The athletic tape primarily works by restricting the movement of the injured joints and compresses tissues and muscles to decrease the inflammation. It has a huge benefit of injury prevention besides injury treatment. The athletic tape is used on the shoulders, arms, knees, ankles, wrists, back and many more.
Advantages of Athletic Tape:
Injury Prevention:
Athletic taping is well known for the prevention of the injuries during sport activities or general over working because the injuries result from the overuse of the muscles and bones. When the muscles or the bones experience extra stress or pressure, they get injured. The use of athletic tape helps in the prevention of such injuries and act as a safeguard.
Injury Management:
The athletic tape is used to manage the injuries like shin splints, twists; patella-femoral etc. in such injuries, athletic tape is proved to be very helpful in the treatment of such injuries. It reduces pain and swelling.
Disadvantages of Athletic Tape:
Although the tape is very beneficial and helpful in the treatment of injuries. But there are many disadvantages associated with the use of athletic tape. The major disadvantage is faced when a person applied the tape incorrectly. An incorrect taping may result in further injuries. Secondly the tape is not very durable. After some use it loses its firmness. And prolonged use of athletic tape results in dependence. And if one uses it frequently, it becomes very expensive.
Method of Application:
The athletic tape is very easy to apply but there are certain methods that must be used while applying the athletic tape. It is advisable that you ask the health professionals or therapists to apply the tape to you because you may apply it incorrectly which could be dangerous. Before applying one must follow the certain rules:
• First of all, prepare the skin for the application of the tape. Remove any hair if present. The skin should be clean and dry. Remove any lotion or cream if present.
• Before application, maintain a proper position of the body part where the tape has to be applied.
• The person should be comfortable before applying the tape in order to prolong the taping time.
• The width and type and of the athletic tape must be according to the area being taped. Areas that are under high friction should be associated with protecting padding or under-wrap.
Removal of the Tape:
The most important thing is the removal of the tape. The tape must be removed with special care and protection. You should take the help of tape cutters or scissors that are specially designed for this purpose. After removal one must make sure the skin does not have any tape residue.
article source: http://www.streetarticles.com/pain-management/introduction-to-athletic-tape