Sports taping is a technique using adhesive tape to support joints, muscles, and ligaments during physical activity. It can help reduce pain, limit harmful ranges of motion, improve proprioception, and enhance confidence in movement.
Rigid (zinc oxide) tape: Provides strong mechanical support and restriction of movement. Often used for acute ankle sprains, unstable joints, and when maximal immobilization is needed. Requires careful application and usually pre-wrap to protect skin.
Elastic therapeutic tape (kinesiology tape): Stretchable and designed to support without significantly restricting motion. Used to reduce pain, promote circulation and lymphatic drainage, improve proprioception, and assist muscle function. Popular examples include I-shaped, Y-shaped, and fan-style applications.
Common applications and principles
Ankle and Foot taping: For lateral ankle sprain prevention/support, platar facitis, facia tears, torn facia, tenodon and ligaments.
Thumb, hand and wrist taping: Provide stability for sprains or chronic instability and carpral tunnel syndrome.
Knee taping: Can address patellofemoral pain or provide mild and noderate medial/lateral support for ligament instability and pain relief.
Shoulder taping: To support rotator cuff muscles, reduce subacromial pain, reduce neck pain and assist posture.
Low back taping: Tape can be applied to support lumbar muscles, reduce pain, and cue posture. Rigid taping is used for heavier support in lifting, bending and picking up items.
Removal:
Removal: Remove slowly and carefully, ideally with the skin supported and tape pulled back over itself. Use adhesive remover for sensitive skin or if residue remains.
Sports taping is a technique using adhesive tape to support joints, muscles, and ligaments during physical activity. It can help reduce pain, limit harmful ranges of motion, improve proprioception, and enhance confidence in movement.
Rigid (zinc oxide) tape: Provides strong mechanical support and restriction of movement. Often used for acute ankle sprains, unstable joints, and when maximal immobilization is needed. Requires careful application and usually pre-wrap to protect skin.
Elastic therapeutic tape (kinesiology tape): Stretchable and designed to support without significantly restricting motion. Used to reduce pain, promote circulation and lymphatic drainage, improve proprioception, and assist muscle function. Popular examples include I-shaped, Y-shaped, and fan-style applications.
Common applications and principles
Ankle and Foot taping: For lateral ankle sprain prevention/support, platar facitis, facia tears, torn facia, tenodon and ligaments.
Thumb, hand and wrist taping: Provide stability for sprains or chronic instability and carpral tunnel syndrome.
Knee taping: Can address patellofemoral pain or provide mild and noderate medial/lateral support for ligament instability and pain relief.
Shoulder taping: To support rotator cuff muscles, reduce subacromial pain, reduce neck pain and assist posture.
Low back taping: Tape can be applied to support lumbar muscles, reduce pain, and cue posture. Rigid taping is used for heavier support in lifting, bending and picking up items.
Removal:
Removal: Remove slowly and carefully, ideally with the skin supported and tape pulled back over itself. Use adhesive remover for sensitive skin or if residue remains.