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KT Tape: A Love Story

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I received free product samples for the purpose of this review. The opinions expressed here are 100% mine. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Policy for more information.

This is no ordinary product review.

Why, you ask? (you ask, right?) Because the vast majority of the products that I review are brand new to me. I’m trying them out for the first time and then sharing my experience with you.

But this time around, I was asked to review a product that I already use, LOVE, and recommend to everyone I know. So in the interest of full disclosure, this is probably less product review, more love fest.

What Is KT Tape?

KT Tape is one of those things like GU or Nuun – something you’ve probably never heard of unless you’re an athlete who hangs out with other athletes. You know, the kind of athlete who loves her sport so much that she even writes a blog about it.

If you don’t fall into that category and/or have never heard of it, KT Tape (or Kinesiology Therapeutic Tape) is an elastic sports and fitness tape designed for muscle, ligament, and tendon pain relief and support. It can be used for hundreds of common injuries (not just sports-related injuries), including lower back pain, knee pain, shin splints, carpel tunnel syndrome, and tennis elbow. You can think of KT Tape as a flexible version of a brace or traditional athletic tape. It is lightweight, comfortable, and supports sore muscles and joints without limiting the body’s natural movement. You can read more about the science behind kinesiology tape HERE.

KT Tape for IT Band + Knee (Kinesiology Tape) | Mommy Runs It

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If you know me in real life, you’ve probably already heard all about how I was introduced to KT Tape. And if you haven’t…well, here’s the story of how KT Tape saved my marathon.

KT Tape: A Love Story

In January 2013, I was heading into the final weeks of training for my first marathon. My final long run was a full 26 miler, and around mile 24 I began experiencing sharp pains just above my right knee. I was barely able to run those last 2 miles, and by the time I crossed the finish line (my Galloway group celebrates the 26 mile training run with an actual finish line, medals, and festivities) I was in tears – partly from the emotion of completing my first almost-marathon, and partly from the severe pain.

I was in acute pain for about 2 days after the run. After that, even though I was no longer in constant pain, the sharp pang above my knee returned every time I ran for more than a mile or two. My marathon was 3 weeks away, and needless to say, I was freaking out.

I ended up in urgent care, and from there I was referred to an orthopedist. I had x-rays and an MRI, and I waited and waited…and eventually I was diagnosed with IT Band Syndrome (ITBS). I didn’t know it at the time, but this is a very common issue for runners.

It took a lot of rest, icing, anti-inflammatories, stretching, and foam rolling, but I got the all-clear from my orthopedist and was able to run my first marathon in February 2013. Unfortunately, my IT Band issues returned with a vengeance around mile 18, and I finished the marathon in terrible pain. I crossed the finish line, grabbed my medal and water bottle, and made a beeline to the first aid tent.

Fast forward 5 months to the start of marathon training season #2. During that break, I kind of let things go. I didn’t race at all. I don’t think I ran further than 4 miles in all those months. I didn’t keep up with my foam rolling or IT Band exercises, and I ignored my dad’s advice to forgo marathon training until the following year.

Still, my training started off really well…until my 18 mile training run. Oh, man. It’s been almost a year since that day, and I still cringe at the memory. Right around mile 8, I started to feel that familiar twinge…only this time it was in both knees. By mile 16, even walking was seriously painful.

I thought that I was done for. I’d have to admit defeat and, worse, that my dad had been right.

A few days later, I went to one of the local running stores for suggestions, and everyone there recommended frequent and consistent foam rolling. Great advice – but would it be enough to get me through my upcoming 20 miler?

I foam rolled like it was my job. Mornings. Evenings. Before a run, and then again after it. And it did seem to be helping. But the night before my 20 mile run, I panicked. The memory of the pain from my previous long run was still very fresh in my mind, and I knew I couldn’t withstand another run like that.

KT Tape for IT Band + Knee (Kinesiology Tape) | Mommy Runs It

So that evening, I made a last minute trip to a different running store. I remembered seeing some sort of IT Band knee brace in there, and I was willing to buy whatever kind of contraption they wanted to sell me, as long as it would get me through those 20 miles the next morning.

And then something strange happened.

The guy working that night told me not to buy the IT Band brace. In fact, he told me not to buy anything in the store. Instead, he sent me to CVS to buy KT Tape.

Love at First Sight

I had no other options at that point, so I did as he suggested – then I went home and watched several instructional videos from KTTape.com in order to select the right one for me. I decided to use the Outer Knee application. I watched the video several times, and then I prepared everything for the next morning. It was KT Tape or bust.

Now – I know you’re probably not going to believe this. At the very least, you’ll think I’m exaggerating. But I swear on the life of my Garmin that I experienced ZERO pain in either knee that day. And even more improbably – I haven’t experienced any IT Band since (knock on wood). I started taping both knees every single time I ran more than 4 miles. I used KT Tape during the 26.2 with Donna in February 2014 and the Tour de Pain 13.1 in March 2014. And still – no pain.

After my March half marathon, I returned to shorter distances and stopped taping my knees. And even now that marathon training season #3 is underway, I haven’t needed to start taping. We’re only up to 14 miles though, so that may change in another month or two. In the meantime, I have recommended KT Tape to pretty much anyone who complains about muscle, tendon, or ligament pain. This includes my dad, my mom, my sister, my entire Galloway pace group, my real life and online running friends, Facebook runners, random runners, and anyone who asks about the tape on my legs. And now you. Welcome to the club.

