Tape bandage

definition

A tape bandage is an adhesive bandage that is stuck onto the skin from the outside and is intended to perform several tasks. Tape dressings are mainly used in the sports medicine and the Orthopedics for use. Its field of application includes therapy but above all also the prevention of Sports injuries the joints, bones and soft tissues.

General

A conventional, conventional tape dressing is a firm, inelastic adhesive strip that is stuck to the skin. The sticking must be done very tightly and by a professional sports therapist or under professional guidance. The inelastic bandages have the effect that individual movements of the joints are restricted depending on the direction of the adhesive. This can be beneficial in sports and gentle effect entail. Other muscle groups and joints are now more stressed and involved. A tensile force is transmitted through the skin to the taped-over joint, which supports movements.
In addition, the tape bandage works for compression, to Splint the joints and bones and for increased self-awareness of one's own movements.
To compression the tape dressing can be stuck tightly to the skin in an acute accident situation. It has such a compressive effect that no heavy bruises or swelling can form in the soft tissue.
To Splint the tape dressing is used in the therapy of bone fractures. Tight fixation from the outside allows the bone to be immobilized and splinted through the surrounding structures. For example, the tape bandage is often used for this in the metatarsus.

An essential effect of the tape bandage is that Improvement of one's own movement awareness, called "Proprioception". When muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints move, the tensile force is transferred to the skin. You notice the movements more strongly and pay more attention to them. Especially with fast, vigorous movements, the increased awareness slows down the movement and protects against injuries. This stabilizes the joints and ligament and muscle strains occur much less frequently. However, movement is slightly restricted by the tight tape. There are significant differences to plaster of paris or kinesiotape. Movement is completely prevented in the cast. The kinesio tape, on the other hand, has no influence on the movement.

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Kinesio tape

The kinesio tape represents one alternative to the conventional tape bandage. Kinesiology is an alternative medical concept that is mainly used in movement therapy. Nowadays it is also used in some fields of internal medicine, gynecology, lymphology, and neurology.
The essential one It differs from tape dressing in terms of its elasticity of the kinesio tape. Kinesio tapes should be attached by a qualified sports therapist or, after a long period of practice, alone under professional guidance. The effects that the kinesio tape is supposed to fulfill initially also include the stabilization of the glued-over joints, the regulation of muscle tension and activity with increased self-awareness. In addition, the compression and relief of the soft tissue in inflammation and blood circulation problems. In addition, there are various effects that are suspected according to experience reports. These include, among other things, the stimulation of the body's own pain reduction, the activation of self-healing powers and the effect on the body's fascia and meridians.

For the Skin and subcutaneous tissue the kinesio tapes are said to have a positive effect on blood circulation, lymphatic drainage, temperature and pain receptors and fluid circulation. It is even used in internal medicine because of its suspected effect on the internal abdominal organs, where it is supposed to act like a massage.

The effects of the elastic kinesio tape are controversial in contrast to the conventional tape dressing. So far, the effects have been based on experience reports. Large-scale studies have not yet been carried out and the effect has therefore not been scientifically proven.

Tape on the ankle

The ankle joint consists of an upper and a lower part. It is used in sports medicine frequent therapeutic areaas it is very prone to injury. It is a joint with a relatively large amount of freedom of movement and a heavy weight load from the entire body weight. It is supported by tendons and ligaments, but even a slight twist can lead to overstretching, tearing and injuries to the joint. Taping can be used here as a therapy supplement and for prevention when exercising. It should not be used as the sole therapy after injuries.
The effect of the tight tape is similar to the function of a plaster cast. Due to the firm application on the skin, the freedom of movement is slightly restricted, so that the joint is stabilized and splinted. The tape dressing is also used for acute injuries. Targeted external compression can reduce the bruise, hold back the swelling and maintain blood flow despite the injury.

Before applying the tape, the affected area should be dry and clean. It is also advisable to remove hair from the skin beforehand. The tape should then be affixed to the ankle at a 90 ° angle after the injury or shortly before exercise. Often two tapes, one on the inside and the other on the outside, are attached, running from the lower leg to the edge of the foot or the back of the foot. This means that the tape is tightly attached and the main direction of movement, the extension of the foot, is restricted and splinted.
Kinesiological tapes can also be used, especially as a preventive measure before exercise to increase physical self-awareness.

