Sports taping Injury Straps & Support Tapes

You have probably been watching some form of sporting activity such as athletics, volleyball or cycling and wondered why we now see athletes bodies covered in stripes of colourful tape. This tape is specifically called kinesiology tape or more commonly Kinesio tape. According to the manufacturer's website applied over muscles to reduce pain and inflammation, relax overused or tired muscles, and support muscles in movement on a 24-hour-a-day basis. The process requires the application of tape directly to the skin to hold muscles or bones at a certain position. This reduces pain and aids recovery.

Taping and Strapping

Kinesio-taping (KT) method Taping techniques are commonly used by physiotherapists in the treatment of pain relief and prevention of sports injuries. This technique can be often used for patients who are suffering from knee pain. The benefits of kt tape application is the breadth of conditions it covers with its relatively simple effects of balancing the muscles effect on the knee and relieving pressure on the kneecap and its tendon.

Kinesiology tape (KNT) through taping historically had an association to Dr Kenzo Kase, a Japanese chiropractor who wanted a tape that provided support but didn’t limit the range of motion the way traditional athletic tapes do. KT support tape can be applied in a number of different ways depending on the required action. Examples are to release tension in overworked muscles, encourage activation in weaker muscles, support structures in protected positions where excessive movement can delay healing, managed swelling and give proprioceptive feedback to improve posture or movement control in the area.

How does taping prevent injury?

The general consensus is that taping does help prevent reoccurrence of an injury. There are two most likely explanations for this. First, the tape gives the joint mechanical support, it allows the joints and muscles to be stabilised during activity. This means that the tape prevents the joint from moving too far in any one direction and hyperextending the joint beyond the normal range of motion.

How does Kinesiology support tape work?

When sports tape is applied to an inflamed or swollen area of the body, the lifting motion of the tape lifts the skin and creates a space between the top layer of skin and the underlying tissues. KNT is purported to increase circulation by reducing local pressure. This space creates a pressure gradient between this area and the surrounding tissues that allows fluids to move into the lymphatic vessels and be eliminated from the body. 

 Prevent Injuries with Kinesio Tape

Kinesio tape can be used to prevent injuries 

• Back injuries
• Hamstring injuries
• Calf injuries
• Ankle injuries

If you are preparing for a big sporting event and want to ensure that do the most the protect yourself get in touch with your local physiotherapist at Abbey Physiotherapy.

In consequence, different types of sports taping can be used ranging from rigid to full flexible and includes Kineseotape ('K') Dynamic tape, Zinc Oxide and Elastic Adhesive Bandage