Taping Techniques

DR SATBIR SINGH
SPORTS MEDICINE CONSULTANT AND
FITNESS EXPERT
Objectives
Support an injured structure
Limit harmful movements
Allow pain free functional
movements
Permit early resumption of activities
Benefits
Enables circulation
Controls swelling
Prevents worsening of injury
Allows continued body conditioning
and strength training
Maintains ability to react
Prevents re injury
Effects of taping
Mechanical stability
Functional stability
Reduce oedema
Reduce pain
TAPING SUPPLIES
Essential supplies
– Razor and soap
– Adhesive elastic
tape
– White zinc oxide
tape
– Underwrap
– Skin toughner
spray
– Adhesive spray
– Lubricating
ointment
– Sterile/ non
sterile gauge
pads
– Elastic bandages
– Band aids
– Tape cutters/
scissors
Optional supplies
Adhesive remover
Tongue depressors
Cotton tipped applicators
Blister protectors
Triangular bandages
Waterproof tapes
Nail clippers/ scissors
– Antifungal spray/ powders
– Antibiotic ointment
– Surgical gloves
TAPING CONSIDERATIONS
Pre taping considerations
S welling
U ndue stress
P rotection
P ain
O ptimal healing and repair
R ehabilitation
T herapeutic care
 Post taping considerations
P remature participation
R ange of motion
E xpert opinion
C irculation
A llergies and skin irritations
U ndue dependency on tapes
T endons, muscles and bone
I ce
O nly top quality supplies
N erve conduction
General guidelines
Thorough knowledge of anatomy
Evaluation skills
Appropriate choice of taping
technique
Consideration of sports specific
needs
Preparation of the area to be taped
Effective application
Testing the completed tape job
Pre application check list
Is taping going to work for this
injury?
Is taping the correct procedure?
What materials are needed?
What is injured or at risk?
What is the athletes normal joint
range and flexibility
Meets movement demands on the
athlete?
Application check list
Skin considerations
Selection of correct tape
Taping application
Taping technique
Quality control
Post application check list
Monitoring the results
Functional testing
Tape removal
Signs of skin damage
Using adhesive tape in sports
Preparation of
taping
– Clean shaved dry
skin
– Underwrap
Proper taping
technique
– Tape selection
– Correct tape width
Tearing tape
Rules of tape
application
Removing adhesive
tape
Rules for tape application
Place part in the position in which its to be
stabilized
Overlap the tape at least half the width of
the tape below
Avoid continuous taping
Keep tape role in hand whenever possible
Smooth and mold the tape as it is laid
Allow tape to fit the natural contours of
the skin
Where maximum support is required tape
directly over the skin
Ideally done everyday
Remove at night
Avoid wetting the tape(autoremoval
and macerations)
KEY TAPING TECHNIQUES
Anchors
Stirrups
Vertical
Butterfly or check rein
Locks
Figure- 8
Compression
Closing up
Anchors
First tape strips
used for each tape
job
May be elastic or
inelastic
Forms a stable
base
Placed
circumferentially
Both above and
below the injury
Applied directly to
the skin
Must follow
anatomical
contours for good
adherence
Stirrups
U shaped loop of
inelastic tape
Directly supports
the injured
ligaments
Provides
medial/lateral
stability
Pulled tighter on
injured side
Vertical strips
Non elastic tape
strips applied
under tension from
one anchor to the
other
Limits lateral
mobility
Butterfly or check reins
Combination of
three or more
vertical strips at
angles of 10 to 45
degrees to each
other
Placed at the axis
of rotation
Elastic or inelastic
tapes used
Restrict movement
in more than a
simple uniplanar
direction
Can resist inherent
torsion stresses
Vertical strip, X
shaped with two
strips, re anchoring
Locks
Inelastic tape
firmly attached to
the underlying
anchors to
reinforce support

Yet allows
protected,
functional
movements
Strong tension
applied at key
points
Figure -8
Non elastic tape
forming a figure- 8
Added stability,
covers any
remaining open
areas and/ or tape
ends
Closes the tape
application neatly
Encircles one
segment of the
limb in one
direction, crosses
over to encircle the
adjacent segment
in the opposite
direction
Forming a figure- 8
Compression strips
Elastic adhesive
tape, localized
compression over a
muscle
Provides strong
compressive forces
Minimizes
subsequent
swelling
Minimal tension to
form a base

Pressure strips
Closing up
Tightly placed strips, either elastic or non
elastic tape, cover remaining open areas/
tape ends
Reduces the risk of skin blisters
Protects the tape job
Neat appearance
Applied circumferentially on the limb, one
third to one half width overlap
Starting proximal and moving down
distally
Advantages of taping
Specific to the part
Specific to the structure
Specific to the stage of healing
Specific to demand of sport
Custom made
Early return to training
Disadvantages
Cost
Skill
Compliance
Time consuming