Variety of Tape Techniques Aid in
Different Ways
By Robert Gray, ATC
stopsportsinjuries.org
Kinesio Taping has been around for
more than 25 years, assisting the
sports medicine practitioner in the
areas of pain management, sports
performance, physical therapy, and
athletic training. This taping method
was designed to facilitate the body’s
natural healing processes while
allowing support and stability to the
muscles and joints without restricting
the body’s range of motion. The tape
was designed with a texture and
elasticity, close to the tissue of the
human body. There are 3 main taping
techniques recognized in North
America. These techniques are:
1. White Athletic Taping. This is
the most common technique. The
white tape is extremely rigid and
usually requires pre-wrap prior to
application. It is used for both
acute and preventative measures,
and if left on for an extended
period of time, may cause skin
irritation, due to moisture
entrapment and muscular
compression. The primary
advantage of this technique is to
limit the motion and help stabilize
an injured joint (e.g., ankle
sprain).
2. McConnell Taping. This
technique is a bracing or
supportive measure using a superrigid, cotton mesh highly adhesive
tape. It is most commonly used in
knee conditions, shoulder
dislocations, and back, foot, and
hip impingement syndromes. It
may be left on for an extended
period of time without causing skin
irritation (<18hrs.) This technique
may affect the biomechanics of the
patient.
3. Kinesio Taping. This technique
offers the patient or athlete
both the support and
rehabilitative properties of the
affected area. This technique
uses a specifically designed
tape that will allow the body’s
full range of motion. Because
there is no compression to the
skin and it is light to the touch,
this tape can
be worn over
a period of
three to five
days. The
tape may
increase
circulation in order to
rehabilitate and relieve pain to
the affected area. This
technique can be used for many
clinical conditions. Be sure to
speak with your athletic trainer
or sports medicine professional
to determine the best taping
technique for a given issue or
condition.