Tape on the calf

The calf is largely made up of muscles. The thin fibula lies deeper inside. The calf muscles are very strong, but they can easily be pulled during exercise and cause pain. The calf is often affected, especially in runners and sports like soccer.
The tape bandage or the kinesio tape supports the muscles Torn calf muscle fibers, Strained calves, Bruises and indurations. Depending on the location of the complaints, the tapes must be attached differently. The tape can either be stretched from the foot to the lower leg and support the ankle joints or stuck between the thigh and lower leg and bridge the knee.

Tape on the knee

The knee is a strong joint, which is stabilized by numerous muscles, ligaments, the menisci and two cruciate ligaments. Nevertheless, knee injuries are common in sports. Sports such as skiing and soccer are particularly stressful. Most of the injuries result from excessive rotation of the lower leg in relation to the upper leg. The tape bandage is used to support the actual therapy. Depending on which tape structure is affected or needs to be protected, certain taping techniques must be used. Especially in the knee, increased self-awareness of the movements is a useful prevention for rotational injuries.
Usually two tapes are attached that hold the knee on the inside and outside and support the collateral ligaments. To apply it tightly, it is glued on at a 90 ° angle. This stabilizes the stretching movement in the knee. As a third tape, a horizontal strip can be stuck underneath the kneecap.

Read more on this topic at: Taping the knee and Taping of a patellar tip syndrome

You might also be interested in this topic: Cruciate ligament overstretched

Tape on the thigh

There are strong muscles in the thigh, which are often challenged in endurance sports and ball sports. Kinesio tapes are ideal to prevent hardening, strains and strain. Conventional tapes restrict mobility, which is why they are used less often in sports. They can be glued to the front and back of the thigh. The method by which the bandages are applied depends on the symptoms.

Tape on the shoulder

The shoulder is a joint that is composed of three bones and is mostly splinted and stabilized by muscles. These muscles are called Rotator cuff designated. There are numerous types of shoulder taping methods, the use of which depends on the point and nature of the discomfort.
A standard tape can be used for many complaints. It is Y-shaped and the long side is attached to the outer upper arm. The two ends on the other side are taped above the shoulder in front and behind the delta muscle. This promotes its function and the lifting of the arm.

Also read: Taping a tennis elbow

Tape on the back

Many people are constantly plagued by back pain. Back pain can originate from the muscles or the spine itself. The kinesio tapes and conventional tape bandages can be used for acute and chronic complaints. The tapes are used for unknown causes as well as after accident-related complaints.

When properly applied, the tape warms the back, promotes blood flow to the muscles, increases awareness of the muscles in the back and supports them in their function. In the back in particular, an awareness of posture is of great importance for the development of pain. Frequent tensing of the muscles and sitting upright prevent a lot of pain. When attached tightly to the back, it builds up a pull on the back so that it splinters and supports the back extensor muscles.

The tape method that is used depends on the level of discomfort. In the lumbar spine, long strips in particular are glued towards the head on the spine. Read about this: Lower back pain
In the thoracic spine, strips can also be affixed parallel to the spine. In addition, with a horizontal stripe directly at the point of complaint. Read about this: Middle back pain
Y-shaped tapes are used on the cervical spine, which are stuck along the neck on both sides. Read about this: Back pain in the upper back

All tape bandages should be applied while standing so that sufficient tension is built up. It must be differentiated whether a rigid tape dressing or a kinesio tape is used. With a rigid bandage, forward bending is limited, but the splinting and support of the back is stronger.

Tape on the thumb

The thumb is also a potential place for a tape bandage or an elastic kinesio tape. The tape is a helpful alternative, especially for pain in the ligaments in the thumb and as a prevention in sports that are practiced with the hands. In the case of more severe complaints, the tape must not be the sole therapy and a doctor should also be consulted.

A tape bandage on the thumb is very easy to put on yourself. The tape must be stuck tightly over the thumb joints and continued to the forearm. Usually this will be two tapes that reach from the wrist to the middle phalanx and wrap around it. This is intended to strengthen the blood circulation and at the same time splint and stabilize the joint and the bone.
Also in Professional sport The elastic kinesio tape is used, for example, in throwing sports. The difference with the elastic tape is that no freedom of movement is restricted in the hand, which is advantageous for the preventive area in sports.