Athletic Taping: Benefits & Risks You Should Know

What is athletic taping ?

Athletic Tapingis the process of applying Rigid Tape directly/indirectly to the skin in order to maintain a stable position of bones and muscles during athletic activity.

It is a procedure that uses tape attached to the skin to physically keep in place muscles or bones at a certain position.

Most effective for instability or injury support.

This reduces pain and aids recovery.

Rigid strapping tape commonly used in taping or strapping is often referred to as “sports tape” or “athletic tape” and is most often a rigid style of strapping tape.

Athletic taping used to:

Relieve pain

Improve joint stability

Enhance athlete confidence

Reduce injury recurrence

Prevent injury

ADVANTAGES:

Injury Prevention:

Athletic taping is recognized as one of the top preventative measures for reduction of injuries in collision sports.

These injuries often occur as a result of extrinsic factors such as collision with other players or equipment.

Athletic taping has also been shown to reduce the severity in injuries, as well as the occurrence of injury in most sports.

Injury Management:

Tape is often applied to manage symptoms of chronic injuries such as medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints), patella-femoral syndrome, and turf toe.

Pain Management:

Athletic tape can be applied to ease pain symptoms as well. Taping along the nerve tract of irritated or inflamed tissue can shorten the inflamed region and reduce pain.

Post-Injury benefits:

Stabilizing and supporting joints after injuries to the muscle or ligament

Assisting and allowing the athlete to return to activity after minor injuries

Preventing and reducing further harm to injured area

Maintaining proper biomechanics during activity

Preventing neuromuscular damage

Reducing force on the area during activity

DISADVANTAGES:

Incorrect athletic taping may lead to blistering or future injuries.

After activity and motion begins, the stiffness of the tape reduces.

Physiological dependency on using tape

Expensive, especially when it is needed frequently

9 rules for taping:

Tape joint in proper position

Position for stabilization

Overlap the tape by half

Avoid continuous taping

Keep tape roll in hand whenever possible

Allow tape to follow contours of the skin

Smooth and mold tape as it is laid down on skin

Always start taping with anchors

Always finish taping with locking strips

Do not apply tape if skin is hot or cold from treatments

Altered sensation

Altered circulation