We have all seen someone, whether it be an Olympic athlete on TV, or a fellow trainer in the gym, brightly decorated with various coloured tapes on different muscle groups. Naturally, you would think that “if the top athletes are using it, it must be legitimately backed by science and evidence for them to be using it..right?”.
So let’s ask the fundamental question: Is taping/strapping one big fad or is there some science behind its medical usage and benefits?
The theory is that taping muscles and ligaments can aid with a wide variety of musculoskeletal, sports injuries and inflammatory conditions. Claims have been made that taping can even increase blood flow, increase muscle strength, improve range of motion, decrease pain, decrease swelling, and more.
The general aim of taping is to turn a muscle “on” or “off’, restrict or aid the motion of injured joints, lift soft tissue to reduce swelling, support anatomical structures, serve as a splint, protect the injured joint from re-injury, and protect the injured part while it is in the healing process.
As Physiotherapy professionals who use and endorse taping, we have found that taping has the following benefits:
- Muscle and joint re-education (through increased proprioceptive input)
- Decreases pain.
- Limits over-extension and over-contraction of muscle tissue.
- Decreases muscle cramping.
- Assists in reducing swelling and inflammation.
- Improves range of motion.
- Helps decrease muscular fatigue.
At Physiotherapy Bedfordview we believe in using taping as part of an integrated and holistic treatment approach!
Book an appointment with your physiotherapist for all your taping requirements.
