Basic theoretical conceptual understanding of Sports taping techniques and procedures

1. Dr. Saravanan M. PT (PhD)

3. 10/15/2017 3

4. • Taping application affects
– Physiological
– Biomechanical
– Neuro-physiological
– Psychological
• Needs
– Clinical reason for application
– Proper evaluation and assessment
• Improper taping or taping for no reason
can predispose injury*
* Frett & Railey (1994)

6. • Its wide range of usage
–Prophylactic
–During any stage of rehabilitation
•Acute
•Chronic

7. • Among all population
–Active
–Sedentary
–Children
–Elderly

8. • Increase in taping usage over the recent
years due to
• Therapist’s readily advocating innovative treatment
practices and methods
• Easy availability of tapes in variety of ranges

9. • Hold wounds, dressings
• Compress acute injury site
• Protective
• During rehab & healing
• Restrictive
Viljaka, Rokkenen
(1983)
PURPOSE OF TAPING

10. • Supportive
– Ligaments
– Capsule
– Muscle
– Tendon
• Proprioceptive feedback
• Specificity to function
Evidence-based TAPING, WRAPPING, & BRACING: Gary Wilkerson, Scott Bruce
Andreasson G edberg B, mechanical tape to prevent athletic injuries, textile research
journal, 1983

11. • Acute stage of Injury
– Support & Protection
• Reduction of swelling
• Limitation of unwanted motion
• Reduction of pain
• Chronic stage
– Early return to functional activity

12. SPECIFICITY OF TAPING IN CLINICAL
SYMPTOMS
• Pain relief1
• Control of edema2
1. Ingersoll & knight (1991), koh et al (1992), conway et al (1992), bockrath et al (1993),
cushnagan et al (1994), cerny (1995), powers et al (1997), gilleard et al (1998), handfield &
kramer (2000), cowan et al (2001).
2. Mccluskey et al (1976), muwanga et al (1986), viljakka (1986), möller-larsen et al (1988),
rucinski et al (1991), o’hara et al (1992), eiff et al (1994), leanderson & wredmark (1995),
karlsson et al (1996), specchiulli et al (1997).

13. • Manage Mechanical Instability 3
• Improve Functional stability4
• Injury prevention5
3. Rarick et al (1962), Laughman et al (1980), Larsen (1984), Myburgh et al (1984), Vaes et al (1985), Greene
& Hillman (1990), Frankeny et al (1993), Alt et al (1999).
4. Freeman et al (1965), Glick et al (1976), Hamill et al (1986), Karlsson & Andreasson (1992), Karlsson &
Andreasson (1992), Konradsen & Hojsgaard (1993), Konradsen et al (1993), Feuerbach et al (1994), Jerosch
et al (1995), Lentell et al (1995), Jerosch et al (1995), Robbins et al (1995), Lentell et al (1995), Ashton-Miller
et al (1996), Lohrer et al (1999), Refshauge et al (2000), Konradsen et al (2000).
5. Garrick & Requa (1973), Tropp et al (1985), Bahr et al (1994), Sitler et al (1994), Surve et al (1994), Sharpe
et al (1997).

14. • Affects neuromotor control, by altering joint
mechanics
• Affects proprioceptive feedback
• Assist in restoration in balance
• Assist in pain management by affecting ROM,
off-loading pain producing tissues
Lohrer, Collhofer (1999), Wilkerson (2002), Callaghan, Selfe (2002),
Alexander, McMullan (2008)
Mechanism of Action

15. TAPE Vs BRACE

16. BRACE
• No expertise needed; can
be applied by the patient
• Reusable
• Non-allergenic
• Adjustable
• Cost-effective
• Certain braces may be
banned from some sports
• Individually applied
• Less bulky than a brace
• Caters for unusual
anatomy
• Some expertise needed to
apply
• Acceptable form of
support in all sports
TAPE

17. TAPE APPLICATION

18. TAPING TERMS
– Anchors
– Stirrups
• U-loop
• Vertical
– Butterfly or
Check reins
– Lock strips
– Heel locks
– Figure of eight
– Closing up
Commonly used strips

19. • Under wrap/pro wrap
• Padding
• Adhesive spray
• Dehesive spray
• Tape cutter
• Bandage scissors
• Lubricants

20. 3 stages
–Pre application
–Application
–Post application

21. • Consent from the patient
• Comfort of the patient
• Allergic response to tape
– Test dose
• Assessment
• Choice of tape
• Technique based on purpose
Pre Application

22. Elastic Adhesive
Bandage (EAB)
Rigid tape
Kinesio tape
CHOICE OF TAPE

23. RIGID TAPE
• Highly adhesive, non-elastic
• Slightly porous
• Useful in
– Restricting planar ROM around a joint
– Immobilization
– To act prophylactically
– To secure the ends of stretch tape
– To reinforce stretch tape
– To enhance proprioception
– To support inert structures, e.g. ligaments, joint capsule

24. EAB
• Both elastic and adhesive
• Useful in
– Compression over contusion
– Maintain compression without compromising
circulation
– Anchor around muscle area

25. KINESIO TAPE
• Characteristics of tape same as skin
• Made of 100% cotton
• Available in different colors
• Worn for several days
• Useful in
– Enhancing function & recovery

26. • Starting position
– Patient
– Therapist
• Skin preparation of area to be taped
• Techniques of application
Application

27. SKIN PREPARATION
• Various skin types
– Dirty
– Wet
– Oily
– Hairy
– Hypersensitive

28. • Skin should be
– Dry
– Clean
– Hair free
• Cuts or wounds
– Bandaged / covered

30. • Hypersensitive areas
– Covered with pads
– Lubricated
– Under wrap

31. • Monitoring results
–No compromise to circulation of area
being taped
– Functional Assessment
– Removal of tape
Post Application

33. Follow the contours of the limb
Overlay strips about half width
Pain free yet functional ROM

34. Successful Taping
• Depends on understanding of
– Mechanism of injury
– Pathogenesis / pathophysiology
– Extent of injury
– General repair process
– Functional anatomy of area to be taped
Most importantly – limitations
of tape

35. • A thorough assessment is necessary before
taping any structure
– Has the injury been thoroughly assessed?
– How did the injury occur?
– What structures were damaged?
– What tissues need protection and support?
– What movements must be restricted?

36. – Is the injury acute or chronic?
– Is immobilization necessary at this stage?
– Am I familiar with the anatomy and biomechanics
of the parts involved?
– Can I visualize the purpose for which the tape is
to be applied?
– Am I familiar with the technique?
– Do I have suitable materials at hand?

37. • Skill level
• Surface commonly used
• Equipments commonly used
• Speed, duration, direction and repetition of actions
• ADL
Olmstead, vela (2004)

38. PRACTICE
PRACTICE
PRACTICE

40. QUESTIONS