taping

Taping and Strapping: Principles and Practices

Overview of Taping and Strapping

• Purpose: To explore the principles related to applying taping and strapping, including:

  • Indications for use

  • Evidence supporting application

  • Contraindications and precautions to consider

Purpose and Effects of Taping

• Taping can serve multiple purposes when applied to joints or anatomical structures, such as:

  • Pain Reduction:

  • Mechanical noxious stimulation may alleviate pain in the taped area.

  • Passive Stability:

  • Increases stability of anatomical structures, reducing strain on injured or vulnerable areas.

  • Application for Injury Prevention:

    • Protects against re-injury by providing biomechanical effects or neuromuscular effects (e.g., inhibiting or facilitating muscle activity).

  • Proprioceptive Benefits:

  • Enhances awareness of joint and structural position, improving stability and injury prevention.

  • Compression Benefits:

  • Helps control swelling and promote fluid movement away from the injured area.

Evidence and Duration of Taping Effects

• Mechanical Effects:

  • Short-lived; significant movement soon after taping may diminish mechanical benefits (e.g., lost positioning within minutes during weight bearing).

• Neuromuscular and Proprioceptive Effects:

  • Likely contribute to longer-lasting benefits from taping.

Principles of Rigid Tape Application

• Application Guidelines:

  • Tape anchors must be placed above and below the targeted area.

  • Supporting strips of tape applied under tension, maintaining anatomical structures in a shortened or protected position.

• Application Methods:

  • Push Method:

  • Tape is pushed from the bottom towards the top anchor.

  • The skin is stabilized to maintain tape tension.

  • Pull Method:

  • Tape is pulled between two anchors while pushing soft tissues in the opposite direction to create tension.

• Kinesio Tape:

  • Applied with specific cutting techniques, commonly pre-cut, depending on area and desired effect.

Indications for Taping Based on Postural Observations

• Patella Drift Observation:

  • Drifting patella (lateral and superior positioning), possibly linked to knee pain.

  • Potential Taping Effects:

  • Mechanical repositioning of patella.

  • Neuromuscular effect on quadriceps muscles (inhibiting lateral quad, facilitating VMO activity).

  • Proprioceptive benefit, increasing awareness of patellar positioning.

• Reassessment Following Taping:

  • Test retest principles (e.g., squats) used to evaluate benefits post-taping.

Application Examples

• Postural Distortion Case:

  • Observation of excessive rear foot eversion indicating potential for taping intervention:

  • Potential Effects of Taping:

  • Mechanical (lifting the arch),

  • Neuromuscular (enhancing tibialis posterior or foot muscle activity),

  • Proprioceptive awareness improvement.

• MCL Injury Context:

  • Taping used to replicate support for an injured MCL, helping to stabilize the knee.

  • Transitioning from bracing to taping as the patient's capacity improves.

Psychological and Sensory Benefits of Taping

• Increased confidence and comfort may enhance performance during activities, particularly in sports settings.

• Continued application of tape may be preferred by athletes for added security, even post-injury.

Fluid Movement Effects and Clinical Evidence

• Theory of Elastic Tape Application:

  • Compression of blood vessels and lymphatics due to inflammation.

  • Taping might lift and relieve pressure on overlying tissues, improving fluid movement.

• Example of Clinical Evidence:

  • Application of kinesio tape over a significant hamstring injury supported by anecdotal reduction of bruising.

Evidence in Literature

• Barton (2014) Review:

  • Immediate pain reduction for patellofemoral pain with taping reported.

  • Enhanced activation of the VMO muscle observed in patients with improved response to exercise.

• 2019 Findings:

  • Suggest taping can reduce ankle sprain risk, particularly in high-risk individuals.

  • Mixed evidence exists, indicating varying patient outcomes.

General Guidelines for Taping

• Indications:

  • Acute injury management, prevention of re-injury, rehabilitation facilitation, and pain relief.

• Contraindications:

  • Patient allergies, active infections, or skin irritations.

• Application Considerations:

  • Ensure skin cleanliness, optimal positioning, and use of appropriate bony landmarks for anchors.

  • Avoid crinkles in tape and be mindful of the aesthetics (compliance with sporting rules).

Tape Attention and Removal

• Monitoring for Allergy Reactions:

  • Conduct patch tests if allergic reactions to tape are questionable.

• Tape Duration Guidelines:

  • Rigid tape typically lasts 2-3 days; kinesio tape may last a few extra days.

• Safe Removal Practices:

  • Educate about removal methods to avoid injuries; consider the use of oils or tape removers for assistance.

Key Takeaways

• Effective taping requires consideration of individual patient needs, impairments, and reassessment to gauge effectiveness.

• Approach with caution considering contraindications and proper technique is critical for success in treatment plans applying taping as a supportive intervention.

• Familiarity with multiple taping techniques and continuous knowledge development throughout your clinical career is key to effective application.

• Engage in case studies to reflect on and implement learnings in practical scenarios.