1. Chapter 10: Wrapping and Taping Techniques

2. Routinely used various reasons
Provide compression to minimize swelling
Injury prevention
Provide additional stability to an injured structure
Application requires skill
While wrapping and taping skills are not difficult, trained individuals with advanced experience should perform taping/bandaging
There are slight nuances to taping and variations to numerous taping techniques
Techniques may work better for one athlete vs. another – adjustments can be made

3. Tape application can be time consuming
Taping supplies are often expensive and may not fit institution’s budget
Tape application can be time consuming
Tape vs. Bracing – effectiveness in providing support and preventing injury
Should never be used as a substitute for rehabilitation
Must work to correct deficiency/weakness and use tape/brace as an adjunct

4. Elastic Wraps Applied for a variety of purposes
Compression of acute injuries – limit swelling
Secure dressing or ice pack
Provide support to injured soft tissue structure
Gauze, cotton cloth, elastic wrapping
Length and width vary and are used according to body part and size
Sizes ranges 2, 3, 4, 6 inch width and 6 or 10 yard lengths

5. Elastic Wrap Application
Hold wrap in preferred hand with loose end extending from bottom of roll
Back surface of loose end should lay on skin surface
Pressure and tension should be standardized
Anchor is created by overlapping wrap
Start anchor at smallest circumference of limb

6. Body part should be wrapped in position of maximum contraction
More turns with moderate tension vs. fewer turns with maximum tension
Each turn should overlap by half to prevent separation
Begin distally and move proximally
Circulation should be monitored when limbs are wrapped

7. Elastic wraps can be used to provide support for a variety scenarios:
Ankle and foot spica
Lower leg spiral bandage (spica)
Groin support
Shoulder spica
Elbow figure-eight
Hand and wrist figure-eight

8. Ankle/Foot Spica

9. Lower Leg Spiral Wrap

10. Hip Spica & Groin Wrap

11. Shoulder Spica

12. Elbow Figure ‘8’

13. Hand/Fingers Figure ‘8’

14. Non-elastic White Adhesive Tape
Great adaptability due to:
Uniform adhesive mass
Adhering qualities
Lightness
Relative strength
Help to hold dressings and provide stability and protection to injured areas
Comes in varied sizes (1”, 1 1/2” , 2”)

15. Tape Grade Adhesive Properties
Graded according to longitudinal and vertical fibers per inch
More costly (heavier) contains 85 horizontal and 65 vertical fibers
Adhesive Properties
Should adhere regularly and maintain adhesion with perspiration
Contain few skin irritants
Be easily removable without leaving adhesive residue and removing superficial skin

16. Winding Tension Critically important
If applied for protection tension must be even

17. Elastic Adhesive Tape Storing Adhesive Tape
Used in combination with non-elastic tape
Good for small, angular parts due to elasticity.
Comes in a variety of widths (1”, 2”, 3”, 4”)
Allows for expansion of body parts
Muscle during contraction, foot during WB
Storing Adhesive Tape
Store in a cool place
Stack so that the tape rests on its flat top or bottom to avoid distortion of the roll

18. Preparation for Taping
Skin surface should be clean of oil, perspiration and dirt
Hair should be removed to prevent skin irritation with tape removal
Tape adherent is optional
Foam and skin lubricant should be used to minimize blisters

20. Tape directly to skin for maximum support
Prewrap (roll of thin foam) can be used to protect skin in cases where tape is used daily
Prewrap should only be applied one layer thick when taping and should be anchored proximally and distally

21. Proper taping technique
Tape width used dependent on area
Acute angles = narrower tape
Tearing tape
Various techniques can be used but should always allow athletic trainer to hold on to roll of tape
Do not bend, twist or wrinkle tape
Tearing should result in straight edge with no loose strands
Some tapes may require cutting agents

23. Rules for Tape Application
Tape in the position in which joint must be stabilized
Overlap the tape by half
Avoid continuous taping
Keep tape roll in hand whenever possible
Smooth and mold tape as it is laid down on skin
Allow tape to follow contours of the skin

24. Rules for Tape Application (cont.)
Start taping with an anchor piece and finish by applying a locking strip
Where maximum support is desired, tape directly to the skin
Do not apply tape if skin is hot or cold from treatments

25. Removing Adhesive Tape
Manual Removal
Always pull tape in direct line with body
One hand pulls tape while other hand presses skin in opposite direction
Use of scissors and cutters
Be sure not to aggravate injured area with cutting device

26. Using “Tape Remover” Waterproof tape
Alcohol-based liquid useful for removing adherent
Works best when scrubbing with towel or cloth
Wash tape remover off with soap and water
Waterproof tape
Swimmer, diver, or water polo player might require application of adhesive tape
If waterproof tape is not available, duct tape can be used as an effective substitute

27. Common Taping Techniques

28. Arch Taping

29. Great Toe Taping

30. Toes

31. Closed Basket Weave Ankle Taping
Used for newly sprained ankles
Also utilized for chronically weak ankles

32. Achilles Tendon (prevent Achilles over-stretching)

33. Knee Taping - Should never be used as replacement to rehabilitation

34. Elbow (Prevents elbow hyperextension)

35. Wrist (Protects and stabilizes badly injured wrist)

36. Thumb (Provide support to musculature and joint)