Shin pain — especially the kind runners know all too well — is often linked to Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS),it’s often called shin splints although this is a non-specific term that covers other causes of shin pain too. A 2024 study looked at whether kinesio taping could help ease this pain in the short term. The results are promising.
Researchers recruited 32 male runners, aged 20–32, all of whom were experiencing MTSS. They randomly divided them into two groups: an active taping group, and a placebo taping group. The active group had kinesio tape applied to their shin with 75% stretch, whereas in the placebo group, the same tape was applied — but without any stretch.
You might wonder: what is “placebo taping”? It’s essentially tape applied, but without tension — so you still feel something on your skin, but it doesn’t provide the same mechanical stimulus as stretched tape. Think of it like a placebo pill: the wearer goes through the same experience, but the “dose” (in this case, the tension) doesn’t do the same.
In this study, after 24 hours, the runners who had real (stretched) taping reported less shin pain and showed better foot control, based on postural control and plantar pressure measures. The authors didn’t test immediately after application or right before re-testing at 24 hours — so the very short-term effect (e.g., first few hours) remains unmeasured.
So, how can you apply this to yourself or your patients? Here’s a practical tape application (RockTape-style) that builds on the study, but adapts it for comfort:
1. Anchor the tape at the outer border of the foot, without stretch.
2. Bring the tape through the arch, over the ankle bone, and up the inside of the shin — applying about 50% stretchas you go.
3. If using pre-cut RockTape, finish around the lower/mid shin; if you’re cutting your own, you can extend higher.
4. Keep the tape in a single piece (don’t split it), which makes application easier and tends to feel more comfortable. (In the study they split the tape and used 75% stretch — but in our experience, moderate stretch and a single strip work best.)
If you try this technique and you or your clients feel shin pain relief or improved stability, we’d love to hear your feedback.
Share your experience and pass this on to anyone who might benefit.
Mahdavinejad, R., Letafatkar, A. & Shojaedin, S.S., 2018. The short-term effects of kinesio taping on postural control and plantar pressure in individuals with medial tibial stress syndrome. Physical Treatments – Specific Physical Therapy Journal, 8(3), pp.149–156.