1. Chapter 21
Taping and Wrapping

2. Uses of Tape for Prevention and Treatment of Athletic Injuries
Closing lacerations
Preventing blisters on areas of skin exposed to repeated friction
Holding bandages, pads, dressings and splinting devices into place
Securing splints for small fractures

3. Uses of Tape for Prevention and Treatment of Athletic Injuries
Supporting bony anatomy and relieving stress on supportive soft tissue
Restricting motion to support and eliminate stress on ligaments
Restriction of motion and compression
Support muscle, tendon or stress injuries

4. The Safe and Proper Use of Athletic Adhesive Tapes
Prophylactic strapping of ankle
Greatest single use of adhesive tape
Tape must be applied with ease, speed, and consistency
Tape must afford protection and stability to the part being strapped

5. Warning! If pain or soreness doesn’t decrease or go away
Further evaluation and diagnosis will be needed
Adequate circulation is crucial

6. Warning! If extremity changes color or starts to get cold
Taping or wrapping is probably too tight and must be redone to the athlete’s recommendations

7. Taping Guidelines Taping is best directly on shaved skin
Prevent irritated skin
Use underwrap and skin adherent prior to taping
Make sure the athlete is not allergic to the tape or skin adherent

8. Taping Guidelines Area to be taped should be clean and dry
Any oil on the skin should be removed
Cover all cuts and blisters with an adhesive bandage containing some type of skin lubricant

9. Taping Guidelines Skin lubricant and foam padding
Should be applied on any friction or pressure areas before applying underwrap

10. Problems for the Inexperienced Taper
When tape folds over
Difficult to tear at the fold
Use scissors or tear the tape at a fresh edge
Turning corners over irregular anatomy can be a challenge

11. Problems for the Inexperienced Taper
Keeping tape smooth and wrinkle-free can be difficult
Inexperience can lead to the tape being too loose or too tight

12. Removal of Adhesive Tape
Use bandage scissors or a special tape cutter
Lubricant on the blunt edge of the scissors or cutter
Allows it to slide under the edge of the tape
Move scissors along natural channels
Avoid bony prominences

13. Removal of Adhesive Tape
Careful observation while removing tape
Allows trainer to stop if there appears to be evidence of blistering or skin being pulled off with the tape

14. Most Common Areas for Taping
Trainer will stabilize these areas most often by strapping or taping
Require much practice
Basic ankle strapping
Combination elastic and non-elastic tape ankle strapping
Lower tibia taping

15. Most Common Areas for Taping
Turf toe strapping
Arch taping
Basic knee strapping
Achilles tendon taping
Elbow taping
Wrist strapping

16. Most Common Areas for Taping
Simple thumb taping
Basic ankle wrapping
Calf and knee wrapping
Calf wrap
Knee wrap
Wrapping the thigh, groin and back
Hamstring/quadriceps wrap

17. Most Common Areas for Taping
Wrapping of elbow, hand, and thumb
Finger taping
Restriction of thumb flexion, extension, and abduction
Applying moleskin