What Is KT Tape?

Growing up I have always been super active juggling multiple sports a year until I went college. In middle school, when I was about 13-years-old, I suffered from an osteochondral injury in both of my ankles eventually leading to surgery on one of them.

Fast forward…I am now 26-years-old and I have been in a boot 4 times since surgery with torn ligaments from my unstable joints which would lead to fluid buildup from time to time. I have seen countless doctors who tell me surgery would be a huge risk and my active lifestyle has to be put on the back burner for good. Obviously, being so active my entire life this is something I didn’t take lightly, it’s just not who I am.

I have tried bulky braces, thin braces, plated braces and the list goes on. Doing some research I found out about KT Tape. KT Tape is an elastic sports tape designed to relieve pain while supporting muscles, tendons, and ligaments….of course I had to check it out!

How Does It Work?

When an area of the body is injured through impact or over-use, the lymphatic fluid builds up causing inflammation and swelling, something I get from time to time like I mentioned above. This accumulation of lymphatic fluids may cause increased pressure on muscles and tissue which can cause significant discomfort or pain.

When applied correctly, KT Tape lifts the skin, decompressing the layers of fascia, allowing for greater movement of lymphatic fluid which transports white blood cells throughout the body and removes waste products, cellular debris, and bacteria.

**For the correct way to apply based on your needs please see instructions HERE!

Why Use It?

KT Tape helps reduce pressure to the tissue and may reduce discomfort or pain depending on your injury. When applied correctly, taping also provides support to muscles by improving the muscle’s ability to contract, even when it is weak, and helps the muscle to not over-extend or over-contract.

Who Should Use It?

KT Tape is designed with you in mind. No matter if you are a super star athlete getting ready for your big game, an active swimmer, looking to reach a personal fitness goal, or just trying o get through the day.

KT Tape is light weight, comfortable to wear, and can be used for hundreds of common injuries such as lower back pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, sprained ankles, tennis elbow and so much more. KT Tape provides pain relief and support so you NEVER have to slow down…i’m literally proof.

My doctors told me I need to find activities with little to no impact on my joints, so pretty much every sport I have grown to love I could no longer participate in. Even long walks, hiking, and light swift movement was a struggle for me before KT Tape. Once I applied it to my ankles I literally never looked back. Although I still need to be aware of my activity level for the first time post surgery I was able to go for a hike with friends and not have massive swelling the next day!

What Is KT Tape Made Of?

KT Tape Original and Gentle Tape are made of 100% cotton fibers with specialized elastic cores.

KT Tape PRO, PRO Extreme and PRO X are made using a highly engineered, ultra-durable synthetic fabric with 30% stronger elastic cores. Both the cotton and synthetic materials create unidirectional elasticity which allows the tape to stretch in length but not in width. As a result, the elastic fibers provide stable support without restricting range of motion like a traditional rigid athletic tape.

KT Tape PRO’s fibers allow for moisture release which is critical for comfort and wearability. As a result, the tape provides greater comfort over a longer period.

KT Tape’s specially formulated adhesive is latex-free, hypo-allergenic, and designed to last through humidity, sweat and showers, and multiple days of wear.

My Favorite Products

KT Tape Pro
This is one of my favorite products they offer because of how durable it is. The KT Tape Pro support is like no other. It’s meant to endure your toughest workout. Coming in a variety of 10 colors, you can choose anything from pink to jet black and everything in between. I like to use this one while going for runs, working out in the gym and even during yoga!

 
KT Tape Pro Extreme
I absolutely LOVE the KT Tape Pro Extreme! It’s great while hiking, competing, and swimming….yes, it’s water resistant! With the KT Tape Pro Extreme I know for a fact I am covered during any workout. I even keep this tape on up to 7 days for consistent relief.

 
Blister Tape
The Blister Tape is a LIFE SAVER for me…literally! I like to wear this with my cleats, running shoes, and even wedges when i’m going out to a nice dinner and i’m wearing my shoes for the first time. I can’t believe I haven’t discovered this earlier. Yeah Band-Aids stick for an hour or so, but this Blister Tape is the real deal and will have you covered the entire way!

Fianl Verdict

KT Tape is seriously life changing for me. I have struggled with my diagnosis of not being able to do what I love, pushing my limits and re-injuring myself consistently. Since using KT Tape my swelling is at a minimum and I am able to do activities I enjoy the most without pain the next day. After a recent trip to the doctor, he couldn’t believe how great my ankle looked compared to its usual swelling. I seriously recommend this to all of our readers you won’t regret it!