Using Kinesiology Tape

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Chowder_17
Chowder_17 Posts: 141 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Has anyone ever tried kinesiology tape for the Achilles tendon?

I injured myself during my half marathon about 6 weeks ago and I've been resting as much as possible. However, with my job in the military, I cannot just do nothing. I've tried to brace it and use compression socks, but it still flares up during exercise. Has the tape helped anyone? Any particular brands to try?

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  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,209 Member
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    What's the diagnosis? There may be better options than tape.
    Which activities flare it up?
  • Chowder_17
    Chowder_17 Posts: 141 Member
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    Achilles tendonitis. Running seems to aggravate it the most.
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,209 Member
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    Eccentric calf training helps with AT according to studies (which i can post if you wish to see them). Here is the exercise:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6EKuuZ7C2E

    Uphill runs put the most strain on the Achilles, so i'd avoid them.
  • fivethreeone
    fivethreeone Posts: 8,196 Member
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    I had a cut tendon in my foot last summer and I tape my arch every time I work out. It makes a noticeable difference. I don't know whether it would be appropriate for your needs, but it does offer some good support.

    This is what I use: https://www.kttape.com/instructions/
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,659 Member
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    It helps, but many people become dependent on the KT tape rather than address the reason of what's causing the pain.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • vmisslin
    vmisslin Posts: 13 Member
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    I'll start by saying: I'm not any kind of medical or sports specialist, just a novice runner with sort of weak ankles...that said:

    I deal with high ankle strain and shin splints when running, and actually had a lot of positive result using KT tape for support. I used it most of last summer/fall and was able to extend my distance and endurance without pain. Combining it with strengthening exercises for my ankles really helped me make progress. I tried starting my spring runs with the tape and actually found I don't need it anymore (it wound up causing more discomfort where before it was relieving pain).

    If you choose to try it out, I definitely recommend combining it with strengthening exercises, and following whatever physician/physical therapist directions you've been given (or reach out to them for advice). Last thing you want is to extend the injury.
  • chackysto
    chackysto Posts: 1 Member
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    I've had problems with my Achilles tendon for a few weeks now; and I started using Kinesio Tape about 3 weeks ago.
    The first day after I put it on, I was able to run 5k. It has definitely made a huge difference, and I even got my Mom who's had the problems for years, hooked on it. So, I really believe it helps. I used black tape for the Y on the heel and calf and black tape as an additional ankle support.
    Nevertheless, while the tape has helped/is helping to stabilize and support the heel, it is only treating symptoms, not the actual reason behind the pain, so I would only recommend it as an actual treatment for short term use. But then, I'm not a doctor, so...
    I personally now combine Kinesio tape and orthopedic insoles to treat my overpronation - and I've been pretty much pain free since then.
    But I still make sure to ice my ankle after a run and I do additional strengthening and stretching excercises every day.
  • LoosingMyLast15
    LoosingMyLast15 Posts: 1,457 Member
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    Has anyone ever tried kinesiology tape for the Achilles tendon?

    I injured myself during my half marathon about 6 weeks ago and I've been resting as much as possible. However, with my job in the military, I cannot just do nothing. I've tried to brace it and use compression socks, but it still flares up during exercise. Has the tape helped anyone? Any particular brands to try?

    i can let you know in a week. just ordered some from amazon. i have PF and AT (my poor right foot is a hot mess) and i run. training for my half at the end of May or well i'm SUPPOSED to be training but right now i'm taking a bit of a break to help everything heal. bought the tape today because i really need to get cracking on the training. not sure if color matters but i bought hot pink KT Tape Pro.
  • LoosingMyLast15
    LoosingMyLast15 Posts: 1,457 Member
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    Eccentric calf training helps with AT according to studies (which i can post if you wish to see them). Here is the exercise:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6EKuuZ7C2E

    Uphill runs put the most strain on the Achilles, so i'd avoid them.

    what's the reasoning behind lifting back up on the good leg instead of the bad leg
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,209 Member
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    Eccentric calf training helps with AT according to studies (which i can post if you wish to see them). Here is the exercise:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6EKuuZ7C2E

    Uphill runs put the most strain on the Achilles, so i'd avoid them.

    what's the reasoning behind lifting back up on the good leg instead of the bad leg

    The concentric phase ("lifting back up") doesn't actually help the tendons much compared to the eccentric phase (lowering). Here's a study on it -

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11269583

    They don't fully understand why eccentric training helps tendons, but it was a good discovery.

    I don't think there are any studies on taping Achilles, only anecdotal evidence.. and some of that might be the placebo effect. :wink:
    I'm curious to hear your results with it..
  • sassycraftyfit
    sassycraftyfit Posts: 31
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    I used some KT tape in my half marathon this past weekend after a flare up of runner's knee (mild) a few weeks ago. I've been strengthening my legs, but used the KT tape just as an added precaution. I improved my half marathon time by 5 minutes and had no pain during the race! I use KT Pro tape. But like others have said - it doesnt fix the underlying problem, so you still need to strengthen, etc., and not rely just on the tape. :)
  • ucabucca
    ucabucca Posts: 606 Member
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    I have used it for achilles to keep training but at the same time you need to strengthen and stretch and of course rest and ice Don't use all the time you can become dependent on it same as a brace
  • LoosingMyLast15
    LoosingMyLast15 Posts: 1,457 Member
    Options
    Eccentric calf training helps with AT according to studies (which i can post if you wish to see them). Here is the exercise:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6EKuuZ7C2E

    Uphill runs put the most strain on the Achilles, so i'd avoid them.

    what's the reasoning behind lifting back up on the good leg instead of the bad leg

    The concentric phase ("lifting back up") doesn't actually help the tendons much compared to the eccentric phase (lowering). Here's a study on it -

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11269583

    They don't fully understand why eccentric training helps tendons, but it was a good discovery.

    I don't think there are any studies on taping Achilles, only anecdotal evidence.. and some of that might be the placebo effect. :wink:
    I'm curious to hear your results with it..

    cool thanks. i start training for my half next week (after my mud race this sat). a friend gave me a few strips of kt tape for this sat race so i'm gonna try it. i did the same mud race 2 weeks ago without the tape - going to do a comparison.

    i've been doing the raises but coming back up on my bad foot - will switch and see if there's an improvement. i started using a bosu ball as well to help with strengthening actually been using the ball (flat side) to do the raises and i'm starting to feel better.
  • LoosingMyLast15
    LoosingMyLast15 Posts: 1,457 Member
    Options
    Has anyone ever tried kinesiology tape for the Achilles tendon?

    I injured myself during my half marathon about 6 weeks ago and I've been resting as much as possible. However, with my job in the military, I cannot just do nothing. I've tried to brace it and use compression socks, but it still flares up during exercise. Has the tape helped anyone? Any particular brands to try?

    so i had my rugged maniac mud/obstacle course race on saturday and i used my kt tape. definitely felt a difference (good difference) in my foot using the tape. however even with the extra adhesive spray the tape did not stay on but this was a mud race with lots of mud/water so i wasn't expecting to stay on i would have been floored had it stayed put. i am wearing hte tape today and plan on going for a very light run at lunch time. will post how my afternoon run goes.

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