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This week I was lucky enough to go on a Sports Taping course for some CPD training. Following guidelines and precautions, 4 of us partnered together for two days and were taught/ updated some procedures for taping using conventional tape (EAB tape, Zinc-Oxide/ Non-Stretch tape and underwrap) and Kenisiology tape. This is just a quick overview of what we learnt.
[As was presented to us at the start of the first day]
History
The earliest forms of strapping were used by the Greeks using a mixture of cloth, resin, and olive oils. They discovered using these appropriately had a healing effect.
Strapping is now a very common method of treatment in the sports world. The methods currently used were initiated by coaches and trainers about 40 years ago and are now also used by sports doctors.
A recently healed injury is vulnerable, and the injury can easily recur if training is overenthusiastic or premature. The risk of this happening can be reduced by the correct application of some form of support, such as taping.
Definition
The principle behind strapping is that the tape should support the weakened part of the body, without limiting its function, by preventing movements which stress the weakened area. However, this ideal goal is difficult to achieve even when strapping is correctly applied.
Acute Injury
It is not advised to use tape on acute injuries as over-tight taping of an area in which swelling, and bleeding are occurring may cause serious impairment of circulation unless a physiotherapist/doctor is present.
If an acute injury is to be taped, a detailed medical examination should be carried out, including a careful stability test, and if there are any indications of a total rupture, taping should not be used. The taping of an acute injury may unfortunately lull the athlete into a false sense of security, encouraging him to resume his sport and making the injury much worse.
[And then we moved into K-Taping (Kinesiology Taping)]
This technique was developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase in Japan more than 25 years ago. In the 1970’s Dr. Kase began searching for a sports taping method which could assist in the healing of traumatised tissue and muscles. He found that standard taping techniques, such as athletic taping and strapping, provided muscle and joint support, however they reduced range of motion, did not support the fascia and, in some cases, inhibited the actual healing process of traumatised tissue. A new treatment approach was needed.
There are many claims that K tape reduces inflammation and swelling by microscopically lifting the skin, helping to increase the interstitial space, increasing the lymphatic drainage. During the inflammatory phase the nerve endings, lymphatic and blood vessels are in a state of compression. All this compression causes pain and discomfort.
We went through a whole range of techniques, learning how to support most joints and structures in the body, including; the ankle, the achilles, the knee, the plantar-aspect of the foot (underneath), the shoulder, the thumb, the index finger, the elbow, and the wrist.
K-tape was used to target specific areas of pain, trying to assist in the recovery of certain injuries, including; lower back pain, plantar faciitis, achilles tendinopathy, medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints), general knee pain, Osgood-schlatters disease, medial knee pain/ MCL, hamstring tightness, neck pain, shoulder pain, and oedema (bruising).
We came away knowing that “practise makes permanence”. Luckily for me, I work with two football teams, meaning there are a lot of opportunities to practise, which will only make my taping (and my client’s experience) better in the future.
If you want to know more about a specific injury, or would like my help in taping you in the future, contact me through email (dominic.sportstherapist@gmail.com). I can either implement taping into a rehabilitation session, or apply it in a short 15-30 minute session!
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