You can pat the skin dry using a clean towel.
Kinesio tape can be helpful when you’re trying to get a muscle to activate better during a certain motion, like walking, throwing, or hitting. You can also inhibit a muscle from activating if it’s too tight or stop it from engaging when it shouldn’t. [5] X Expert Source Joel Giffin, PT, DPT, CHTPhysical Therapist Expert Interview. 26 October 2020.
Y tape applied in the shape of a Y over the target muscle. This is used to surround the target muscle and can either inhibit or facilitate muscle stimuli. The tape should be slightly longer than the target muscle. I tape application is used for acute injuries and helps with alignment corrections. In this case, you place a single strip of tape along the target muscle in a straight line. X tape application is when the tape forms an X shape across the affected muscle. This is used when the origin and alignment of the muscle changes with movement. The tape will move with the muscle providing continued support. For example, it can be used on the rhomboids (upper back and shoulder). Fan/web tape application is used in a similar way to the X tape; however, the one end remains intact while the other end spreads out in a fan-shape across the muscle.
If you are using precut strips, tear the strips along the serrated edge.
Alternatively, if you want to relieve pain from a muscle that is overstimulated, you should use 15%-25% stretch.
Avoid touching the adhesive. This can impact the stickiness of the tape and may cause the tape to peel off the skin.
For example, you could tape your sleeves back if you are wearing kinesiology tape on your shoulders.
Do not rip off the tape in a quick motion. This could tear the skin and cause irritation.
