How to Tape a Foot for Heel Pain

Heel pains are often caused as a result of the development of a spur in the lower part of the foot. If you have developed heel spurs, a result of abnormal bone growth, or inflammation in the plantar fascia, the stretchy tissue that connects the heel and toes, you may experience pain whenever you place pressure on your foot, especially when walking or running. One very good remedy for relief from such pain is to tape the foot.

Things You'll Need

• Athletic tape

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Instructions

• 1

  Cleanse the foot with a non-moisturizing soap. Dry with a towel. This will help the tape to adhere.

• 2

  Cut three strips of athletic tape that span the length of the foot from the ball to the heel. As your condition improves, you may require less tape. Decrease to two pieces, then one as necessary, depending on the level and location of support needed.

• 3

  Place the first piece of tape diagonally at the joints of your large toe and the opposite end of your heel. Line the edge of the tape just under the big toe and extend over to the middle toes. Press the tape down to adhere. If you have difficulty locating the exact spot of the joints, twist the big toe slightly. This will cause the toe to move and you can then trace the toe joints.

• 4

  Place the second piece of tape straight down the foot near the smaller toes. Line the edge of the tape at the joints just under the smallest toe and extend over to slightly overlap the first piece of tape at the mddle toes. Press the tape down to adhere.

• 5

  Place the third piece of tape diagonally at the outer joints of your large toe and the opposite end of your heel. Line the bottom of the tape at the heel exactly as you placed the first piece. Line the top of the tape at the ball of the foot diagonally across the joint of the large toe, so that half of the tape overlaps the first piece and the other half comes around to the side of the foot under the toe joint.