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

2. 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

3. 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

4. Pre-Wrap
Protects skin and prevents blisters

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

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

7. 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“

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 1. For maximum support Tape over prewrap Tape directly to the skin
Tape distal to proximal
Shave the area
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16. 2. Pre-wrap … Makes tape stronger Provides cushion Decreases swelling
Decreases the chance of blisters
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17. 3. Tape stretches out after how long?
10 minutes
20 minutes
1 hour
Does not stretch
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18. Common Taping Techniques

19. 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

20. “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?

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

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

26. Elbow
Prevents elbow hyperextension

27. Specialty Tape: Kinesiotape
About Kinestiotape
Therapeutic tape that claims to:
Decrease pain
Decrease inflammation
Relax muscles
Enhance performance
LIMITED EVIDENCE IN RESEARCH!!

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

31. 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?

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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!

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

37. Closed Basket Weave Ankle Taping: Sample
Ankle Tape Video