Our very own YumSugar shared her thoughts in the RunningSugar community group about using KT Tape (a sports injury tape) while running the half in the San Francisco Marathon this year. I’ve been curious about KT Tape , the bright-colored sports injury tape seen on athletes like Kerri Walsh , forever. This year, I had a first experience trying it out on myself. I had the opportunity to test it out at the San Francisco Marathon expo, where the Utah-based folks at KT Tape set up a station. It was my first trip to a race day expo; I had no idea what business race day expos are! For those unfamiliar, KT Tape is an elastic kinesiology tape made of specially woven cotton that promises to provide “pain relief, stability, and support” for injuries ranging from IT band syndrome to runner’s knee to rotator cuff pain. I considered myself the perfect candidate, as I was going to be running the half marathon portion with several persistent injuries. See what YumSugar thought of KT Tape when you read more. I saddled up on the medical bench, and the KT Tape professionals quickly got to wrapping me up like a Christmas present. First, they showed me how to tape up my ankle for posterior tib tendonitis , and then for shin splints as well, instructing me

when to flex and when to relax my injured left leg. The tape seemed easy enough to apply, with simple-to-remove adhesive backing, and when I stood up, my leg felt comfortable, albeit supported – kind of like I had a bra on my shin and ankle. My race was the next day, and the tape held up nicely during the half. It didn’t have an intense effect, but rather acted as light support and a bit of a reminder to correct my running form whenever it felt off during the 13.1 miles. It even stayed on nicely after an ice bath and a shower, although it did begin to really fray after about two days (showers included). It didn’t resolve my injury (I am still recovering and on running hiatus six months and a few MRIs later!), but it did alleviate symptoms and provide support to injured areas. You can pick it up for around $13 at Target and most sporting goods stores around the country. What’s been your experience with KT Tape? If you’re already an avid runner or are thinking about starting it up in 2011, become a member of RunningSugar so you can post your own questions, thoughts, and revelations about this outstanding form of exercise.

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A Reader Asks, KT Tape: Does It Work?