Benefits of Athletic Taping

Athletic tape is an adhesive tape commonly used by athletes and sportsmen to manage sports injuries and increase support to muscles, joints, and ligaments whilst partaking in a sporting activity.

The tape also protects the muscles, reducing the impact experienced by athletes when they are competing. However, it is not restricted to use on athletes and can be performed on anybody requiring support.

The tape attempts to restrict abnormal movement, giving the joint feedback regarding abnormal positions. Tape can also provide muscles with feedback in order to allow them to increase their firing and allow normal muscle firing around the joint.

Benefits

There are multiple benefits with using athletic tape. These include:

• Healing muscles and joints more quickly as opposed to leaving them untreated
• The tape stretches with the joints and muscles, providing freedom of movement in the correct position and restricting abnormal movement
• Prevents muscles and joints swelling
• Prevents injuries and scratches
• Provides a psychological benefit to the athlete as they do not have to be concerned about getting severely injured or damaging their muscles

Problems

Despite the benefits associated with taping, problems can arise if the taping is not performed correctly or by a trained professional:

• An incomplete assessment of the injury prior to taping
• Restricting circulation to the affected area
• Excessive layers of tape can impair circulation
• Used as a substitute for rehabilitation, leading to patients becoming reliant
• All taping should be carried out by a trained, registered professional

If you require athletic taping, please come along to the UCLan Physiotherapy Clinic. Run by professionally registered physiotherapists and sports therapists, our Clinic is recognised by all major private health companies.

To find out more about our services please click here or call us on 01772 894902.