Taping & Strapping
Taping and Strapping techniques are used by Gold Standard's Chartered Physiotherapists not only to help to prevent injury, but to protect a sportsperson from re-injury whilst he/she is in the process of returning to action. Limiting the abnormal movement of an injured joint or structure whilst simultaneously promoting normal positioning, Taping and Strapping (and in particular Kinesio- Taping, which was originally popularised by David Beckham) also improves coordination.
To exemplify, if a taped ankle begins to turn/invert whilst jumping, the tape will restrict this abnormal/excessive movement. Crucially, it will also inform the body that it needs to contract the required muscles in order to prevent this undesired ankle movement. Without the feedback the tape provides, the sportsperson may be unaware the ankle has started to invert and land on it awkwardly, re-injuring it.
As well as providing support to the affected areas (which leads to pain reduction), it's also believed that taping inhibits muscle spasms. Taping and Strapping typically forms part of a patient's overall treatment plan, it being used in conjunction with a full and complete Rehabilitation programme (which would partly comprise of stretching, mobility and strengthening exercises).