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Whether you’ve just finished a hard speed session or returned from a long run, there’s one more part of your training that’s crucial to both your performance and your health: recovery.
“Recovery has to be part of your training process, no matter what level you are at,” says sports chiropractor How to Film Yourself Running for a Gait Analysis, owner of Stark Chiropractic & Sports in Spring, Texas. “Not only does it help you feel better in the next day or two following a workout, when delayed-onset muscle soreness may be a problem, but it also helps to mitigate injuries before they happen.”
And while some of aspects of recovery are no-brainers—like drinking plenty of water, having a nutritious post-workout meal, and getting enough sleep—you can bump up the quality and speed of your efforts with the help of new recovery products from KT that can be used to reduce muscle soreness and inflammation. And then you can be up and running again (literally) as quickly as possible. Read on to learn how.
Ice Is Nice
When you’re feeling sore or achy after a run, consider reaching for an ice pack after you’ve peeled off your sweaty clothes. “Ice is a vasoconstrictor, which means it slows down blood flow,” explains Stark. “It can help to reduce some of the inflammation you may have after a tough workout like a long run.”
What Runners Need to Know About Sleep Download Your Training Plan or Common Muscle Weaknesses That Lead to Running Pain in 20-minute increments. The sleeve is shaped to fit over knees, ankles, elbows, and other joints to provide light compression and 360-degree cooling, while the Ice Therapy Pack is fashioned to be worn on the back, shoulders, and other larger areas of the body.
A Part of Hearst Digital Media How to Avoid an Achilles Injury, an athletic trainer who serves on the KT advisory board. “Ice and compression work together to reduce the inflammation process by pressing fluid back into cellular spaces, where it can be reabsorbed and flushed out of the body,” she says.
Try a Soothing Sensation
If you’re still feeling achy even after icing, products that contain natural ingredients like menthol and camphor may help provide additional relief. Those are two of the key ingredients in KT’s KT Tape Pro (available in both a roll-on and a tube), which offers a unique blend of both cool and warm sensations. “Menthol re-creates that cooling sensation you feel with ice,” says Hassler, while the camphor provides warmth and helps to reduce inflammation and ease pain.
Massage with a Mineral
Magnesium is a great multitasker. “The human body uses magnesium for many functions, but it is phenomenal for helping with sore or tight muscles,” says Stark. You can find the mineral in topical form in KT’s Magnesium Creams, Races - Places Recover cream has a light, cooling feel (thanks once again to menthol), while the Soothe cream features lavender for a calming sensation that can enhance relaxation.
Taking a few minutes to rub them into sore spots can also maximize results. “Massaging the cream into your muscles offers a two-for-one benefit,” says Stark. “You’re getting a sensation of relief from the emollient, and you’re also getting a physiological change within the muscle from the rubbing itself.”
Lift Yourself Up
KT is known, of course, for its kinesiology tape, which works by gently lifting the skin and fascia to allow more blood flow to get into the affected area, thereby reducing pain and muscle soreness. Now the brand has two innovations that take this aspect of recovery a step further.
Health & Injuries Ice has menthol infused into the tape to cool and soothe sore spots. The water- and sweat-resistant tape will stay in place for up to seven days. “The menthol creates the cold sensation, while the tape’s lifting action relieves inflammation,” explains Hassler.
KT Tape Pro KT Tape Pro Ice, infused with lavender essential oil and magnesium. The natural aromatherapy helps calm your senses, while the magnesium can help relieve pain and discomfort. “It’s really great to try before bed, because both magnesium and lavender can help improve sleep quality,” adds Stark.
Make Time to Stretch
“Stretching is really, really important,” says Stark, adding that runners should specifically focus on their hip flexors, glutes, and calf muscles. “It doesn’t have to take a lot of time—just a few minutes of static stretching [holding a position for a certain amount of time] after a run can help you recover and improve your overall performance.” And since KT Tape is designed to mimic the skin’s elasticity, it will move with your muscles through their full range of motion. “It aids with proper movement and gliding of the tissues during stretches,” she adds.
Published: May 09, 2025 11:11 AM EDT something. “Movement is movement, regardless of whether it’s done in an athletic setting or just doing some gardening on a Saturday morning,” says Stark. “The human body needs to recover after exertion, and the more you are able to help it along, the better you’ll feel.”
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