Sports Taping
Sports strapping, also known as athletic taping, is a technique used by physiotherapists and sports medicine professionals to provide support, stability, and protection to joints and muscles during athletic activities. It involves applying adhesive tape to specific areas of the body to limit excessive movement, promote proper biomechanics, and reduce the risk of injury or re-injury.
Physiotherapists use sports strapping for several reasons in assisting recovery and facilitating a safe return to sport:
Joint stability: Taping can help stabilize joints that are prone to instability or have been injured. It provides external support and restricts excessive joint movement, helping to prevent further damage and promote healing. By limiting joint hyperextension, rotation, or lateral movement, taping can improve stability and reduce the risk of re-injury.
Injury prevention: Taping is often used proactively to prevent injuries, especially in sports that involve repetitive movements or high impact. By providing additional support to vulnerable areas, such as ankles, knees, or wrists, taping can help absorb forces, redistribute load, and reduce the risk of strains, sprains, and other traumatic injuries.
Pain reduction: Sports strapping can help alleviate pain by providing compression and support to injured or inflamed tissues. The tape's pressure can help reduce swelling, promote blood circulation, and relieve discomfort. It may also provide sensory feedback, which can help modify movement patterns and decrease pain perception.
Biofeedback and proprioception: Taping can improve proprioception, which is the body's sense of position and movement in space. By providing tactile feedback and enhancing joint awareness, taping can help athletes maintain better control and coordination during dynamic movements. This can be particularly beneficial during the rehabilitation process, as it helps retrain neuromuscular pathways and restore normal movement patterns.
Psychological support: Taping can have a psychological impact on athletes by instilling a sense of confidence and security. It may provide reassurance and remind athletes that they are receiving additional support during the recovery process, which can boost their mental resilience and encourage a successful return to sport.
It is important to note that sports strapping should be applied by trained professionals, such as physiotherapists or sports medicine practitioners, as they possess the knowledge and expertise to determine the most appropriate taping technique for each individual and their specific injury or condition. The type of tape used, the method of application, and the specific area being taped can vary depending on the intended purpose and the needs of the athlete.
Rigid taping and kinesiology taping are two different techniques used in sports strapping with distinct characteristics and purposes. Rigid taping involves the use of non-elastic adhesive tape, such as zinc oxide tape. It provides strong support and stability to joints and muscles by limiting excessive movement and reinforcing structures. Rigid taping is commonly used for acute injuries, high-impact sports, or when maximum stability is required.
On the other hand, kinesiology taping involves the application of elastic tape with specific patterns that mimic the elasticity and thickness of the skin. Kinesiology tape is designed to provide support while allowing for a greater range of motion. It aims to facilitate proper muscle and joint function, improve circulation and lymphatic drainage, and provide sensory feedback. Kinesiology taping is often used for chronic or overuse injuries, as well as during the later stages of rehabilitation when the emphasis is on movement retraining and functional recovery.
While sports strapping can be beneficial in assisting recovery and return to sport, it is typically used in conjunction with other rehabilitation techniques, such as exercise programs, manual therapy, and functional training, to provide a comprehensive approach to injury management and prevention.
If you need some sports taping, book here or contact us on 0402 832 329.
