How to Tape Shin Spints

Shin splints are a painful injury that most often happen in runners. According to the Mayo Clinic, "The pain is caused by an overload on the shinbone and the connective tissues that attach your muscles to the bone." There are several different treatments for shin splints, including rest, ice application, use of pain relievers and taping. Taping shin splints can help reduce the impact on the shinbone that occurs while exercising.

Things You'll Need

• Sport tape
• Scissors or razor blade

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Instructions

• 1

  Remove hair on the lower leg area to be taped, using the hair removal method of your choice. It's easier to apply tape to clean, hair-free skin.

• 2

  Flex the foot on the leg that is to be taped until the skin of the shin area is taut. Do not flex to the point of pain.

• 3

  Cut two pieces of tape, each approximately the length of the shin. Place one piece diagonally on either side of the leg, extending from just under the knee to the bottom of the ankle.

• 4

  Cut three (or more if needed) pieces of tape that are long enough to circle the entire shin area horizontally. Apply the tape horizontally, circling around the shin area entirely and leaving no exposed skin: "Run tape along shin over pain," according to Sports Med Info.