Strapping
Strapping is used as an adjunct to other treatments and is rarely used alone. There are various types of strapping which are used for different reasons.
Compression
Compression in the form of various kinds of elastic bandages is after acute injury to reduce swelling and pain. It can also improve proprioception.
Rigid strapping
Rigid strapping is used to:
- restrict joint range of motion to stabilise or support an injury, e.g. an ankle sprain
- prevent injury or re-injury during sport
- change load and biomechanics
Kinesiotape
Kinesiotape is a type of elastic strapping that has become increasingly popular since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It was developed by Japanaese Chiropractor Dr. Kenzo Kase in the 1970’s with the intention to alleviate pain and improve the healing in soft tissues.
It is used to:
- reduce strain on injured or vulnerable tissues
- improve biomechanics
- facilitate muscle action
- improve proprioception
- improve confidence
- facilitate lymphatic drainage
Dynamic Tape
Dynamic Tape is a new type of tape which has 4-way stretch and different grades of stretch, strength, and recoil. Dynamic Tape can create several kilograms of force acting as an external muscle to help take load, assist where weak or injured or to correct movement and function.
Dynamic tape is designed to work mechanically, designed to alter movement patterns while absorbing load and re-injecting that energy back into movement, all without limiting range of motion. It can help to reduce load on injured or overworked structures.