More oxygen-rich blood can get to the area means a speedier, stronger recovery from an injury and bruising. Recent research (2017) presents strong findings that K-tape helps to create space within a joint – perfect for inflammation, its small increments but that means it can impact your circulation.The glue is heat activated (we will go through this later) and can last for about 3-4 days of workouts and showers due to its strong medical grade adhesive. Usually, there’s looser skin on your knee cap right? Bend your knee and the loose skin is tight – that is how K-tape will also work.īack to the tape – it’s designed similar to your skin, it is breathable and water-resistant (so it doesn’t just fall off in the shower or rainy runs like other tapes). Not sure what I mean? Do this: Straighten your leg and look at your knee. K-tape is a verrrrry stretchy cotton-nylon-mesh fabric tape (usually latex-free- but check brand to brand if you are allergic) designed with skin in mind.Kinesiology tape’s role is to allow movement of joints, whilst also supporting it – so it needs a stretchy nature (as does your skin). If you’re new to Kinesiology tape, was referred to the idea by a friend or fellow runner, whether you’ve had it applied before and not quite sure what it is the answers are all below. So, I’ve added pointers to this article both from research, from a runner and as a therapist perspective. Now, as a therapist, I understand this does not work for everyone, nor does it work for every rhyme and reason you’re actually applying it for. From easing swelling to aiding with pregnancy belly discomfort (especially for the pregnant runner) to getting you through races from muscle strains and everything in between. There is over 50 brands of K-tape on the market today (KT tape and RockTape for example) in all fancy colours and patterns (from bright pinks to tattooed style) and can be worked on every part of the body. * Not clinically proven for all injuries.Kinesiology tape, or K-tape for short, is a stretchy tape developed in the ’70s by Dr Kenzo Kase, a chiropractor who wanted a tape to support soft tissue injuries without limiting the bodies movement, in the way other athletic tapes do (for example, Zinc oxide tape is robust and rigid, perfect for ankle stability taping which is the properties of most other tapes out there – opposite to K-tape). These functions help relieve pain and promote the healing process. Functional support is provided to the musculature as well*. The KT Tape application for ITBS at the knee is very helpful in relieving much of the associated pain by relieving pressure over the bony prominence (sore spot) and in turn increases circulation*. Massage therapy and the use of a foam roller can also be helpful.

Typical treatment includes resting, icing, and light stretching. This application specifically addresses IT Band pain at the knee, but could also be used for any of the above. Examples of other lateral knee pain issues include LCL strains, fibular head problems, meniscus or cartilage damage, as well as arthritis and others. Many structures that are responsible for multiple types of movement meet here, and any of them can become inflamed and swollen. Though ITBS is very common, pain at the lateral knee can be caused by any number of issues. Often the knee feels like it is “seizing”, and the sore spot is typically painful to the touch. Pain is usually most noticeable when running downhill and can range from a sharp sensation on the outside of the knee to pain along the entire IT Band. Knee pain symptomsįriction and irritation is common as the IT band crosses a bony prominence on the outside of the knee on its way to the shinbone. But, any movement that repeatedly causes the knee to pass back and forth across the 30-degree position can create ITBS at the knees. Knee injury problemsįrequently ITBS is seen in runner’s who are often running on banked surfaces, doing excessive hill training, or running up and down stairs or bleachers. The IT Band is responsible for moving the leg away from the body, internal rotation of hip, knee extension, and knee flexion (under particular conditions). Chances are that if you have pain on the outside of the knee and are active, or have had a rapid increase in activity, you are suffering from issues involving the IT Band at the knee. Along with ITBS hip pain, it accounts for more than 12% of all running injuries. Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) is the most prevalent cause of lateral (outside) knee pain in athletes.

It band kt tape knee