Considerations for successful taping
Issue: Volume 27 Number 2
These considerations have been adapted from the Elastoplast Sport web site www.elastoplastsport.com.au
How to prepare the skin
Before you apply the tape, you need to prepare the area to be taped by:
- shaving the area — for best results, wet-shaving the skin 12 hours before or using an electric razor just prior
- cleaning the area by using a tape remover to remove the body oil
- covering any rashes or broken skin with a non-stick wound pad
- applying an underwrap to the area (optional). An underwrap will help protect tape-sensitive skin.
Where to apply the tape
Joints are normally strapped in their ‘at rest’ position.
Do not use the limb to pull against when getting the tape off the roll.
Hold the roll in one hand and pull the tape off with the other hand, then apply gently or cut off the required number of strips of the correct length before you start applying.
How tight should the tape be?
Flexing the muscles when applying the tape will help you get the correct tension.
Check that the tape is not too tight by pinching the skin below the tape for a few seconds. The skin should return to its normal colour when released.
If the tape is too loose, it will not support the joint.
If it is too tight, it could cut off the blood supply.
If numbness and tingling result, remove tape or bandage and reapply with reduced tightness.
How much tape to apply
For maximum strength, overlap each layer of strapping tape by one-third to one-half.
The amount you use depends on the amount of support you need. If you use too little, you are not providing enough support to the joint. If you use too much, you could reduce the mobility of surrounding muscles.
When to remove the tape
Remove the tape as soon as you have finished training or playing.
How to remove the tape
Ideally, remove the tape using bandage scissors. Place the scissors over a soft part of the limb (not over the bone) then slide under the tape and cut.
Peel down over the top of the tape. Do not peel at right angles away from the limb.
Peel gently and evenly — do not rip.
A tape remover can help to quickly and painlessly remove tapes and bandages. It also helps to remove any tape residue from the skin.
Which tape to use
To restrict joint movement, use a rigid strapping tape.
|
Use |
Product |
|
Preventative ankle taping |
Rigid strapping tape 38mm or 50mm for large joints |
|
Treatment such as injured ankle, elbow, fingers |
Rigid strapping tape 25mm or 12.5mm |
|
Treatment such as injured shoulder, knee, feet |
Rigid strapping tape 50mm |
Sports Medicine Australia is encouraging Australians to recognise the importance of injury prevention with the launch of the 2004 Leuko ® Strap & Wrap Smart injury prevention clinics.
Prevention techniques including warming up, stretching and taping vulnerable parts of the body such as ankles, wrists and knees will be taught at the Leuko ® Strap & Wrap Smart clinics held around Australia. Managing an injury in order to maximise rehabilitation will also be covered in the program.
To register for a Leuko ® Strap & Wrap smart clinic, telephone the Sports Medicine Australia office in your region.
