The Great Tape Debate
Do I need it? What’s the difference and which one do I pick?
Taping is used both on and off the field. But for what purpose? Simply put tape is extremely versatile and can be used to protect, support, reduce swelling, offload tissue and to create awareness of unwanted muscle or joint movement.
So with this in mind, which one do you need?
Rigid tape - like the name implies is a firm tape with no stretch capabilities. It is used support or immobilise a chosen joint to prevent injury or re-injury. It does this by limiting or splinting a joints range of motion to a certain degree creating a block that becomes difficult to overcome. This in turn protects a joint from excessive motion during healing and reduces the chance of hyperextension injuries from occurring in certain activities, most commonly - the sporting fields. One downside to rigid tape is it can irritate the skin of some individuals, which is where our next tape comes in.
Hypoallergenic tape - this (commonly white) tape does not provide any structural benefit and it instead used as an underlay for other tapes to prevent skin irritation. This is possible due to different type of glue used that is less irritable for some skin types. Overall this tape is necessary for some but not necessary for all.
Compression tape - is a specialised type of tape that has some elasticity when pulled from the roll. It has the ability to be applied in varying compressions depending on how tightly the tape is adhered down, it is used to reduce swelling of a chosen area or to create a functional splint that limits end range movements. This tape can be stuck directly to the skin but some brands now offer tape that only sticks to itself, saving your skin the stress of tape being pulled off. Always remember to check your capillary refill to avoid circulation issues, ie, pinch your finger or toes and check the the area goes quickly from white to red.
Kinesiology tape - somewhat new to the market, you might recognise this tape in all its beautiful colours and patterns. Purpose built to have stretch available it has some cross-over to compression taping with the ability to manage swelling and rigid tape by providing minor support when used at full stretch, but what sets it apart is it ability to improve proprioception of a given area. Proprioception is basically a fancy term for knowing when a joint is in space without looking at it. For most this process is done unconsciously, but for individuals returning from injury or with poor muscle activation this tape can help by providing a kinetic stretch that is consciously perceived as a pulling of the skin. Pretty much a physical reminder or cue that you are slowly entering into a range that you shouldn’t, especially helpful in treating poor posture. The flexibility of this is from a treatment perspective is only limited by your imagination and skill at application.
If at any time you find your skin is itchy or irritated underneath any tape you use it is recommend you remove it immediately.
The Wrap Up (pun intended)
Keep in mind that taping should be used as a tool to overcome a problem. It should not become a long term crutch. Tape is a short term fix for a problem without providing a long term solution. Often taping is used in place of strength to enhance stability and overcome inefficiencies. This practice will ultimately lead to an increased likelihood of injury as we can’t always be wearing tape.
Ultimately the world of tape is far and wide and this a broad stroke over it all. At the end of the day each different kind of tape provides different uses and draw backs, and it will come down to what you want to use it for.
If you would like to discuss how you might benefit from specialised strengthening to reduce the requirement for tape call us now! Your treatment will include an individualised discussion regarding what tape will best suits your needs, how to apply it and what programming will help you overcome the need for strapping in the long run.
Written by:
Michael Ward - Physiotherapist