What Is Taping?
Taping is a technique that is used by number of health professionals to help the patient in a number of ways. Taping is used to:
- Reduce pain
- Improve joint stability
- Enhance muscle functions
- Prevent injuries
- Reduce re-injuries
- Reduce swelling
- Support posture
There are different types of tapes for different purposes:
- Rigid taping
- Elastic taping
- Kinesiotaping
- Hypo-allergenic tape
How Does Taping Help?
With injuries like a ligament sprain or muscle strain, injured structures are damaged and they become inflamed. Due to the tissue being damage, it affects the joint and surrounding structures lose their normal functional abilities. Thus, they are prone to re-injury, so the body’s ability to heal the damaged structures is affected.
To prevent re-injury and assist in the healing, taping is used to achieve the following results:
- Improve joint stability
- Reduce range of motion
- Provide support to injured ligament or muscles
- Reduce swelling.
Depending on the cause of injury and your therapist’s purpose, different types of taping can be used to achieve the best outcome.
Preparation and Removal
Before applying the tape, you should prepare the skin by:
- Reduce pain
- Clean the area
- Remove body oils
- Cover the skin rashes or wound
- Apply underwrap for hyper-sensitive skins
There are different types of tapes for different purposes:
- Use bandage scissors and cut the tape
- It is best to take tape off from the right angle
- Peel it slowly and gently, do not rip
- Tape can be softened in warm water before the removal
- Tape remover can be used as well
What Are Possible Side Effects From The Tape?
Some people have hypersensitive skin than others, in certain types of people they can have an allergic response from the adhesives of tape. Symptoms can include skin irritation, burning sensation, itchiness and redness of the skin. Also, if you are not careful when taking off the tape while your skins is moist, it can cause a breakage of your skin.
How Long Do I Have To Leave The Tape For?
As long as the you feel comfortable and supported with the tape, it can be left on for 2-3 days. You shouldn’t leave the tape on for more than 3 days so you don’t irritate your skin. You can shower with it also. We would recommend using a hair dryer to dry the tape after having a shower.
Summary
Taping is a therapeutic technique that can be used to provide support to the injured joint and structures in order to promote healing and reduce inflammation. There are precautions to consider before applying the tape including potential skin irritation and having an allergic response. Patients should follow the practitioner’s instructions to avoid possible side effects and to achieve the best outcomes.
Thank you for reading, and we hope you benefited from this article. To receive taping treatment from our physiotherapists or chiropractors,
call Masnad Health Clinic (02 9793 8840) or BOOK ONLINE