How one sports chiropractor uses KT Tape and KT Health products to support her patients’ performance, recovery, and well-being.
Meet Dr. Shea Stark, DC, CCSP, ICSC, EMT
Dr. Shea Stark, a graduate of Texas Chiropractic College, holds post-graduate certifications as a Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner (CCSP), International Certificate in Sports Chiropractic (ICSC), and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), all to aid in her work with athletes. She is a past president of American Chiropractic Association Sports Council, past North American Representative to the International Federation of Sports Chiropractic (FICS), current Chair of the Marketing Commission for FICS, and President of Texas Sports Chiropractors.
As a leading voice in sports chiropractic, Dr. Stark brings KT Tape and KT Health products into her daily clinical practice to support a wide range of patients. In this Q&A, she shares how KT products are integrated into treatment plans, the feedback she hears from patients, and why KT continues to be a staple in her care toolkit.
Learn more about Dr. Shea Stark here.
KT Products in Practice
Which KT Tape products do you most often use in your clinic, and what are your go-to applications for each?
I have two go-to products in my clinic: the Pro Extreme tape and the magnesium infused creams. I use the tape mostly for knee and shoulder applications. I use the creams as emollient for cupping and IASTM and it works well.
Can you walk us through how you typically incorporate KT Tape into a treatment plan for a new or recurring patient?
I incorporate KT Tape into a treatment plan in a couple ways. First, I will include it for patients who are actively training for a sport or competition and need help with joint/muscle support or recovery. Second, I will include it for patients with chronic injuries that need help offloading the joint to allow for healing.
Are there specific patient populations or conditions where you’ve found KT Tape especially effective?
I find KT Tape especially effective for active patients who are training for or competing in an activity, patients with chronic issues such as plantar fasciitis or rotator cuff injuries, and support for aching joints and back support.
Favorites & Patient Feedback
Which KT product(s) do you personally reach for most often—and why?
For myself personally, I reach the most for Recovery Wave, KT Tape Pro Extreme and Soothe cream. In my clinic, I mostly use the Pro Extreme tape and all three magnesium creams to use during soft tissue treatments.
What product(s) do your patients get most excited about or give the most positive feedback on?
The products my patients are most excited about are the magnesium infused creams, especially the Soothe lavender cream. They always ask me to use that during a cupping treatment.
Is there a particular taping application or KT product that’s become a "go-to" solution for your athletic or active patients?
There are two go-to applications for my active patients. The first is a three-strip shoulder application. This application supports both the glenohumeral joint and the AC joint while also promoting a “shoulders back” posture. The second is a two and a half strip knee application that promotes proper patellar tracking and offloads the patellar tendon below the knee.
Explore our shoulder taping video resources for step-by-step guidance on effective applications. For a deeper dive into knee support techniques, check out our Full Knee Application Page.
Tips, Tricks & Clinical Pearls
Do you have any pro tips on skin prep, tape placement, or stretch strategies that help improve outcomes?
Skin Prep: be sure to thoroughly clean and dry the skin before application. Both alcohol and soap and water work well to clean the area, just be sure the skin is completely dry before applying tape. Also, trim or shave hair in areas with more hair (legs, back, etc) to ensure proper adhesion of the tape.
Tape Placement: Do NOT start or end a strip of tape on another strip of tape. Be sure to start and end a strip of tape on skin for best adhesion. Do NOT stretch the ends to avoid ending on tape. Also be sure to avoid creases in tissue (armpit, elbow crease, back of the knee, etc) as the skin is more delicate and it will likely cause irritation.
Stretch Strategies: Do NOT stretch the ends of the tape...ever! Be sure to have a 1–2 inch anchor on each end of the tape with zero stretch to avoid blistering or agitation of the skin. I always recommend stretching the underlying skin more than stretching the tape to avoid irritation. For example, when taping the lower back, have the patient roll forward, stretching through the lower back, then apply the tape with little to no stretch. That way when the patient returns to normal posture, the decompression effect of the tape still occurs.
Are there common mistakes you see clinicians or patients make when using KT Tape—and how do you coach around them?
Yes! A lot of clinicians rush through the cleaning process and/or don’t wait for the skin to fully dry so the tape does not adhere properly. When the tape does not adhere properly, there is no benefit. Also, in haste, clinicians will overstretch the tape, especially at the anchors and this can cause irritation of the skin. When I see these issues, I just pull the clinician aside and instruct them on the proper technique and ensure they understand the purpose behind it so they are aware for the next time.
How do you maximize tape wear time or improve adhesion, especially in sweaty or high-friction areas?
As previously stated, properly cleaning the area is always very important. However, if I am applying tape to an athlete mid-competition and they need to return, I will clean and dry the skin, but also use a spray adhesive to increase adherence of the tape as they continue to sweat. To improve wear time, I make sure to educate the patient on being careful when putting on or taking off clothes in order to avoid catching an edge of the tape and peeling it off. I also let them know to avoid soaking the tape in water for prolonged periods when possible.
Why KT Tape Is a Staple
What made KT Tape stand out to you initially—and what has kept it as a staple in your clinical toolkit?
The first thing that stood out to me about KT Tape was the quality of the fabric. I personally prefer the synthetic fabric tapes because they last longer. The second thing that stood out is that each different type of tape has its own formula of adhesive and not just more or less of the same adhesive. I also like that KT Tape/KT Health have introduced many more products outside of tape. Those, plus the superior nature of the products, are why it is a staple in my clinic.
How does KT Tape support your goals as a sports chiropractor treating active patients?
KT Tape has been so supportive of the sports chiropractic profession as a whole which has been invaluable in my practice. The company is so generous with products and samples which help boost the knowledge and confidence in the clinicians and patients who use it.
How has having KT Tape on hand enhanced your clinic’s reputation or patient care experience?
Patients see KT Tape in the clinic, on me, or on other patients and ask questions about it and if it can help them. That curiosity fuels their desire in trying and using the tape and other products. I have many products on display in my clinic which starts many conversations about their use and if they can help with what the patient is dealing with. Once I use the products on patients and they feel better, they keep coming back for more because of the great experience they had.
A Personal Story + Advice to Fellow Clinicians
Can you recall a specific case where KT Tape made a big impact on a patient’s recovery or performance?
I was treating a young man several years ago who was a right-handed pitcher in high school and was having shoulder pain. He had gone to an ortho who told him to rest for 6 weeks. He did and the shoulder felt better...until he started pitching again. His dad brought him to my office and we did a progressive cupping protocol with adjustments and supportive KT Taping of the shoulder over the course of 6 weeks. By the end of the treatment plan, he was pain-free and throwing faster and harder than before. He is now pitching in college and has not had the same issue again.
What would you say to a fellow chiropractor who’s never used KT Tape before, or only dabbles with it occasionally?
I always highly encourage chiropractors to use KT Tape and other KT Health products because they are of amazing quality. If they aren't comfortable using it, I teach them or refer them to the KT Tape app or website for videos of how to use it. If I am at a convention or conference and KT Tape is a vendor, I always make it a point to not only visit the booth, but also tell everyone to visit it as well and learn about the products.
Want to learn more about how KT products can support your practice? Visit www.kttape.com for more education, taping demos, and product info, or explore our resources in the KT Tape App.
