It’s hard for me to get myself to the doctor and easy to come up with excuses not to go. I’ll take my daughter in a heartbeat if something seems to be wrong, but for me? I try to tough it out, typically.
I’m not getting any younger, though I’m trying to fool my body into thinking I am by working out more and eating better foods, but in some cases, that working out causes minor pain.
For example, my knee was hurting after a few runs. What did I do? Instead of visiting the doctor and having him check it out, I asked a question on a forum. Those girls (also runners) led me to KT Tape. It did a pretty good job relieving the pain.
KT Tape is stickier and stronger than your average tape. It’s available in black or blue in most stores, but the site also lists pink, red, beige, and green. Regardless of the color you pick, you’re not going to be making any fashion statements; a lot of skin will be covered—more than you might expect.
There are videos on the website that show you just how to apply the tape for a number of conditions. The tape can be used as a brace to prevent injury; to help you recover faster if you’re already experiencing pain, inflammation, cramping, or just muscle fatigue; and it’s also truly designed with an athlete who doesn’t want to quit in mind—you can swim or shower in it, move around as usual because it’s stretchy, and it’s designed to release moisture.
I applied the tape to my knee and felt relief, almost like I had a little support on the side of my kneecap where it hurt the most. It was quicker than going to the doctor and much less expensive (around $13 at REI).
The only thing that bugged me was the fact that when I slept in shorts, the edges tried to peel back when they came in contact with the sheets at night.
If you think something is seriously wrong or the pain isn’t letting up, of course you’ll need to see a doctor. But for those minor pains that you know you’re not going to the doctor for but would still appreciate a little relief in one form or another, KT Tape is worth a shot.
Photo credit: KT Tape
