Gold, silver, and bronze weren't the only colors decorating Beijing Olympians. Some athletes wore Kinesio Tex Tape in strips of pink, blue, and black. This adhesive is popular because it speeds healing without limiting range of motion, says Amol Saxena, D.P.M., a sports podiatrist in Palo Alto, California. "The tape pulls up the skin slightly, allowing more blood to flow to the injured area," he says. He teaches runners, including bronze medalist Shalane Flanagan, how to put it on themselves. The tape ($14.95 per roll at kinesio-tape.com) can last five days, even in the shower. Saxena thinks black sticks best to sweaty skin.
Below is the method to combat shinsplints; see also Achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, runner's knee and ankle sprain.
1. Cut a piece of tape about 12 to 18 inches long, round all the edges, and remove the backing.
2. Flex your foot. Place one end of the tape on the top of your foot, below your pinky toe. Wrap the tape under your foot, across your arch at the highest point, and around to the top of your foot. Then bring the tape up the front of your shin.
3. Cut six inches of duct tape (which gives more support to the arch) and trim it to 1 1/2 inches wide.
4. Place one end of the duct tape on top of the Kinesio tape on the outside of your foot, flex your foot, and pull the tape firmly over your arch.
Beth (she/her) is the executive editor of Good Housekeeping, where she oversees all print content and manages features, personal essays and special projects for the brand. She is a former executive editor at Woman’s Day and features director at Reader’s Digest and a current adjunct professor at New York University in the School of Professional Studies. As a former college and semi-professional soccer player, she twice had the unfortunate experience of playing against Abby Wambach.
