How to Kinesio Tape to Support Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is a common injury, especially for those frequently active in racket sports. It can be a painful condition that reduces range of motion and the strength of the affected arm. Applying kinesio tape to the elbow will help to reduce inflammation, increase blood circulation and provide needed support for the injury.

Things You'll Need

• Kinesio Tape
• Scissors

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Instructions

• 1

  Cut a "Y" strip in a piece of kinesio tape long enough to stretch from the wrist to a spot about one inch below the elbow. To cut a "Y" strip, lay the piece of tape flat out and cut through the middle of the tape length-wise. Do not continue all of the way through the tape, stopping about an inch short of the end. You should have an inch base with two separate long strips attached if you have done this correctly. See the diagram in the References section below for more information.

• 2

  Apply the anchor and one side of the "Y" strip to the forearm. Hold the arm out so that the palm is facing down. Apply the anchor of the tape to the wrist with no tension. Apply one of the strips from one side of the "Y" up and along the wrist flexors and end just before the elbow. Stretch the tape to 25 percent of capacity until you reach the last inch of the tape. Rub the tape to apply the adhesive.

• 3

  Apply the second strip of the "Y". Apply this strip parallel with the first strip but about one half inch apart. Be sure to apply with no stretch and rub down firmly.

• 4

  Apply the final anchor tape. Use a three-inch piece of kinesio tape and stretch to capacity. Apply firmly on the upper forearm. The ends of the "Y" tape near the elbow should still show about an inch. Set the tape by rubbing firmly to activate the adhesive.