Okay, folks, let’s dive into how I tackled my tennis elbow with some KT Tape. I’m no doctor, just a regular guy who plays a bit of tennis and deals with the aches and pains that come with it.
First things first, I got myself some KT Tape. You can find it pretty much anywhere these days – drugstores, sporting goods stores, even online. I went with the pre-cut strips because, honestly, I’m lazy and didn’t want to mess with scissors.
Prepping the Area
Before I slapped on the tape, I made sure my arm was clean and dry. I wiped it down with some rubbing alcohol, that seemed to do the trick. You want to make sure there are no lotions or oils, that could affect the whole process.
Applying the Tape
Now for the fun part! I followed the instructions that came with the tape, and there are also ton of videos online if you are a more visual person. Here’s the general idea:
- I started with my arm straight and my wrist bent backward, like I was revving a motorcycle.
- I took one of the pre-cut strips and tore the backing paper in the middle.
- I peeled back the paper on one side, stuck the end of the tape just below my elbow (on the outside of my forearm, where it hurts), and rubbed it down to make sure it was secure.
- Then, with a little bit of stretch (maybe 25%? I just eyeballed it), I pulled the tape along the outside of my forearm, towards my wrist.
- I anchored the other end of the tape without any stretch.
- I repeated this process with a second strip, slightly overlapping the first one.
For extra support, I also used one more strip, and placed it horizontally, across my forearm, right over the spot that was really screaming at me.
The Aftermath
Once the tape was on, I gently rubbed it all over to activate the adhesive. It felt…weird at first. Kind of like a gentle hug for my muscles.
I kept the tape on for a few days, and it seemed to give me some relief. My elbow pain didn’t magically disappear, but it definitely felt more supported and less achy, especially when I was playing. I still tried to take it easy and not overdo things. I’m not sure if it was a placebo effect or what, but hey, it worked for me!
And That’s all about my own experience, Good luck!
