Shin Splints and a KT Tape Review

I think I mentioned awhile ago that I was having some minor shin pain - you could call it 'almost shin splints.' The pain would be present for the first mile or two of my run, mostly go away and then sometimes return at the end of longer runs. I didn't have pain when walking or going up or down stairs like I have when I've gotten shin splints in the past, but the muscles along my shin were tender to the touch, even on non-running days.



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 I have had this pain before and it usually occurs when I am resuming a running program (this time I had been off running for nearly 3 months) or when I have started incorporating speedwork. In the past I focused on wearing running shoes everywhere (no high heals or fancy boots) and doing an ice/heat regimen twice a day. This time I also decided to give kinesiology tape a try. I picked p a box of KT Tape at a local running store.

How does KT Tape work? The website says:

KT Tape is applied along muscles, ligaments, and tendons (soft tissue) to provide a lightweight, strong, external support that helps to prevent injury and speed recovery. KT Tape works differently for different injuries... Depending on how it is applied, KT Tape supports, enables, or restricts soft tissue and its movement.

One of my biggest fears about using kinesiology tape is that I would not know how to apply it correctly. KT Tape makes it easy because the box comes with precut strips and step-by-step instructions for every common injury from head to toe (plus videos on the website). And, if your pain is not listed in the included instructions you can submit your question on their website and they will send you custom application instructions!

The instructions for shin splints were very easy. The strips are 10" long and each strip separates into a Y shape. For each leg I used two strips. The first strip started on the bottom of my foot and then ran vertical up along my shin bone. I used the second strip to wrap horizontally around my calf to hold in the first piece in half. The tape comes in many colors but I decided to go with red (now that the weather is getting a bit warmer I think I will pick up some beige tape so I won't look like a total freak when I'm running around with my legs all taped up).

Last week I applied the tape before my Monday morning run and then left it on for several days after. The tape can be worn for up to five days. I haven't tried leaving it on that long, but it did last several days and stayed stuck well even after several showers. I also tried the tape for my 11 mile run last weekend and while I still had some pain at the beginning and end of the run, I found that I didn't have the residual pain after and my shins were not sore to the touch the next day either.

I should mention that the removal was simple and painless (unlike band-aids) and it didn't leave gooey adhesive on my legs either. Overall, I give KT tape two thumbs up. I would highly recommend trying it for any minor sports injury. Check your local running store or find an online retailer on their website.


I was not compensated for this review in anyway. I discovered, purchased and tested the KT Tape all on my own.