Therapeutic Taping - Allied Health Education€¦ · Need to have a pair of non stick scissors ... Do NOT begin your taping technique with the anchor on the patella Taping for knee

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Therapeutic Taping

Dr. Heather Moore, DPT, CKTP

Total Performance Physical Therapy

www.totalperformancept.com

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information contained in this presentation.

Introduction to Kinesiology

Taping No one correct way to tape – there are a

number of different tapes and taping techniques depending on what anatomical part and/or movement is in question

Many different methods and types of tape available for use in the clinic

Lots of self help videos that allow for patients to do it themselves

Able to keep the benefits of treatment going long after leaving the clinic

http://www.totalperformancept.com/

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Introduction to Kinesiology

Taping Limited by lack of research

Insurance companies do not

reimburse for taping alone

Easy to teach patients how to do it

Will not harm the patient if it is

performed incorrectly

The Tape

Kinesiology tape has elastic properties

so the paper on the back of the tape

can be easily torn without tearing the

tape itself

Most manufacturers will tell you not to

rip the tape off your skin to remove it.

Try rolling it off.

When applying the tape try not to get

wrinkles in the tape

The Tape

Try when applying the tape to not touch the adhesive part of the tape. It will decrease the longevity of the tape

Try as you are setting the tape not to get wrinkles in the tap

Never pull the tape to 100% of its stretch

Try not to reset the tape. Once you have laid the tape down try not to pull it off the skin to reposition it

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The Tape

Once you activate the adhesive by

rubbing the tape you may not

reposition it. If you need to remove it

then you will need to cut another piece

of tape and start the technique over

again.

