Taping is commonly used as an adjunct or temporary technique. Athletes often make use of taping as a protective mechanism in the presence of an existing injury. Some of the goals with taping are to restrict movement of injured joints, soft tissue compression to reduce swelling. support anatomical structures, and as protection from re-injury. Taping is used as one of the means of rehabilitation or prophylaxis in instances where support and stability is needed, as an first aid tool, for the prevention of injury and protection of an injured anatomical structure while healing is taking place.
Intended Purpose and Effect of Taping Techniques
- relieve your pain
- improve joint stability
- enhance athlete confidence
- reduce injury recurrence
- prevent injury
- reduce strain on injured or vulnerable tissues
- correct faulty biomechanics
- inhibit muscle action
- facilitate muscle action
- enhance proprioception
- compress in the presence of oedema or lymphatic drainage
Some of these purposes may be achieved through a combination of these possible effects of taping:
- mechanical effects
- neuromuscular effects
- psychological effects
There are different kinds of tape that can be employed:
- Rigid strapping tape commonly used in taping or strapping is often referred to as "sports tape" or "athletic tape" and is most often a rigid style of strapping tape.
- Elastic strapping tape can also be used when less rigidity or support is required.
- Kinesiology tape is an improved version of elastic sports tape that acts to dynamically assist your muscle function.
The benefits of taping include:
- Relief of both acute and chronic pain
- Improved circulation and lymphatic drainage
- Prevention/relief of cramps or spasms
- Prolongs and enhances the benefit of other therapeutic modalities
- Restores strength to weak or injured muscles
- Enhances muscle tone in weak/poorly toned muscles
- Reduction of inflammation, swelling, edema
- Reduced fatigue in overused muscles
- Supports without restricting range of motion
- Prevents overstretching or over contraction of injured muscles
- Improves mobility/flexibility in injured areas
The most common type of tape used in Kinesio® Tape. Kinesio® Tape is an elastic, cotton, water-resistant tape. The thickness and weight of the tape is designed to be similar to that of skin so it is comfortable and non-invasive. The tape is applied directly to the skin over the muscle that you are trying to affect. The tape is applied differently depending on the outcome desired, and is typically worn for three to five days and then left off for one to two days to allow the skin to rest.
When the tape is first tried with your child, the therapist will put on a small test piece to make sure that they are not going to have a skin reaction to the tape. The therapist will frequently re-assess your child's alignment and movement patterns. As your child progresses, taping applications change to support new skills and goals. Your child's therapist may educate you in how to apply the tape and remove it at home.
What is Dynamic Tape?
Dynamic Tape is a unique, strongly elastic tape developed by an Australian Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist which is used in the treatment of many sporting, musculoskeletal and neurological conditions.
How Does Dynamic Tape Work?
In many cases the tape is applied in such a way that it mimics the action of the injured muscle or tendon. The tape is placed on the body with the muscle or joint in the shortened position and with stretch on the tape. As the muscle or joint lengthens, the tape is stretched further and thereby absorbs load just as a bungee cord decelerates the jumper, absorbing load. This reduces the eccentric work of the muscles.
Once full range is reached, the absorbed energy is stored in the form of elastic potential energy. As the muscle or joint begins to shorten, the energy is released back into the biomechanical chain as kinetic energy, thereby assisting the concentric action of the muscle. This results in decreased workload and improved biomechanical efficiency of the musculo-tendinous unit, decreased metabolic demand and improved tolerance to fatigue.
Reducing load may result in less pain, better healing (can load sooner resulting in functional stress and better scar formation), improved endurance and performance. Dramatic improvements in circulation and lymphatics have also been observed. There are a number of mechanical and physiological mechanisms that are likely to contribute.
Dynamic Tape can be included in any Massage Therapy treatment or provided as a stand alone modality. Pricing varies depending on the region being taped and the amount of tape used.