Why tape? ALWAYS have a therapeutic goal! TAPING! Why tape? ALWAYS have a therapeutic goal!

Reasons to Tape Injury prevention Provide additional support to an injured structure Decrease painful range of motion (ROM) Provide feedback to body during movement Occasionally- improve athlete confidence/mentality** Be careful with this. Talk about working with little kids

Taping Supplies Pre-Wrap Tough Skin Adhesive Spray Heel and Lace Pads Non-elastic white athletic tape Elastic/Stretch Adhesive Tape Tape Removal: Medical Scissors Shark

Pre-Wrap Protects skin and prevents blisters

Tough Skin Adhesive Spray Makes skin sticky for better adherence of pre-wrap and tape

Heel and Lace Pads Foam pad and skin lube help prevent blisters in friction-prone areas under tape

Non-elastic White/AthleticTape Great adaptability! Help to hold dressings and provide support and protection to injured areas Comes in varied sizes 1”, 1 1/2” , 2“

Elastic/Stretch Adhesive Tape Often used with non-elastic tape Good for small, angular parts due to elasticity. Comes in a variety of widths (1”, 2”, 3”, 4”) More expensive than non-elastic tape

Taping Supplies are expensive and may not fit budget Can be time consuming Tape will stretch maximally effect for about 20 minutes Some studies question how much tape limits movement and provides supports Some studies show braces may be equal or better

Proper Taping Technique Tape directly to skin for maximum support Pre-wrap helps protect skin prevent blister Should only be applied one layer thick Tape width used depends on area Angle the tape with the shape of the body

Tearing Tape Should always hold the roll of tape Do not bend, twist, or wrinkle the tape Tearing should result in a straight edge with no loose strands Some tapes may require scissors

Rules for Tape Application Tape in the position in which joint must be stabilized Overlap the tape by half (prevent blisters) Avoid continuous taping Must tear the tape or it gets too tight

Rules for Tape Application Keep tape roll in hand whenever possible Save time Finish with pieces that close up all the loose edges– these will peel up when the athlete starts to sweat Smooth and mold tape as it is laid down on skin Feel for wrinkles with your free hand Make it look good=confidence from athlete

Class Rules During Taping Don’t get frustrated- it is a learned skill that takes A LOT of practice! To remove tape: use medical scissors or shark NO CRAFT SCISSORS! Let the person that is taped cut their own tape off

1. For maximum support Tape over prewrap Tape directly to the skin Tape distal to proximal Shave the area 0 of 30

2. Pre-wrap … Makes tape stronger Provides cushion Decreases swelling Decreases the chance of blisters 0 of 30

3. Tape stretches out after how long? 10 minutes 20 minutes 1 hour Does not stretch 0 of 30

Common Taping Techniques

Buddy Taping (fingers and toes) Uses: support an injured finger using the finger beside it Size: thin piece of tape Position: elbow flexed, fingers together Steps: Wrap above and below the injured joint Should be able to bend finger Can put gauze or thin piece of foam between fingers for comfort Check circulation

“Hey Ms. Harpham, Can you tape my wrist?” 3 Options: Wrist Wrist and hand Wrist, hand, and thumb How do you know which to do?? What is your therapeutic goal? Where is there injury? (…is there an injury?) How much immobilization do they need? How much movement do they need to play their sport?

Wrist Uses: support wrist, limit extension Position: fingers abducted (spread out) and forearm flexed or making a fist with forearm flexed; athlete must hold arm still Steps: 1 layer of pre-wrap (only tape 3-4 finger width above wrist) Tape must cover wrist joint Apply 2 layers of 4 support strips -1st layer go distal to proximal -2nd layer go proximal to distal

Wrist and Hand Uses: support wrist, limit extension more than just wrist tape alone Position: fingers abducted (spread out) and forearm flexed or making a fist with forearm flexed; athlete must hold arm still Steps: 1 layer of pre-wrap around wrist and through hand Apply 1 layer of 4 support strips: 3-4 finger widths above wrist joint- must cover wrist joint Apply 1-2 strips of tape starting at dorsal ulnar styloid process, through webbing of hand, and down to palmar ulnar styloid process (fold over tape in web space to prevent irritation) Apply 2nd layer of 4 support strips to wrist

Wrist, Hand, and Thumb Uses: support wrist and thumb, limit hyperextension of thumb Position: Fingers and thumb abducted, wrist neutral; athlete must hold arm still 2-3 anchors around wrist 1 anchor through hand 2-3 spica around thumb: dorsal ulnar styloid to palmar ulnar styloid (Be sure to cover MCP joint at base of thumb) Optional: C-strips to prevent abduction of thumb Close at wrist Thumb Taping Video

Specialty Tape: Elastikon Elastic-cloth tape with adhesive Use to assist or resist a particular range of motion Achilles tendon tape: assist plantar flexion Elbow: Resist hyperextension

Achilles Tendon Takes stress off Achilles Prevents over stretching Assists with plantar flexion Talk about dorsiflexion assist

Elbow Prevents elbow hyperextension

Specialty Tape: Kinesiotape About Kinestiotape Therapeutic tape that claims to: Decrease pain Decrease inflammation Relax muscles Enhance performance LIMITED EVIDENCE IN RESEARCH!! http://www.kinesiotaping.com/about/about-video

Closed Basket Weave Ankle Taping Most common injury: lateral ankle sprain. Therefore- most common tape application!

Anatomy Check! What two lower leg bones make up the proximal part of the ankle joint? Tibia and Fibula What range of motion can occur at the ankle? Dorsiflexion Plantar Flexion Inversion Eversion Which of these motions is most commonly associated with injury?

Closed Basket Weave Ankle Taping: Step by Step Clean ankle, neutral position (90 degrees) Heel and lace pads – and 1 layer of pre-wrap 2-3 anchors at the top just below the calf Optional anchor at the distal end proximal to metatarsal arch Don’t make this too tight – it will squeeze the metatarsals and be uncomfortable

Closed Basket Weave Ankle Taping: Step by Step “C” strips – overlap the anchor and close in the tibia 3 stir-ups Start on the medial (inside) & pull under the heel up to the lateral side of anchor Pull toward the side that is injured Follow each stir-up with another “C” strip, overlapping previous by half

Closed Basket Weave Ankle Taping: Step by Step 2 Heel Locks Each Side Keeps the heel from moving side to side Method One: Medial: Start on bottom of foot towards lateral side, up the medial side of ankle, up and over to top of ankle Lateral: Start on bottom of foot towards medial side, up the lateral side of ankle, up and over top of ankle. Method Two: “start in valley, behind, under, back to the start” = 1/2 heel lock

Closed Basket Weave Ankle Taping: Step by Step 2 Figure 8’s Around the arch and above the ankle Prevents plantarflexion (toes going down) Close with “C” strips Cover up all loose tape ends- make it look good!

Heel locks are close to the heel and compact Figure 8 goes just above and below the heel lock

Closed Basket Weave Ankle Taping: Sample Ankle Tape Video