Different types of Taping

Techniques Prophylactic Athletic Taping

McConnell Taping

Kinesiology Taping

Kinesiology Taping

Provides support and stability without restricting the joint

Relieves pressure

Mimics the properties of skin

◦ Same thickness as skin and inherent elastic properties

Stretches to 120-140% of its original length

Assists in coordination and movement

Cotton and elastic

Facilitates joint motion

Corrects the alignment of weak muscles

Increases circulation by lifting the skin

Decreases edema

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McConnell Taping

Unload soft tissue

Decrease pain

Uses 2 pieces of tape, one that is therapeutic one that is not

Restricts motion

Patellar taping most widely used and studied

Limited wear time

Poor adhesive qualities when wet

Athletic Tape

Limiting of the movement

Off loading the stress on the ligament and joint

Utilizes prewrap under the tape

Widely sold at drug stores

Patients often confuse this for Kinesiology tape

Primary purpose is not rehabilitative

Acute injuries and injury prevention

Different types of tape

Kinesio Tex tape

Spyder tech tape

KT tape

Perform Tex Tape

Rock Tape

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Kinesio Tex Tape

Taping generally for specific muscles

and conditions

Lasts 2-3 days

Heat activated

Emphasis on evaluation of muscles

prior to application

Cotton and elastic

Tape has 10% stretch when on paper

Kinesio Tex Tape

Spyder Tech Tape

Precut tape patterns

Cotton and elastic

Numbered sections make it easy for

the patients and clinicians to apply

Difficult to cut and make more specific

to an individual or situation

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Spyder Tech Tape

KT Tape

Precut ‘I’ strips

Edges are pre rounded

Very little stretch

Hard to cut

Sold in running stores due to ease of

application and no cutting required

KT Tape

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Perform Tex Tape

Diamond shaped pattern

Encourages mechanical transduction

at the superficial and deep layers

Has better wicking properties

Increases skin breathability

Better for people who have skin

irritations

Perform Tex Tape

Rock Tape

Longer lasting – 5 days

Able to cut into any length

Heat activated

Tape for movement not muscles

Improves sports performance

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Rock Tape

Taping Reimbursement

Not reimbursed by insurance

companies

Strapping codes MAY be used but

often are denied

Can tape prior to treatment and do

neuromuscular reed

Benefits of Taping

Increase circulation

Decrease pain

Increase joint position

Provides support to joints and muscles

Continue treatment outside of the clinic

Improve athletic performance

Used on all populations

Easy to teach patients how to tape

themselves

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Benefits of taping

Can last for multiple days

Does not limit motion

Able to shower and maintain daily

activities

Reduce swelling and inflammation

Accelerate recovery and healing from

intense exercise

Delay fatigue and improve endurance

Benefits of Taping

Improve posture

Prevent overuse and over contraction

of working muscles

Can be used during the acute,

chronic, subacute and rehabilitative

phases

Can be used with other modalities

such as heat, ice, manual therapy,

electro stimulation

Benefits of Taping

Has both immediate and long term responses

Mimics the property of skin

Lifts the skin allowing for decreased pain

Targets different receptors within the somatosensory system

Alleviates pain

Latex free

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Benefits of Taping

Helps with the lymphatic and

circulatory drainage as areas of high

pressure move to areas of low

pressure

Affects the fascia by lifting the skin

Improve biomechanics of joint

Promotes normal muscle function

Applications of Tape Indications

Pain

Swelling/Edema

Decreased ROM

Decreased strength

Improve athletic performance

Poor posture

Many more……

Applications of Tape

Contraindications Open wound

Unhealed surgery scar

Active malignancy site

Skin infections

DVTs

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Application of tape

Need to have a pair of non stick scissors

Decide on the brand of tape you want to

use

Make sure to round the corners of the

tape after it is cut and ready for

application

Clean the area with an alcohol wipe

Women who use lotion will have

significantly less wear time with the tape

Application of Tape

Men with leg and body hair will want to

shave to increase adhesiveness and

wear time

Cut less than the actual length that

you will need as the tape will stretch

allowing for less to be more

After application rub the tape to

activate the adhesive and allow for

maximal wear time

Application of tape

Anchors – which are the ends of the tape depending on the pieces you cut

There is never any tension in the anchors

3 times of force used:◦ Minimal – very gentle stretch on the tape

◦ Moderate – About 50% of the stretch of the tape

◦ Maximal or heavy force – About 75% of the stretch of the tape

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Types of Cuts

The “I” strip

◦ One long strip of tape

◦ Most aggressive of the taping cuts

◦ Used on linear muscles and ligaments or

to control gross motor movement

◦ Examples: Taping the IT Band, controlling

thoracic rotation

The “I” strip

Types of Cuts

The “X” strip

◦ Used for larger muscle groups

◦ Cut an “I” strip and then cut a slit at both

ends forming an X

◦ Typically used for larger, longer muscles

and movements

◦ Examples: biceps femoris

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The “X” strip

Types of cuts

The “Y” strip

◦ Cut an “I” strip and then cut down the

middle about half way to ¾ of the way

down

◦ Often used to surround joints and muscles

◦ Example: The deltoid or controlling for

knee pain

The “Y” strip

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Taping cuts

The fan cut

◦ Used for improving circulation

◦ Used to decrease swelling

◦ The fan strips creates channels that allow

fluids to move

◦ Fluid moves from areas of higher

pressure to areas of lower pressure

The fan cut

Taping Techniques

Shoulder instability

Lateral epicondylitis – Tennis elbow

Knee pain

Knee swelling

Plantar fasciitis

Ankle sprain with swelling

Upper trap inhibition/postural control

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Taping for:

Shoulder Instability This technique can be used for

overhead athletes

Any type of shoulder pain

AC instability

Shoulder instability

Taping for:

Shoulder Instability Begin with the patient in sitting with

the arm in internal rotation

Cut 2 “I” strips

The first I strip attach medially to the

humeral head

Anchor with no tension

Apply moderate tension as you bring

the tape around the back of the

shoulder

Taping for:

Shoulder Instability Once you are at the lateral border of

the scapula stop the moderate tension and then apply the anchor with no tension

For the second “I” strip tear a piece in the middle. Then with moderate to heavy tension, place the tape down on the acromium

Lay the 2 anchors down with no tension

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Taping for:

Shoulder Instability The patient should be able to move

their arm freely and with less pain or

the same pain then prior to the tape

application

Taping for:

Shoulder Instability

Video for taping for shoulder instability

Taping for:

Lateral Epicondylitis Commonly known as tennis elbow

Can be worn while playing tennis

Excessive arm hair in men proves to

be difficult in keeping the tape

adhered

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Taping for:

Lateral Epicondylitis Begin by cutting 2 “Y” strips

Measure one from the wrist to the

elbow

Measure the other one from the lateral

epicondyle around to the medial

epicondyle

Have the patient in sitting and have

them in shoulder flexion, elbow

extension and wrist flexion

Taping for:

Lateral Epicondylitis Begin taping near the thumb just

superior to the wrist

Have the patient maintain the position

as splay the 2 tails of the “Y” out so

that they are on either side of the

epicondyle

Moderate tension is used

Then anchor with no tension

Taping for:

Lateral Epicondylitis Start the second smaller “Y” strip on

the outside of the elbow just above the

lateral epicondyle

Angle one tail below the crease in the

elbow with moderate force

Angle one tail above the crease in the

elbow with moderate tension

Anchor both tails with no tension

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Taping for:

Lateral Epicondylitis Make sure the patient has full range of

motion and no more pain then usual

after taping

Taping for:

Lateral Epicondylitis

Video for taping for lateral

epicondylitis

Taping for:

Knee pain and swelling

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Taping for knee swelling

Begin by positioning the patient

The patient should be relaxed with the

knee in extension. The knee should

be relaxed so if the patient is unable to

achieve full extension then put them in

a comfortable position

Make sure the area is clean and free

from unhealed scars or open wounds


Cut 2 fan cuts

The cuts should be big enough to

extend from the super patella to the

tibial tuberosity

Want to cut almost exact length

needed since the stretch on the tape

will be minimal

Start one fan cut superior and medial

to the patella.


Tear the tape and anchor the starting

piece superior and medial to the

patella but not on the patella

Then splay the fingers of the tape out

(approximately 4-5 depending on the

size of the knee) and with minimal

tension lay them down

Rub each of the finger-like extension

and the anchor to activate the heat

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Take the next piece of tape and start the anchor at the superior lateral patella.

Do NOT tape the anchor on the patella

Splay the fingers going across the patella so that the fingers end on the medial aspect of the knee

Lay each finger down with minimal tension

Rub each of the extensions down to activate the heat


Important things to remember when

taping for knee swelling:

◦ There is minimal tension in the fan and no

tension in the anchor. The patient should

be able to maintain full range of motion

◦ Rounding the edges of each finger like

projection will allow for the tape to stay on

longer

◦ Do NOT begin your taping technique with

the anchor on the patella


It is important to instruct the patient on

proper care of the tape i.e. if the

edges start to curl up you should not

take a scissors and start trimming

them

You may also cut a small piece of tape

to apply at the end of both fans so that

it lasts longer and does not get caught

on clothing.

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Who can benefit:

◦ Anyone with knee swelling

Total knee replacements if the scar has healed

After running if swelling is present

Chondromalacia patella

Ligament sprains

This is a safe and effective way to

begin draining fluid out of the knee


Video for knee swelling

Taping for knee pain

3 “I” strips, 2 long and one short

Moderate tension will be applied

through the tape so you can cut the

lengths a little shorter

For the longer pieces:

◦ One will begin inferior to the patella on the

medial aspect

◦ With moderate tension loop up and

around and end at the quad

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Once you reach the top of the quad

back of the tension and anchor with no

tension

For the second piece of tape begin on

the inferior lateral aspect of the quad.

Again, for either piece do not start on

the patella

Wrap the tape around the patella with

moderate force


Once you reach the other piece of

tape back off the tension and anchor

with no tension

The third piece of tape is going to go

below the patella and extend medial

and lateral of the knee

Tear the tape in the middle on either

side leaving the middle part exposed.


With heavy or close to maximal stretch

on the tape lay it down just below the

patella.

Then lay the 2 anchors down with no

tension

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Positioning the patient

◦ Have them sitting on a table with their leg

relaxed bent to about a 90 degree angle.

Their leg should be relaxed, the angle is

arbitrary

◦ Make sure the area is clean and free from

open wounds

◦ Make sure the patient is able to move with

less pain and the same or better range

after taping


Who would benefit:

◦ Any patient experiencing knee pain

◦ Ligaments sprains

◦ IT Band tendinitis

◦ Runners knee

◦ And many more….