Beyond the Love Fest

Even thought KT Tape is not available at my local running store, it IS available at lots of major sporting good stores and drug stores all over the US and Canada. You can choose between KT Tape Original ($12.99) and KT Tape Pro ($19.99) – both come with 20 pre-cut strips and in a variety of colors. One roll can go a long way – for instance, the application that I use only requires 2 pre-cut strips per knee. KTTape.com offers easy-to-follow instructional videos for 40+ applications/injuries.

And now…do you know what I love even more than product reviews? It’s giveaways! And the awesome folks at KT Tape are giving one lucky reader 3 rolls of KT Tape Pro – total retail value of about $60! Everything you need to enter is on the Rafflecopter below.

Stuff you should know before you enter the giveaway —> * This giveaway is open to US residents only. You must be 18+ to enter. Winners will be notified via email and given 48 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner may be selected. Mommy Runs It is not responsible for prize fulfillment. Giveaway ends 9/29/14 at 11:59 p.m. EST.*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck and thanks for entering! Now keep scrolling to check out some more awesome fitness blog giveaways!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. What percent of stretch did you use on the long side piece up the it band. I can’t find that on the new videos. I did a marathon with no real issues. Then bounced back for my fastest 5k a week later, but totally took out my it band, hammies and quad for my fastest 10k 2 weeks after that. Every thing is healing well but the it band it taking its time. I LOVE kt tape. Works great. I just need to figure out the stretch amount on the leg. Thanks.

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  3. I like the blue. I’d go for something for the shoulder. Been having considerable shoulder pain and wonder if KT Tape would help

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  4. I love the pink and blue because that’s what I wore during my Princess Half and let me tell you, the KT tape really helped me get through it when I was struggling with PF. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE KT Tape!

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  9. I usually go for black as then I don’t have to worry about it clashing with the rest of my outfit. I use KT tape for achilles support, although my stash is running low so I’d definitely like to win!

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  13. OH how I need this and need my hubby to apply it for me. I’m currently having tennis elbow pain so I’d try it there first. So many nice colors but I’d probably go with pink as a lot of my fitness outfits involve a shade of pink. 🙂

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  20. I have several of their bright colors–I think I need a black or stealth beige (but did you see the campaign they tried for a while back with chevron?? so cute!)

    Side note: I liked the facebook pages from my blog page, Once Upon a Run, not my personal page (which I had to use to log into Rafflecopter).

    Reply

  21. What caught my eye in this post was that you were having IT band issues… I struggled for 6 months with IT band pain on my left leg. I’ve looked at KT tape but never knew how to use it. It confused me. haha This is such a great giveaway because it could give someone like me a chance to try a product I may not have ever bought before because I just simply didn’t know enough about it. I’m having heel pain right now so I would try one of their techniques to help alleviate that so I can get back to running!

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  28. I’m 6 months into triathlon training and I started having the same issues with IT Band pain. I used KT Tape for the first time a week ago of course combined with foam rolling and massage therapy. I’m happy to say I have been back to running since last Wednesday after having over a week off due to pain steadily increasing over a period of 2-3 weeks. LOVE KT TAPE!

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  35. I use KT Tape for shin splints and runner’s knee. I’m boring and use the nude color, but i just picked up a black and purple so I”m thinking that could be fun.

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  45. Hmmm, definitely going to try this for my inner knee… I keep seeing it (everywhere!) but have avoided trying it as it seemed unlikely to truly solve my issues… Thanks for sharing!

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  46. A. I love the lime and pink colors. B. I would use it for my Achilles. I tried it once and it helped immensely with my ankle pain.

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  48. I’d really like to try KT Tape Pro to help with Plantar Fasciitis pain and haven’t yet. I like the Hero Pink and Winter Green colors a lot!

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  49. I love the the hero pink and the solar yellow and would like to try the outer knee taping! I currently use a different type of PT tape for it now but I’ve only heard good things about trying KT tape!

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  51. I’d pick either the winter green or solar yellow – if they had a “reflective silver” that would be my ultimate color since I tend to run at dusk/dark. I’m battling shin splints real bad and occasional knee pain and would LOVE to try this during my runs.

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  52. I love the red and the pink. My favorite application is the full knee support, but I need to try out the plantar fascitis one!

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  57. I will admit that science and technology has advanced over the past 50 years and there are products out there that can help in ways I never imagined. However, remember, Father always knows best!!

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  66. Blue matches my racing team singlet, and there’s a few different applications I’m interested in trying……mostly for the knee and calf

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  67. I like the jet black. I would try the outer knee application as well- my hubby is having shoulder problems though so he would need to tape his shoulder with it!

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  68. OMG, KT tape saved me at my half marathon yesterday! I had my achilles tape. I love all of the colors, blue, yellow, pink, purple, black you name it!

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  69. I completed my very first marathon yesterday and those last few miles were painful. Today I am so sore that I can barely walk. Would live to try KT tape.

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    • Congratulations!!! Obviously I’m a big fan of KT Tape. I’ll probably wear it at my next race even if I don’t think I need it. Better safe than sorry.

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  73. I tried KT tape for shin splints, but even after watching the video several times, I’m not sure I put it on right. I’d like to try it again sometime with someone else putting it on me. I used purple, of course!

    Reply

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