To Tape or not to Tape?
Are you unsure when you should and shouldn’t be using tape? If so then you are not alone. So here at Firstaid4sport we have put together this helpful guide to aid you in deciding when to tape and when is best to avoid taping. You may already be aware of the benefits associated with using sports taping techniques on injuries. Tape can offer a great level of support and protection whilst remaining great value for money, making it a popular choice for many people. However, in order to gain these benefits from taping, you must first have knowledge of the injury that you are dealing with, before applying any tape. A medical professional should first assess the injury, this can be done by comparing the range of movement of the injured limb with that of the uninjured limb. During this assessment, any skin conditions or allergies should also be considered. If the injured person is effected by any such condition then taping may not be advised. 
We would only recommend using good quality tape, applied by a qualified and experienced person. Poor quality tape can cause a number of problems including blisters, tape cuts and biomechanical issues. This would make taping an unpleasant experience and as such we recommend seeking the advice of a professional. One top tip that we recommend is for best results remove any hair from the area before applying tape. Hair free skin will provide a better surface for the tape to adhere to, it will also make removing the tape a much less painful experience. If hair removal is a no go, but the idea of waxing strips when removing the tape doesn’t appeal wither then an under-wrap can be used prior to the application of tape. This will make for a much less painful removal. When and why should I tape?
- Tape as an effective way to hold dressings in place, over injuries such as cuts, burns and blisters.
- When needing to immobilise joints, preventing unwanted or painful movements.
- When needing to compensate for weak muscles or lax ligaments within joints.
- To protect against impact or irritation.
- Providing psychological support and improving confidence by increasing proprioception.
- Increasing kinaesthetic feedback and sensitivity of joints helping to decrease the chance of injury re-occurrence.
- Only apply tape once the injury has been assessed by a professional.
When not to tape?
- When you do not have a good understanding of the injury and what you are aiming to achieve through taping.
- When you are inexperienced or not working on the advice of a professional.
- When the skin is cracked or broken.
- If you are allergic to any of the components found within tape