Taping means using specialised tape (often called ‘sports tape’) applied to the outside of the skin in an attempt to relieve injured structures.
Taping is mainly used for sprains with the following purposes:
1. Primary prevention to protect healthy ligaments during particularly risky loads.
2. Acute treatment after a sprain to avoid further damage to the damaged ligament.
3. Rehabilitation after a sprain to enable early controlled loading to speed up recovery.
4. Secondary prevention to avoid re-injury during the recovery period (3-6 months) and any subsequent chronic immobilisation.
Taping can also be used to relieve strain on overloaded structures such as:
1. Bones, e.g. in fatigue fractures (metatarsal stress fracture)
2. Tendon, e.g. inflammation of the hollow foot tendon (plantar fasciitis).
Taping is additionally used to correct ‘malalignments’ (biomechanical correction):
1. patella stabilisation for pain around the kneecap triggered by poor patella tracking (patella malalignment)
2. Elbow stabilisation to avoid pain triggered by overstretching (hyper-extension)
3. Fat pad stabilisation for pain under the heel triggered by a damaged fat pad.
General principles of taping:
1. Shave off the hairs where the tape will be placed. The tape will adhere better and be less painful to remove.
2. Wash the skin clean and dry it thoroughly before applying the tape. The tape will adhere better.
3. Tape sticks better to tape than to skin, which is why circular strips of tape are often applied as ‘anchors’ and ‘locks’.
4. Tape applied in a circular pattern on arms or legs should be elastic tape and should be applied loosely while the underlying muscles are tensed.
5. The tape should be applied smoothly without creases to improve adhesion and minimise the risk of chafing.
6. Adjust the width of the tape to the size of the structure you want to tape. A width of 2.5 – 3.5 cm is generally used.
7. Use as little tape as possible and avoid tape wraps that compromise normal movement function unless this is desired.
8. Rub the tape thoroughly after it is applied, as it sticks better when heated.
9. If you have problems with the tape coming off, you can spray on a liquid plaster or adhesive spray before application.
10. Be aware that old tape and tape that has been exposed to high heat will lose some of its adhesive properties.
11. When removing the tape, the skin and tape should be carefully separated to minimise skin irritation.
12. Prolonged use of tape often causes skin irritation and possibly allergic reactions.
(The material ‘General Taping’ and ‘TAPE 1 – 10’ is made by rheumatological specialist Finn Johannsen in collaboration with Norvartis Healthcare A/S)
Specific taping:
3. Big toe tape
4. Midfoot tape
5c. Ankle tape, 8-roll bandage
5d. Ankle tape, double figure of 8 bandage
7. Kneecap stabilising bandage
10. Finger tape
12. Toenail tape
