Taping is a form of strapping. It is a procedure that uses tape

Adhesive tape

Adhesive tape is one of many varieties of backing materials coated with an adhesive. Several types of adhesives can be used.-Types:Pressure sensitive tape...

, attached to the skin

Skin

-Dermis:The dermis is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain. The dermis is tightly connected to the epidermis by a basement membrane. It also harbors many Mechanoreceptors that provide the sense of touch and heat...

, to physically keep in place muscles or bone

Bone

Bones are rigid organs that constitute part of the endoskeleton of vertebrates. They support, and protect the various organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells and store minerals. Bone tissue is a type of dense connective tissue...

s at a certain position. This reduces pain and aids recovery. Taping is usually used to help recover from overuse and other injuries.

Role of Taping

Taping has many roles such as to support the ligaments and capsules of unstable joints by limiting excessive or abnormal anatomical movement. Taping also enhances proprioceptive feedback from the limb or joint. Finally taping can support injuries at the muscle-tendon units by compressing and limiting movement and secure protective pads, dressings and splints

Upper limbs and chest (thorax)

• Shoulder
  • Shoulder
  • Shoulder including the arm

• Thorax
• Upper limb
  • Elbow
  • Wrist
  • Wrist only
  • Wrist including thumb
  • Fingers
    • Thumb
    • Finger

Inferior limbs

• Thigh
• Knee

In the case of Runner's Knee

The knee-cap is taped in place.

• Calf

For shin splints

Shin splints

Shin splints or medial tibial stress syndrome refers to pain along or just behind the shins with sports that apply extreme pressure to the legs, such as gymnastics...

.

• Achilles' heel
  • Preventive
  • Alleviating
• Ankle

Sprained ankle

Sprained ankle

A sprained ankle, also known as an ankle sprain, twisted ankle, rolled ankle, ankle injury or ankle ligament injury, is a common medical condition where one or more of the ligaments of the ankle is torn or partially torn.-Cause:...

 can cause considerable discomfort. 2% of sprain

Sprain

A sprain is an injury in a joint, caused by the ligament being stretched beyond its capacity. A muscular tear caused in the same manner is referred to as a strain. In cases where either ligament or muscle tissue is torn, immobilization and surgical repair may be necessary...

ed ankle involve broken bones. Often, ligament

Ligament

In anatomy, the term ligament is used to denote any of three types of structures. Most commonly, it refers to fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones and is also known as articular ligament, articular larua, fibrous ligament, or true ligament.Ligament can also refer to:* Peritoneal...

 injuries occur. See physiotherapist to get treatment for the ankle, including taping.

• Foot

In the case of heel pain (Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammatory process of the plantar fascia, the connective tissue on the sole of the foot.Longstanding cases of plantar fasciitis often demonstrate more degenerative changes than inflammatory changes, in which case they are termed plantar fasciosis. The suffix...

) or Heel spurs.

Where the bottom of the foot is taped in sections.

• Toes
  • Hallux valgus (bunion)

Alternatives

Wrap

Wrap

Wrap is something in which an object is encased, enclosed, or covered.Wrap may also refer to:-Storage and preservation:* Overwrap, a wrapping of items in a package or a wrapping over packages...

s and braces can be used instead or with taping to stabilize the affected area. Braces might alter muscular activity, where tape might not. Renowned Athletic Trainer, Mark "Digger" Wagners ATC, is infamous for his controversial refusal to tape ankles citing massive hematomas to the Peroneus brevis and Peroneus longus.

External links

• Figure-8 Ankle Taping
• Various Taping Techniques