How to Tape a Shin

The shin bone or tibia is the large bone on the front of your lower leg. Pain caused by stress to the shinbone after high impact exercise such as running, is referred to as a shin splint or Medial Tibia Stress Syndrome. According to the Journal of Athletic Trainers, experts do not agree on the causes of shin splints; however, they do agree that preventative measures such as taping the ankle and shin, helps prevent further damage while exercising.

Things You'll Need

• Razor
• Shave cream or depilatory
• Non-stretch zinc oxide tape

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Instructions

• 1

  Dancing with improper footwear might cause shin splints.

  Shave or remove hair using a depilatory cream at the foot, ankle and calf of the leg where you will apply the tape so the tape will stick effectively. This will also alleviate pain when removing the tape.

• 2

  Put a strip of tape across the front of the ankle, then wrap it around the back of the Achilles tendon. Continue wrapping the leg diagonally and up to the top of the calf muscle just under the knee cap.

• 3

  Repeat this step two more times, beginning at the ankle and moving up diagonally and overlapping the tape.

• 4

  Wrap the painful area a final time to alleviate pressure on the shin splint.