Taping and strapping
Our Physios are educated in strapping and taping techniques. Strapping and taping techniques can help prevent injury as well as protect an athlete from re-injury whilst returning to sport. It can also be used on patients to inhibit muscles spasms and promote normal positioning. The role of tape is to limit the movement in an injured joint or structure to prevent excess or abnormal movement. In addition it should provide support to the affected structures therefore reducing pain.
Another benefit of taping is thought to be the enhanced proprioception (or kinaesthetic feedback) that the tape provides during movement (or in other words it is thought to improve co-ordination). For example if a taped ankle starts to invert (turn over) during a jump then the tape will restrict this and inform the body that it needs to contract muscles to prevent this movement in the ankle. Without this feedback the athlete may be unaware the ankle has started to invert and land on it badly, injuring it again.
Tape is only used by a trained Physiotherapist in conjunction with a proper rehabilitation programme including stretching, mobility and strengthening exercises.
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