Dominic Stone
Taping is a common method used to speed up recovery and relieve pain from a calf strain. The soleus muscle is part of the calf muscle group, which is one of the top 10 most common sports injuries. Taping the soleus muscle is a technique that can be used when someone is faced with a low-grade strain and they are still trying to function at a high standard. Kinesiology taping treatment with CureTape® can be applied by a physiotherapist to reduce swelling and enable pain-free movement. KT Tape is another product that can be used to speed up the recovery process, relax the muscles, and relieve pain.
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What You'll Learn
Kinesiology taping treatment
Kinesiology taping is a treatment method that involves taping over muscles to manage pain and facilitate muscle movement. It is widely used in sports and rehabilitation settings.
When it comes to the soleus muscle, kinesiology taping can be applied to alleviate calf pain and improve neuromuscular functions. The soleus muscle, along with the two gastrocnemius muscles (medial and lateral), make up the three major muscles of the calf. This muscle group is particularly susceptible to injuries due to the high impact and explosive contractions associated with running, jumping, and landing.
To tape the soleus muscle, it is important to first clean the area by removing any hair, dirt, or oils. The client's position is also crucial, as the area should be in a stretched position before applying the tape. The Y-shaped kinesiology tape is then applied to the target locations, starting from the calcaneal tuberosity up to the lateral and medial condyles of the femur. The direction of taping is important, as applying the tape from the origin to the muscle insertion point is believed to facilitate muscle activity, while reversing the direction has an inhibitory effect.
During the taping process, the client should lie down in a prone position with their knee fully extended and their ankle in a full dorsiflexion position. The tension of the tape can vary, but it should be noted that different tape tensions have not shown significant differential effects on the Hmax/Mmax ratio. However, the application of kinesiology tape may depend on the intensity of the tape tension.
Kinesiology taping can be an effective way to reduce muscle tone and provide stimuli to the muscles to relax. It helps to reduce ischemia, resistance to stretch, and irritation to nociceptors, improving overall muscle function.
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Using KT Tape
Kinesiology taping (KT) is a widely used technique in sports and physical therapy. KT Tape is known to provide stability and support to the calf muscle and help speed up the recovery process from a calf injury. It is also used to relax the muscles and relieve pain.
To begin taping your soleus muscle, you will need to cut two pieces of tape. The first piece should be cut in an 'I' shape with rounded corners, and the second piece should be cut into a 'Y' shape. The 'I' strip should be applied first, and the 'Y' strip should be applied second.
For the 'I' strip, start by locating the base of your calf muscle, which is the widest part. Place the centre of the 'I' strip at the base of your calf muscle, and then rub the strip gently to activate the adhesive. Smooth the ends down towards your ankle, and then rub the entire strip again.
For the 'Y' strip, start by locating the base of your calf muscle again. Place the centre of the 'Y' strip at the base of your calf muscle, and then rub the strip gently to activate the adhesive. Smooth one end down towards your ankle, and then smooth the other end up towards your knee. Rub the entire strip again to finish.
It is important to note that the tension of the tape during application should not be a concern, as different tape tensions have shown no significant differential effects for the Hmax/Mmax ratio.
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Taping techniques
When taping a calf strain, the first step is to measure the Y-shaped tape with the muscle in a stretched position and the foot in dorsal flexion. The base of the Y tape should be applied without stretching under the heel, running up over the Achilles tendon. For a rupture of the Achilles tendon or the muscle-tendon transition, a supporting ligament tape should be applied over the tendon.
Next, apply two strips of tape with a muscle technique around the muscle belly of the gastrocnemius towards the knee. The tape should be applied with a 50% overlap moving up the leg, providing a good lift under the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. A relaxing tape can also be applied from the heel bone to just above the knee, focusing on the calf muscles, especially the soleus.
It is recommended to use a tape that provides strong adhesion and support, such as kinesiology tape or CureTape. For regular use, CureTape Classic or Art is suitable, while the extra sticky CureTape Sports variant is ideal for more active individuals.
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Y-shaped kinesiology tape
Kinesiology tape (KT) is a popular treatment method in sports and rehabilitation. It is used to speed up recovery and relieve pain from injuries such as calf strains and tears. When it comes to taping the soleus muscle, Y-shaped kinesiology tape is often used. This tape is applied in an inhibitory direction, with the baseline of the KT strips running from the calcaneal tubercle to the lateral and medial condyles of the femur.
- Measure the length of the Y-tape: With the muscle in a stretched position and the foot in dorsal flexion, measure the Y-tape from the calcaneal tubercle to the lateral and medial condyles of the femur.
- Apply the base of the Y-tape: Place the base of the Y-tape under the heel (calcaneus) without stretching it.
- Apply the strips of the Y-tape: Run the tape strips up over the Achilles tendon and apply them around the muscle belly of the gastrocnemius towards the knee. Ensure that the strips are applied with a muscle technique, providing strong adhesion and support.
- Address the muscle tear: If there is a muscle tear, apply relaxation tape to the affected area. This can be done by placing the tape on the side of the tear, running from the heel bone to just above the knee, with a focus on the soleus muscle.
- Adjust as needed: If the pain does not subside, the tape may need to be adjusted slightly. It is important to listen to the patient's feedback and make adjustments during the treatment.
It is recommended to seek the help of a qualified physical therapist or an experienced physiotherapist when applying kinesiology tape. They will be able to determine the appropriate tape tension and ensure correct application according to the patient's specific needs.
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Star-shaped tape
When treating a calf strain, star-shaped tape can be used to treat a tear in the muscle. This star tape consists of four narrow strips of tape, each 2.5 cm wide. The first strip is applied tightly across the tear, stretching from the centre. The remaining three strips are then added to complete the star pattern. This star-shaped taping method is a special technique called a ligament technique, which uses minimal stretch.
If the tear affects the Achilles tendon, it is recommended to apply supportive tape over it before applying the star-shaped tape. This supportive tape is a ligament tape that should be applied over the Achilles tendon.
Following this, relaxation tape should be applied from the calcaneus (heel bone) to just above the knee, focusing on the calf muscles, especially the soleus. This relaxation tape aids in the recovery process by reducing swelling and enabling pain-free movement, which speeds up recovery.
It is important to note that kinesiology taping treatment with CureTape should be performed by an experienced therapist to ensure optimal results. The tape should be applied correctly, and if pain reduction is not achieved, the tape may need to be adjusted.
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Frequently asked questions
Y-shaped kinesiology tape is the best option for taping the soleus muscle. KT Tape is a popular brand that offers industry-leading calf support and pain relief. CureTape is another brand that offers kinesiology taping treatment for calf strains.
First, measure the Y tape with the muscle in a stretched position and the foot in dorsal flexion. Apply the base without stretching under the heel. Then, let the tape run up over the Achilles tendon and apply both tape strips with a muscle technique around the muscle belly of the gastrocnemius towards the knee.
It is important to apply the tape correctly to ensure it sticks and provides adequate support. Lay down a criss-cross of Fixomull first, especially if you have hairy legs or sensitive skin. Then, create a crosshatch effect with rigid tape, overlapping the tape by 50% moving up the leg. Ensure the pull on the tape is firm, giving a good lift under the soleus muscle.
