Taping Objectives

Chapter 2 Taping Objectives


The rationale for taping is to provide protection and support for an injured part while permitting optimal functional movement. An essential rehabilitation tool, taping enhances healing by allowing early activity within carefully controlled ranges that can facilitate a faster recovery from injury.1–7 Taping also permits an earlier return to activity, play or competition by protecting the area from further injury or exacerbation of the existing injury and avoiding compensatory injuries elsewhere such as delayed hip muscle activation, as can happen with severe ankle injuries.8 Taping also reduces pain (for a full explanation, see the Epilogue).



TAPE VERSUS BRACE


There is ample evidence to suggest that in many cases the use of a brace is as good as and in some cases more efficient than tape at supporting and promoting the repair of damaged tissues.9–23 However, certain types of braces are inappropriate (usually those with metal, hard plastic or carbon fibre), especially in contact sports. Tape is usually the support of choice, especially when the athlete can return to activity, training and competition with the assistance of the support that tape can offer.


We have to ask the question: if an athlete needs significant support in order to train or compete, should they be doing it? The answer of course is NO! Likewise, if after taping the individual still experiences pain with activity, they should STOP! The tape should be removed and the injury should be reevaluated.



BRACING




• No expertise needed; can be applied by the patient


• Reusable


• Non-allergenic


• Adjustable


• Cost-effective


• Certain braces may be banned from some sports



TAPING




• Individually applied


• Less bulky than a brace


• Caters for unusual anatomy


• Some expertise needed to apply


• Acceptable form of support in all sports



PURPOSES AND BENEFITS


The purposes and benefits of correctly applied tape jobs are delineated as follows.



PURPOSES




• Supports an injured structure


• Limits harmful ranges of motion


• Enhances repair and recovery


• Allows pain-free functional movement


• Permits protected resumption of activities


• Decreases pain



BENEFITS




• Circulation is enhanced through pain-free movement


• Swelling is controlled


• Prevents:


a. worsening of initial injury

b. compensatory injury to adjacent parts

c. atrophy from non-use

• Allows:


a. continued body conditioning and strength often lost during postinjury inactivity

b. maintenance of ability to react often lost due to inhibitive factors (pain, fear of reinjury)


HOW LONG CAN YOU LEAVE TAPE ON FOR?


Sports tape is designed to stay on for the duration of the sport and then it should be removed. Care must be taken when taping, especially when encircling an area of the body as the blood and nerve supplies can be compromised (see below). Always get feedback from the individual, check for signs of a compromised blood supply and ask appropriate questions for a compromised nerve supply. When support is needed for longer periods, one should select the appropriate materials and techniques and warn the individual of what to be aware of and to remove the tape and seek advice if they are unsure.


Taping can only be truly beneficial if the injury is properly assessed and diagnosed and the appropriate taping technique is utilized. An inappropriate taping technique can place strain on associated regions, cause blisters or irritation and, in some cases, increase the severity of the injury and cause further damage to surrounding structures.


In order to apply the tape safely and effectively, it is essential that the taper appreciate both the aims of taping and situations to avoid. In this chapter, these criteria are outlined.



PRETAPING CONSIDERATIONS


Always explain the reasons for taping to the patient so that they are fully informed of why you are recommending tape and they can give their consent to be taped. Always enquire if they have experienced allergic reactions to tape. A simple question is usually sufficient, such as ‘Is your skin irritated by wearing a Band-Aid?’. If in doubt, you may apply a small test patch of tape to the skin as a method of assessment. If the patient does have known allergic reactions or develops one, try underwrap or hypoallergenic tapes or skin balms. Should the patient feel any irritation from the tape at any time, it should be removed immediately and the skin washed and cleaned.


By using the mnemonic S.U.P.P.O.R.T. to review the goals of effective taping, the taper can quickly run through a critical checklist before choosing the best technique and materials for that particular injury.



imageNOTE:


Taping alone is not a definitive treatment: for your convenience, charts have been included in Chapter Four (Basic Pathology) and Chapters Six to Nine (Techniques) to help put the taping in perspective relative to the entire treatment plan.

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Related posts:

Default ThumbnailEpilogue Basic Pathology Taping Supplies Wrist and Hand Knee and Thigh Foot and Ankle

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Jul 18, 2016 | Posted by in MANUAL THERAPIST | Comments Off on Taping Objectives

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