How to Get Kinesiology Tape to Stick - The 6 P's of Kinesiology Taping

K Tape Beach Volleyball

One of the great things about kinesiology tape is that it can be worn for several days through all kinds of wet, muddy or sandy conditions - provided it is applied properly in the first place. When it isn't applied properly, however, even the greatest-looking applications can fall off much sooner than expected, sometimes in a matter of minutes or hours. When you're in a hurry to get your tape on so you can get on with your workout, it helps to keep in mind the 6 P's of kinesiology taping - Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Premature Peeling. Let's break these tips down into 3 phases:

Phase 1: Skin Preparation

1. Skin Must be Completely Dry Before Applying Tape If you just had a shower, don't apply your tape the instant you hang up your towel - wait until all of the surface moisture is gone. If it was a really hot shower, you might need to cool down a bit first. Ditto if you just finished working out. Wait until you have completely stopped sweating - even if you towel off, if you're still producing even a little bit of sweat, your tape will not stick.

RockSauce Liniment and Skin Prep

2. It Also Needs to be Clean And now to the cleanliness issue ... in all likelihood what you think of as clean and what your k-tape adhesive thinks of as clean are 2 different things. It doesn't matter if it has been 8 hours since you used your favorite body lotion, body spray or sunscreen - even a little bit of oil residue can be the kiss of death for k-tape adhesive. Ditto for perspiration and even natural body oils that build up over time. Take a minute to clean the entire application area right before you apply the tape. You can use an astringent, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol or our favorite, RockSauce. RockSauce is an awesome topical liniment that also happens to be a great skin prep. Rub it in, wait a few seconds, then wipe it off with a paper towel. In addition to having the perfect skin surface for your tape, your injury will love the icy hot tingle that it produces.

Phase 2: Tape Preparation and Application

StrengthTape Precut Strips - Royal Blue

1. Use Good Quality Tape Always start with a good quality tape. Saving a couple of dollars per roll doesn't pay off it you get only half the application time per application. For athletes training and competing in extreme conditions, our favorites are StrengthTape and RockTape H2O, which both have extra-strong adhesives. For those wearing the tape under less rigorous conditions, any of the quality brands we carry on our website should work fine. 2. Round the Corners If you're cutting strips from a roll of tape, take a couple seconds to round the corners. Rounded corners are a lot less likely to catch on things or begin to curl or roll up after time. The quickest way to do this is to fold your strip in half and cut two corners at once. 3. Don't Touch the Adhesive This might seem easier said than done, but there are a couple of tricks that make it easy to keep your fingers off the sticky side of the tape. In fact, we just published a post that describes these tricks in excruciating detail. You can read it here.

How to Apply K Tape

4. Go Easy on the Stretch K-tape is so nice and stretchy, it is tempting to give it a good stretch during application, thinking that it will provide better support, For most conditions, however, the best results come when the muscles are stretched and the tape is not stretched. So, overstretching the tape may actually make it less effective in addition to making it more likely to come off. A good rule of thumb is to ensure that 2 inches at each end of the strip are applied with zero stretch.

5. All Strips Must End on Skin Kinesiology tape is designed to stick to skin, not to other pieces of kinesiology tape. It is OK to cross pieces over each other, but all strips should end on skin.

How to Apply Kinesiology Tape

6. Activate the Adhesive The acrylic adhesive on k-tape is heat-activated and friction is a great way to produce just the right amount of heat. After applying your tape, rub it briskly from the center towards the ends for a few seconds to get that adhesive warmed up. If you rub from the ends toward the center, you run the risk of catching an end and lifting it from the skin. (If this happens, cut the loose piece as close to the skin as possible with scissors and carry on.)

Phase 3: Wearing the Tape

1. Avoid Contact at the Ends Even if you follow all of the advice above and get a perfect-application in place, if the ends end up rubbed by pads, equipment or human contact, they will likely lift. If you know that this is likely, you can apply a pre-taping adhesive spray under the ends of the tape in high risk areas. If you don't have any, even a little bit of hairspray can help. If ends do lift, just snip them close to the skin with scissors to prevent the lifting from continuing down the entire strip. So now you know the 6 P's of Kinesiology Taping and in the process have learned exactly how to get kinesiology tape to stick. Be sure to share this with your friends and fellow tapers so they too can avoid the dreaded "premature peeling" phenomenon and get the most value from every application.

