Taping is one of the most common treatment options. Using tape is non-invasive, cheap, effective and easy form of therapy. Knowing the benefits of taping and its application is very useful. It can help you in case of emergencies, and is also useful when you need a quick but effective way to cure your injuries.
In this article, you will learn more about taping and its applications, with a focus on ankle taping.
Types of Tape
There are different types of tapes you can use on the skin; however, two of them are the most commonly used for ankle taping.
Athletic Tape
One of the most common ankle injuries is an ankle sprain. An ankle sprain may be caused by overuse of ligaments or a recent injury. No matter the case, it is often accompanied by varying levels of pain, depending on the sprain grade and inflammation.
When this happens, it is best to stabilize the ankle to prevent further damage and speed up healing. This is where athletic tape comes in. Athletic tapes are pressure-sensitive tapes that can apply compression and offer stability for a body part. In addition to providing support, they can also help relieve pain. Moving an ankle with a sprained ligament can be excruciating; athletic tape can be a good tool to lessen the pain.
Athletic tapes are ideally inelastic because they need to provide stability. Elastic tapes cannot provide the necessary amount of compression to support a joint. It is often speculated that elastic athletic tapes reduce constraint and allow for better mobility, although that is not their main function.
While some companies still produce the elastic athletic tape, companies like Hampton Adams focus on making quality inelastic athletic tapes. What are the defining characteristics of Hampton Adams 3-pack of black athletic tape?
The Hampton Adams black athletic tape is made with the best materials. The cotton used is one hundred percent substrate, contributing to the tapes’ comfortability. This ensures that even though the tape is firm and effective, it is still comfortable to apply. It is not itchy and does not cause any reactions.
These features can also be attributed to the other materials used in the production process. Every other component of the tape is hypoallergenic and medical-grade. It also does not contain latex or any other form of the substance. All of these components reduce the risk of infections.
Furthermore, the adhesive on the tape is made with a special formula. Most tapes are bound to leave sticky residue on your skin or even damage your skin. With Hampton Adams tape, you do not have to worry about these issues. The tape is easy to apply and remove. It does not damage or tear off your skin, nor does it leave behind sticky residues.
Kinesiology Sports Tape
Certain conditions that affect the ankle can make movement difficult and inflict pain. In these kinds of situations, you need a tool that will help you increase your mobility and make movement easier, while reducing your pain at the same time. Kinesiology sports tape is the answer to this problem.
Kinesiology tapes are flexible and elastic, quite the opposite of athletic tapes. Much like athletic tapes, they also work to reduce pain. However, they do this from a very different mechanism.
Kinesiology tapes follow the skin’s texture, meaning they often mold perfectly to the body. This closeness to the skin makes it possible for them to lift the skin a little. This causes a change in the signals received by the receptor. Rather than receiving and sending pain signals to the brain, Kinesio tape changes the signals completely. This is how kinesiology tape reduces pain.
Through the same lifting process, Kinesiology tape also reduces inflammation. Kinesio tape creates a wider path for bodily fluids to pass through to their respective destinations by creating a small subcutaneous space. This successfully reduces swelling and inflammation.
Because of their elasticity, Kinesiology tapes are best when you want to make movement easier. Alongside pain relief, the tape also increases your range of motion. This way, injuries and conditions that restrict your movement can be successfully managed.
Just like athletic tape, Hampton Adams kinesiology tape is also made from a pure cotton substrate. Even though it is elastic, it does not contain latex. The other materials used are also hypoallergenic and medical-grade. Every roll in the 16ft kinesiology tape is up to medical standards.
The glue used for the Hampton Adams Kinesio tape is strong and sticky, but does not irritate or damage the skin. The glue on some tapes is strong and harsh, which is usually dangerous for people with fragile skin.
7 Handy Tips for Ankle Taping
Here are some do’s and don’ts when taping the ankle.
- Get the ankle in the proper position before taping. Curl your toes upwards and hold this position throughout the application process. This makes it easier to move your ankle after taping. It also keeps you more comfortable.
- Apply pre-wrap, also called a base layer. This is to serve as a barrier between your skin and the tape. This may be necessary for some tapes, especially if it’s a tape with harsh textures or low-quality adhesive.
- Tape your ankle firmly but not too tightly. Applying tape too tightly can cut off blood circulation, adversely affecting your healing process. Also, if you are using Kinesio tape, you will need to apply it lightly to allow easy movement.
- Apply tape on skin only; never apply tape on an open wound. This is unhygienic and uncomfortable. It can also cause skin damage and other infections.
- Refrain from applying tape on your skin if you just had a lymph node removed; this can be quite dangerous. As you know, kinesiology tape lifts the skin for ease of lymph passage. If the lymph flows in a direction with no lymph node, there can be complications.
- Look for tapes that do not contain allergens. Specifically, for people with allergies and fragile skin, it is important to avoid tapes with known allergens. In the worst case, just avoid taping altogether.
- Avoid taping if you have diabetes. Diabetes can reduce sensation in some parts of your body. Hence, any complications caused by taping may go unnoticed until it is too late. Diabetic patients should try to avoid taping themselves, or at the very least, only get taped by medical professionals.
- Avoid taping if you have DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis). Deep Vein Thrombosis involves clots in the veins. Since taping improves fluid passage, this can create the negative effect where the improved fluid flow carries the clots to other parts of the body.
Choosing the Right Tape
Choosing the right tape for you can be overwhelming. The guide above describes some of the benefits of the two main types of tape: athletic and kinesio tape. Once you know which tape will be best for your particular injury, it is important to choose the right company.
At Hampton Adams, your well-being and comfort are our priorities. This is why we produce only the best tapes for your ankles and other body parts. Choosing from our tapes can ensure that your body and body parts get the rest and support they need. Visit us at Hampton Adams to order your next tape today!