• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Promotivia

Ideas. Innovation. Excellence.

  • Home
  • Topics
    • Family
    • Furniture
    • Health
    • Education
    • Pet Care
    • Construction
    • Marketing
    • Technology
    • Transportation
  • Ask a Question
  • Contact Us

Should You Tape Like an Olympian?

Last updated on September 18, 2012 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

Called “the latest Olympic accessory,” millions of viewers became curious and enamored with the colorful Kinesio tape they saw spiraling and striping the bodies of their favorite Olympians. From volleyball players to track athletes and platform divers, this summer’s London venues were accessorized by this newly popularized tape. Taping in general is not new to athletes, though. It has traditionally served a variety of purposes, from immobilization to position changing and posture improvement.

Taping for Immobilization

This traditional purpose of athletic taping may be used to immobilize a sprained ankle or other traumatized joint. Athletic trainers nearly always have the commonly used firm, white tape handy and have been trained and experienced in adeptly applying it. The tape achieves a cast-like appearance after being wrapped repeatedly around the injured joint. Olympic venues in which such taping is often seen include gymnastics and soccer, where ankle sprains are common.

Taping for Protection

Similar to taping for immobilization, broken or sprained digits are often treated with what is sometimes referred to as “buddy taping.” With this taping method, the injured finger or toe is taped to an adjacent finger or toe for stabilization, in order to lessen the potential for re-injury.

Taping for Therapy

When a joint or bone requires a physical change of position, so-called “McConnell” taping can be included in physical therapy. Runners with displaced knee caps, or patellas, can be assisted by this invention of a physical therapist named McConnell. The tape is used to help the patella to track correctly in the underlying groove by pulling it slightly to the side.

Taping for Posture

Like putting a foul-tasting substance on a child’s fingers to deter nail-biting, taping of this sort can be used by physical therapists to remind those with poor posture to sit or stand correctly. For instance, when tape is placed between the shoulder blades, a patient who tends to slouch forward will be reminded to sit up straight. By encouraging correct posture, taping can promote the strengthening of postural muscles.

Taping for Support

Kinesio Taping Manual (available on Amazon)

Unlike other athletic tapes, Kinesio tape is elastic, allowing it to support and help contract the muscle tissue and the surrounding soft tissue, lessening strain on an overused muscle. The makers of Kinesio tape promote its use in order to reduce swelling to damaged muscles. It was originally developed in 1979 by Kenzo Kase, a Japanese chiropractor and acupuncturist who saw detrimental effects of traditional taping methods. Because he believed that standard athletic tape could extend injuries and inhibit the flow of inflammatory fluids, he developed a more flexible, circulation-stimulating product.

Some believe that the verdict is still out regarding the effectiveness of this new form of athletic taping but either way, it’s bound to increase in popularity by those athletes who want to at least look like an Olympic legend.

PhysioDC of Washington, D.C.

Daniel Baumstark and his professional team of physical therapists operate a boutique physical therapy office in downtown Washington, D.C. From athletes to government officials, and from ballerinas to corporate executives, PhysioDC helps people recover, strengthen and return to healthy living. Visit their website at www.PhysioDC.com or call them at 202-223-8500.

From the PhysioDC blog:

  • Sitting all day and experiencing lower back pain?
  • Suffering from trigger finger
  • Microfracture knee surgery rehabilitation

Filed Under: Health

Additional Articles

mother helping young daughter use kickboard in pool
Good News: These Three Problems Aren’t RWIs
sister and brother speeding across pool water
The Sun, Your Swimming Pool & Your Skin, Part 4
three teenage friends wearing bikinis
The Sun, Your Swimming Pool & Your Skin, Part 3
brother and sister with diving gear in pool
The Sun, Your Swimming Pool & Your Skin, Part 2
The Sun, Your Swimming Pool & Your Skin, Part 1
underwater goggle kids swimming happily
Pool Owner’s Guide to Recreational Water Illnesses, Part 4

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

9 + six =

Primary Sidebar

Jackrabbit Class Software

Popular Articles

  • Expandable Children's Furniture at The Bedroom Source
  • African Mahogany Lumber vs Genuine Mahogany Lumber
  • The City Way: Taking Your Child’s Bed to the Next Level with Maxtrix!
  • Perfect Furniture for a Boy's Bedroom, Pt 1
  • Perfect Furniture for a Boy's Bedroom, Pt 2
  • How Do You Treat Reactive Attachment Disorder?
  • Ultra-Budget-Friendly Swimming Pool Upgrades
  • Why Sleep Is Important for Young Athletes
  • Why Parents Love Jackrabbit Class Management Software
Swimming pools

Recent Articles

  • Good News: These Three Problems Aren’t RWIs
  • Nuts & Bolts of Priority Enrollment for Your Swim School
  • The Sun, Your Swimming Pool & Your Skin, Part 4
  • The Sun, Your Swimming Pool & Your Skin, Part 3
  • The Sun, Your Swimming Pool & Your Skin, Part 2
  • The Sun, Your Swimming Pool & Your Skin, Part 1
  • Teaching Your Child To Swim: The Four Basic Strokes, Part 4
  • Teaching Your Child To Swim: The Four Basic Strokes, Part 3
  • X10 XX62A Outdoor Wireless Camera Offers Accuracy & Convenience, Part 2
  • X10 XX62A Outdoor Wireless Camera Offers Accuracy & Convenience, Part 1
Home automation with X10

Recent Comments

  • Aika on Can Bedroom Furniture Help Your Child’s Mood & Academic Performance?
  • WAYNE Prokosch on It’s an Ipe Thing
  • Amanda Drew on The Wood Drying Process
  • Hannah on Quality Western Redcedar Lumber
  • Hannah on Is Ipe Decking Lumber Right for You?
  • Sheryl on Quality Western Redcedar Lumber

Copyright © 2021 Sozo Firm Inc · Privacy Policy · Disclaimer · Sitemap