PT was a bit of a disappointment this morning. The trainer said I was making good progress and could tell I was being a good patient at home (which is good!), so all I did this morning was some foam rolling and 10 more minutes on the elliptical. What?! No “massage”?! 🙁
All I could think was, “Oh come on!” I can do that stuff at home- I am doing that stuff at home! But oh well, at least it was because I was doing well. I did convince the trainer to tape me up like she promised though.
Check out the new style I’m rocking:
Kinesiology taping can be used for support, but also for “fascia control”. The way I’m taped right now is to help (hopefully) loosen the band- not to support my knee. My IT band is taped in an “m” shape- the parts of the band between the m-humps are what the tape is targeting. As the tape recoils, it should help loosen the band of fascia- hence “fascia control”.
The athletic trainer isn’t sure whether it will do anything or not for me, but I’m willing to give anything a try!
– No lotions or potions on your skin!
– Warm up the area first- the trainer had me elliptical to get the blood flowing and warm up my leg. (Is elliptical a verb?)
– Once the tape is applied, rub gently to warm. (The adhesive is heat-activated.) After initial taping, don’t apply heat (ice is ok).
– Don’t get it wet for at least 45 minutes.
– When taking it off- completely saturate it with water or coat it in olive oil to help loosen the adhesive. The longer it’s on, the harder it’ll be to get off.
– You can leave it on for 3-5 days, but if it irritates your skin or hurts, take it off.
Ever used kinesio tape?! I’m looking forward to trying tape for knee support once I get more active. 🙂
