Taping In Sport

With in this paper I will begin to discuss the effectiveness of taping and bracing techniques in sports rehabilitation. Going into detail on how these methods are utilised throughout the profession and analysing carefully how the different techniques and performed. Evaluating the methods efficiency at promoting recovery from an injury. Taping and bracing is varied throughout sport and in clinical practice REF, not all professions with use the same taping and bracing technique but will follow a very similar style the most common types of tapping being figure of six, eight, basketweave and stirrups. REF

As generations have developed a large variety of taping and bracing methods have been established and adopted across the clinical profession,
Commonly used during the management of an injury, It can be applied along muscles, ligaments and soft tissue injuries to provide support and relieve swelling, bruising and still allows full joint movement (Keli,A.(2012). An example of an injury where kinesio tape has been used is a gastrocnemius strain more commonly know as a calf strain. In this case the rehabber will take a small strip of the kinesio tape and apply one end distally to where the pain is located ensuring to allow for around ten percent of elasticity in the tape and apply over the area of pain.
(Katchanathu, J. (2013). Kinesio taping was found to be effective in reducing the amount of pain the athlete previously felt and increasing the amount of movement available at the area. (Keli,A.(2012). Although there is benefits to kinesio taping according to (Shriven,T. et al 2011) Improper application and over stretching of the tape can increase the amount of pain on the specific joint, muscle or tendon leaving the athlete very vunerable to more damaged and if not applied correctly it can increase the athletes recovery
(Marder A,R. Lian J,G.(2012). First the rehabber will begin with asking the client to sit on the edge of the bed with there foot in a relaxed position. Adhesive tape is used to apply anchor strips to the upper mid calf level down both the medial and lateral side of the leg. Secondly an anchor strip is applied over the anterior portion of the metatarsal creating a U-shaped type effect. (Marder A,R. Lian J,G.2012). Anchor strips are used to help with restricting medial and lateral movement and helping maintain the joint in a fixed position. (Katchanathu,J.2013). Vertical stirrups are then applied, starting from the distal end of the medial strip which then runs underneath the heel and attaching onto the end of the lateral anchor strip providing support and reinforcing the ankle and restricting the mobility of the joint. Black Belt(1974). Another strip is then applied starting from the head of the first metatarsal and wrapping around the heel and finishing along the lateral side of the fifth metatarsal. (Marder A,R. Lian J,G.(2012) Second vertical stirrup is then placed parallel to the first and covering around one half of the width of the tape. Another horizontal stirrup is used, Following a very similar suit to the first one. Finally, the rehabber will continue to apply vertical and horizontal stirrups which are alternated, it is very