Find out more about the author, Joanne Stapensea, MA in Exercise Physiologist. Visit Joanne's website, theratape.com.

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is one of the most common—and most frustrating—injuries among racquet sport players including tennis players and others who actively use the muscles of the forearm. It is characterized by pain and tenderness over the outside of the elbow (lateral epicondyle), that may also radiate down the forearm.

Chronic lateral epicondylitis/tennis elbow  video below

A different taping technique would be used for individuals with chronic lateral epicondylitis, who need to continue/return to full activity, despite continued elbow pain. Many athletes prefer to “play through” overuse injuries like tendonitis of the elbow, while manual laborers with lateral epicondylitis may need to continue working to earn a living.

This technique is also applicable to individuals returning to activity after taking time off due to tennis elbow pain.

In these situations, the goal is to relieve pain and provide structural support for the muscles of the forearm.

Taping from the origin (elbow end) to the insertion (wrist end) of the forearm extensors will facilitate activation of these muscles, overriding the body’s natural decrease in muscle tone and muscle activation that occur in response to pain. This reduces the chance of additional injury related to abnormal movement patterns that develop as compensation for lack of strength.

Only the muscle is stretched in this type of neurosensory application, leaving the tape to be applied with no additional stretch.

The following step-by-step instructions are for using pre-cut kinesiology tape for tennis elbow.

The brand name of this product is SpiderTech, and the elbow application is one of 15 different precut kinesiology tape applications for different parts of the body.

The following images show the shape of the pre-cut SpiderTech Elbow application, followed by a diagram of the reverse side showing the application sequence.

Preparation

	Step 1. Remove the backing from section 1 (the anchor) and apply with no stretch in the tape to the outside of the arm just above the lateral epicondyle (bony bump on the outside of the elbow). Gently rub tape from the center out to activate adhesive.
	Step 2. Remove the backing from both sections 2 and apply both sides to the skin with no stretch in the tape. Gently rub the tape from the center toward the ends to activate the adhesive.
	Step 3. Remove the backing of section 3 and stretch the tape approximately 1? longer than resting length so that the hole is directly over the lateral epicondyle (bony bump on the outside of the elbow). Rub to activate adhesive.
	Step 4. Flex the wrist, pointing fingers downward. Begin removing backing from the outside arm of section 4, applying the tape in the direction of the little finger with no additional stretch in the tape. If the tape is applied to the skin as the backing is removed, you will create the ideal tension.
	Step 5. Keeping the wrist flexed and the fingers pointed downward, begin peeling the backing from the inside arm of section 4, applying the tape in the direction of the thumb. If the tape is applied to the skin as the backing is removed, you will create the perfect tension.
	Final View. Be sure to gently rub over the entire taped area to activate the glue. For best results, apply tape 30-60 minutes before sweating, swimming or showering. A complete list of tips for applying and removing kinesiology tape can be found at www.theratape.com/application/tips.

Video - Kinesiology Taping Application for Acute Tennis Elbow

The following video shows Dr. Kevin Jardine, inventor of SpiderTech pre-cut kinesiology taping applications, demonstrating the proper technique for applying the Elbow Spider to someone with tennis elbow. This application technique is designed to reduce elbow pain and optimize muscle activation in the forearm extensors - the muscles directly responsible for the pain and inflammation of tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis.

Get SpiderTech tape for Tennis Elbow Kinesiology taping