Video for knee pain

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Taping for:

Plantar fasciitis Position the patient in supine with the

foot in dorsiflexion hanging off the end

of the table

Make sure the area is clean

Make sure the area is free from open

wound and sores

Taping for plantar fasciitis

Cut an “I” strip

Measure from about the middle to ¾ of the gastroc to the metatarsal heads on the bottom of the foot

This will be a unique I strip as 1 part of it will be cut into a fan and one will be used as an “I” strip

The part used as a fan will have minimal tension in it

The part used on the achilles tendon and up the back of the calf will have moderate force applied


The pivot point will be the calcaneous

or the heel

Cut 5 finger like projections into one

end of the tape

Tear right above the finger like

projections and anchor that with no

tension to the calcaneous

Then with moderate force place the

tape up the back of the calf

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Stop before the top of the calf

Apply the anchor with no tension

Take the fan piece extend the anchor onto the bottom of the calcaneous(heel) with no tension

With minimal tension place each one of the projections inline with the metatarsals

Rub each piece to activate the adhesive


Cut another “I” strip

This one is going to go on the

metatarsal arch and be applied with

medium to heavy tension so you can

cut this piece a little shorter since you

will be applying significant stretch to it

Have the patient remain on their

stomach

Have the patient relax the foot


Stating on the outside of the foot outside the 5th metatarsal


Provide medium to heavy tension as you come across the arch

As you come to the first metatarsal anchor with no tension

You may also apply a small strip with no tension to keep the projections in place

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Things to remember

◦ This is a good one to teach your patients

at home since it comes off quickly

◦ Make sure you patient has full range of

motion and less or the same pain that you

did prior to taping

◦ Make sure you do not but the tape on

100% stretch

Taping for:

Plantar fasciitis

Video for taping for plantar fasciitis

Taping for:

Ankle sprain with swelling This is a generic technique that can be

done with any ankle sprain medial or

lateral

Further taping classes will get into

more specific techniques when taping

for more specific ligaments

This technique will help with pain and

also reduce the swelling

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Taping for:

Ankle sprain with swelling Position the patient in sitting with the

ankle in neutral

The patient may also be in supine

Clean the area

Make sure there are not open wounds

in the area

Taping for:

Ankle sprain with swelling Measure for 2 fan strips going from

just above the medial and lateral

malleoli to the outside of the foot

Then cut the “I” strip so it is long

enough to go from one malleloli to the

other going underneath the foot

Begin by cutting the 2 fan strips

Start the anchor of one just above the

medial malleolus

Taping for:

Ankle sprain with swelling Apply the anchor with no tension

Bring the strips of the fan across the

foot and lay them down with minimal

tension

Try to anchor each fan strip with no

tension if possible

Begin the second fan strip just above

the lateral malleolus


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Taping for:

Ankle sprain with swelling Extend the fan projections across the

ankle with minimal tension


With the patient maintaining as close

to neutral as they can take the long “I”

strip rip the middle piece off

With moderate to heavy tension place

the tape on the bottom of the foot

Taping for:

Ankle sprain with swelling Applying moderate force place the

tape across the arch of the foot

Then cross over the dorsum of the

foot tape above the malleoli

Once you reach the malleoli release

the tension


Taping for:

Ankle sprain with swelling Take the other side of the tape and

with moderate to heavy tension come

across the dorsum of the foot and

above the malleoli

Once you reach the malleoli anchor

with no tension

At the end of the technique test the

range of motion and pain to make sure

the ROM remains and the pain is less

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Taping for:

Ankle Sprain with swelling

Video for taping for Ankle Sprain with

swelling

Taping for:

UT Inhibition/Postural Correction Use this taping technique on people

with:

◦ Neck pain

◦ Poor posture

◦ Headaches

◦ Sitting at a computer all day

◦ Shoulder pain

Taping for:

UT Inhibition/Postural Correction Position your patient in sitting

Cut 2 “Y” strips

The first “Y” strip starts just above the spine of the scapula

Place the anchor down with no tension

Have the patient side bend the head away from the tape

Place one strip of the Y on the anterior part of the UT

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Taping for:

UT Inhibition/Postural Correction The Y strip will go on the posterior part

of the upper trap

In each of the Y tails place moderate

tension and then have no tension in

anchor

For the second longer Y strip start in

the middle of the first Y strip and have

the patient bring the shoulder posterior

Taping for:

UT Inhibition/Postural Correction Have the strip follow the border of the

scapula down to the opposite inferior

border of the scapula

Apply medium to heavy pressure for

each of the tails and then no tension in

the anchor

Taping for:

UT Inhibition/Postural Correction

Video for taping for UT

Inhibition/Postural Correction

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Questions???

Documents

Therapeutic Taping - Allied Health Education€¦ · Need to have a pair of non stick scissors ... Do NOT begin your taping technique with the anchor on the patella Taping for knee