How to Get Kinesiology Tape to Stick - The 6 P's of Kinesiology Taping

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Genesis Pure Pad Bowling Ball Wipe Pad

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Make a pure shot every time with this premium ball wipe pad. Made of durable all natural genuine buffalo leather, the heavy knap of the Pure Pad™ will effortlessly absorb dirt and oil better than any microfiber towel or shammy ever could. It\'s been specifically sized to fit in the palm of your hand, so right away you\'ll notice the texture and feel the difference in weight. Every time you use it, you\'ll be reminded that this isn\'t just another ordinary bowling towel.

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Kinesio Pro Scissors with Holster

$49.99

Kinesio® Pro Scissors have been specially engineered to be used in with Kinesio® Tex Tape or other brands of kinesiology tape.


Forged of high quality carbon stainless steel, Kinesio Pro scissors will remain razor sharp for years. These blades allow for precision cutting of the most intricate patterns, producing smooth edges and corners less likely to fray. A double florin-resin coating ensures that no adhesive residue transfers to the blades, ensuring that your first cut is as smooth as your last.


Included with each pair of Kinesio Pro Scissors is a Kinesio Pro Scissor Holster which can be either clipped to a waist band or looped through a belt, allowing you to keep your scissors with you at all times. Made of durable synthetic leather and reinforced with double-stitching, the holster will help keep your scissors protected, but at your fingertips when needed.

Kinesio Clinical Video Series - Active Mature

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This DVD is for active individuals over 50 or health professionals working with this population. Being healthy and active can maintain fitness and vitality over the years. Physical activity can help manage health challenges such as arthritis, osteoporosis, or pain due to changes in posture or weakness. Maintaining a daily level of activity can become more challenging with age and may be compounded by illness, fatigue or fear of falling. Learning to use the Kinesio Taping® Method to manage day to day health problems is a low-cost approach to maintaining or improving health.


This DVD is part of the Kinesio Clinical Video Series, a collection of 10 training videos to help health professionals learn more about incorporating Kinesio Taping into their specialties. Each video is approximately 45 minutes long and features specialists in the topic presented.

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Kinesio Clinical Video Series - Foot & Ankle

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This DVD provides an overview of Kinesio Taping® applications for foot and ankle pain, injuries and dysfunction, including soft tissue and/or biomechanical issues. The complexity of the foot and ankle structures are simplified to provide the viewer with basic Kinesio Taping skills when addressing common, everyday lower limb issues.

This DVD is part of the Kinesio Clinical Video Series, a collection of 10 training videos to help health professionals learn more about incorporating Kinesio Taping into their specialties. Each video is approximately 45 minutes long and features specialists in the topic presented.

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Kinesio Clinical Video Series - Hand & Upper Extremity

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This DVD provides an overview of Kinesio Taping® applications for the hand and arm, including thumb and finger issues, carpal tunnel syndrome. golfers and tennis elbow and arthritis. Kinesio Taping can provide structural support or realignment, relief of pain and swelling and can improve mobility and function during recovery from these conditions.

This DVD is part of the Kinesio Clinical Video Series, a collection of 10 training videos to help health professionals learn more about incorporating Kinesio Taping into their specialties. Each video is approximately 45 minutes long and features specialists in the topic presented.

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Kinesio Clinical Video Series - Sports Medicine

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This DVD provides Kinesio Taping instructions for health professionals treating injuried athletes. Some of the best known uses of Kinesio Taping® are in the sports medicine field. Kinesio Taping can be utilized during all phases of sports injuries, including acute, sub-acute, chronic and rehabilitation. Relief of pain and swelling plus support and activation for injured or weakened muscles can allow patients to participate more fully in rehab and accelerate the recovery process.


This DVD is part of the Kinesio Clinical Video Series, a collection of 10 training videos to help health professionals learn more about incorporating Kinesio Taping into their specialties. Each video is approximately 45 minutes long and features specialists in the topic presented.

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Kinesio Clinical Video Series - Women's Health

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As patients and as athletes, women may experience any of the injuries and issues common in an active population, as well as additional challenges specific to the female physiology and life cycle. Kinesio Taping® provides valuable assistance for medication-free support and pain relief during the pre and post natal stages of pregnancy and throughout the years, helping women to maintain an active lifestyle. This DVD focuses on Kinesio Taping applications for menstrual or pregnancy-related issues as well as health issues more common in women


This DVD is part of the Kinesio Clinical Video Series, a collection of 10 training videos to help health professionals learn more about incorporating Kinesio Taping into their specialties. Each video is approximately 45 minutes long and features specialists in the topic presented.

