

Some athletes choose to shave anywhere tape will touch, and then tape directly to the skin.
#KT TAPE ANKLE SKIN#
Pre-WrapĪthletic tape sticking to leg hair and skin is a recipe for discomfort.

This will help to prevent blisters and chafing around the ankle and on the bridge of your foot. Get two non-adhesive pads-like gauze- that you put on the front and back of the ankle. When you’re using athletic tape, you’ll take a different approach than when you’re using kinesio tape.Ĭlean the ankle and make sure that both the ankle and foot are dry. It’s not uncommon to see athletes running with kinesio tape. Sports podiatrists and running coaches will often use kinesio tape to support stretched ligaments, weak ankles, sprains, or inflamed tendons.

The downside is that the stretch also means it provides less support. The upside of the stretch is that it allows better performance. It can also be used for 5 to 7 days, and will stay on even after you’ve showered. It will support the ankle without restricting your range of motion. Unlike athletic tape, kinesio tape (sometimes called KT tape) has more stretch to it. It’s best to use this tape for less than a day, as its rigidity can have an effect on your circulation. It shouldn’t be worn for extended periods of time. It’s important to note that athletic tape is designed to restrict movement. It can also be used after an injury to provide stability and support to the ankle to prevent further injury. It’s best to be used for stabilizing an injured ankle. Athletic TapeĪthletic tape is rigid and doesn’t provide much stretch. When it comes to taping your ankle, there are two different types of tape that can be used: athletic tape, or kinesio tape. The tape needs to be snug to reduce any instability, but your joint still needs blood. Good circulation is just as important as good support, so be sure to find the balance. When you tape the ankle, make sure that it’s not so tight that it restricts blood flow. This will prevent you from over-exercising or re-injuring it. Running with a taped ankle will also create more awareness of what and where your ankle is while you run. Once your ankle has healed, taping it before your run will help to provide the ligaments and muscles with additional stability and support. That can lead to instability, which in turn could result in more sprains. With each sprain, the structure of the ankle can weaken.

Taping the ankle will also reduce the risk of re-injuring it within the next 48 to 72 hours. It’s one part of the RICE recovery recipe, compression decreases inflammation and provides stability. If you’ve sprained your ankle, taping it provides compression.
#KT TAPE ANKLE HOW TO#
Let’s take a look at the benefits of taping an ankle for running, and how to do it effectively. Taping your ankle comes with a few benefits for when you’re recovering from an injury, as well as after the injury. You could purchase an ankle brace or let it heal on its own. Even with rest and ice, you may not be able to put pressure on your ankle for a few weeks. Such injuries are both painful and annoying. Other times, you might just trip and fall.Ī sudden fall can cause ankle pain, whether it’s a strain, sprain, or something else. Running comes with risks, and a very common one is overuse injuries.
