Custom Physiotherapy Taping
What Is Physiotherapy Taping?
Taping is a technique used by many physiotherapists, commonly together with other treatments. It can be used to protect an existing injury, restrict mobility, and prevent new injury by supporting the joints and muscles that might require additional support during recovery. Different kinds of tape, with different levels of elasticity, are used depending on what the specific goal of taping is for you. If you are going to require more mobility and/or some very light support or postural cueing, a more flexible K-tape might be selected; when the focus is joint support and movement restriction, a rigid tape will be used to prevent mobility and support the joint. Whatever the goal, taping can be a great addition to treatment, as it provides ongoing support for extended periods of time outside the clinic.
Why Should I See A Physiotherapist For Physiotherapy Taping?
Taping is a great way to provide cues for posture, and to support joints through restricting mobility, but it’s not as simple as putting tape on the area. The position the tape is placed in, the level of tension applied to the tape at various angles, and the way in which it is applied are all important. With additional training in taping, physiotherapists are extremely knowledgeable in why taping is used, and how to correctly apply it based on the goals. Your physiotherapist will assess if and why taping would be a good option for you, and re-test on an ongoing basis to determine its effectiveness along the way.
How Often Should I Get Physiotherapy Taping?
This depends on your goals, injury history, and activity levels. For individuals who have goals related to posture, more frequent taping for a longer period of time (weeks to months) is recommended to focus on movement patterns and posture retraining. For Individuals who use taping as joint support during specific activities or sporting events, getting the tape applied close to that event is going to be more beneficial. Typically taping is complementary to other active treatments, so it is not a long-term solution, but can be a great option that many people benefit from on an ongoing basis in the short-term. If taping is being used for extended periods of time (beyond 3-4 months), and is becoming more of a long-term solution, a brace may be recommended as a cost-effective and accessible long-term solution for similar effects.
How Long Does the Tape Last?
Depending on the person, their level of activity, and other factors such as body hair and sweat levels, the tape can last anywhere between hours to multiple days in a row. It is a complementary treatment used in conjunction with other physiotherapy techniques, typically used strategically in the short-term when the primary goal is joint support. For example, some people like to come in for physiotherapy taping before a sporting event, or before going on a long hike, and will remove it following the event, when joint support and postural control are no longer as critical.
At First Line Physiotherapy, custom physiotherapy taping is a service used alongside other physiotherapy assessments and treatments. If you have any other questions about how custom physiotherapy taping could help you or would like assistance in deciding if physiotherapy would be right for you, please contact us, and a team member would be happy to assist you.