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Genesis Power Band Magnetic Wrist Band

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The Genesis® Neoprene Power Band™ is an ultra-lightweight, durable magnetic aid providing complete unrestricted, flexible support. It helps to relieve tendonitis pain and prevent carpal tunnel syndrome while keeping your wrist therapeutically warm. The easy to use strap features a velcro tension adjustment to fit most bowlers.

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Caring for the Painful Thumb

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Caring for the Painful Thumb - More Than a Splint, was written by Jan Albrecht, an Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist. Written in terminololgy patients can understand with over 200 color illustrations, the book can be used as a teaching tool for both patients and therapists. A unique feature of Caring for the Painful Thumb is that it is two books in one: half the book is for the right hand and half for the left to help patients easily visualize mobilization and stabilization techniques. Includes step-by-step instructions for applying kinesiology tape to the thumb and CMC joint. 52 sturdy pages, spiral bound. This durable book can be used at the treatment table, or independently by the patient at the completion of therapy. Pages can be copied for handouts.

Kinesio Clinical Video Series - Chiropractic & Osteopathic

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This DVD provides training in the use of Kinesiology Taping as an adjunct to chiropractic or osteopathic medicine treatments. The Kinesio Taping® Method was originally developed in a manual therapy setting and continues to be a valuable tool to extend and prolong the benefits of treatments. It may be used as an adjunct or stand-alone treatment to address pain, edema or stiffness. In addition, it may give the physician a longer acting tool to help correct misalignment and assist in neuromuscular reeducation. Among the benefits of Kinesio Taping is its ability to promote self-healing without the use of medication.


This DVD is part of the Kinesio Clinical Video Series, a collection of 10 training videos to help health professionals learn more about incorporating Kinesio Taping into their specialties. Each video is approximately 45 minutes long and features specialists in the topic presented.

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Kinesio Clinical Video Series - Acupuncture

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Because Acupuncture and Kinesio Taping® operate under similar principles, they can be used separately or in concert to address acute and chronic pain as well as various types of physical and emotional stress. The tape can be used either at specific acupuncture points or in larger areas to move energy along meridians within the affected region. Appropriate application of Kinesio® Tex Tape can stimulate energy flow and support the self-healing process.

This DVD is part of the Kinesio Clinical Video Series, a collection of 10 training videos to help health professionals learn more about incorporating Kinesio Taping into their specialties. Each video is approximately 45 minutes long and features specialists in the topic presented.

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Kinesio Clinical Video Series - Sport & Fitness

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This DVD is for athletes or health professionals working with the athletic population. Instructions are provided for use of the Kinesio Taping® Method in the treatment of a variety of acute and chronic orthopedic injuries commonly seen in an athletic or active populations. By utilizing Kinesio® Tex Tape, patients have reported a decrease in pain and swelling as well as quicker recovery times and a faster return to their original level of performance.

This DVD is part of the Kinesio Clinical Video Series, a collection of 10 training videos to help health professionals learn more about incorporating Kinesio Taping into their specialties. Each video is approximately 45 minutes long and features specialists in the topic presented.

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Kinesio Clinical Video Series - Throat & Mouth

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Kinesio® Tex Tape and the Kinesio Taping® Method can be utilized very effectively as a rehabilitative tool with feeding and swallowing issues. It increases sensory and muscle functions and can also be used to facilitate weak muscles. It can be used with a variety of facial muscles to assist with musculo-skeletal issues or oral intake. Kinesio Taping during a therapy session can assist with carry-over of therapeutic interventions for several days following treatment.


This DVD is part of the Kinesio Clinical Video Series, a collection of 10 training videos to help health professionals learn more about incorporating Kinesio Taping into their specialties. Each video is approximately 45 minutes long and features specialists in the topic presented.

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Kinesio Clinical Video Series - Scar & Edema

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Recovery from wounds after injuries or surgery can be complicated by swelling and the development of scar tissue. Kinesio Taping post-wound can enhance lymphatic flow to decrease swelling, leading to pain relief and increased rehabilitation potential. Management of scars is often overlooked when treating pain, swelling, decreased range of motion, contractures, and cosmetic appearance of the skin. Scar tissue can significantly disrupt how our bodies function. Using Kinesio® Tex Tape is one of the easiest and inexpensive ways of treating scars. Its unique elastic qualities not only assist scars to mature, allowing the collagen to become more parallel, but it can also assist scars to release adhesions. Both new and old scars can be treated with Kinesio Tape with changes noted as early as 24 hours in mobility, adhesion and color. Scar management with Kinesio Tex Tape is gentle with quick and significant results.

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