INTRODUCTION TO

THE PRINCIPLES OF WRAPPING &

TAPING
 INTRODUCTION
• Wrapping and taping are tools utilized by
any individual dealing with athletic injuries.
• There are a variety of uses for both
wrapping and taping including prevention,
support and protection of injuries.
• Taping and wrapping are used for strains,
sprains, contusions as well as a variety of
other injuries and conditions.
 WRAPPING PRINCIPLES

• PRINCIPLES OF
WRAPPING
- Protection from a Painful
Range of Motion.
- Support for a Mild to
Moderate injury so the
athlete can return to play.
- If athlete is unable to play
– Part of the I.C.E.R.
Principle (Compression
and slight support).
 WRAPPING PRINCIPLES
MATERIALS USED
• Which materials are used depends on whether
the condition is Muscular (contractile) or Inert
(ligament).
• Musculotendinous injuries require tensors (2”,
4”, or 6”) for support.
• Tensors can be used for a variety of injuries
including Quadriceps and Hamstring Strains
as well as “Groin” Injuries.
• Cloth Wraps are used for wrist and ankle
injuries.
 WRAPPING PRINCIPLES
(APPLICATION)
• The following steps should always be
used when applying a support technique
using a tensor.
1. Assess the injury
– Type of Injury (Contractile? Inert?
Contusion?)
– Assess as any Muscle/Tendon Injury
– Degree of Injury – If mild – Consider Wrap
& Return to play
– If Moderate/Severe – Wrap as part of ICER
 TAPING PRINCIPLES
INTRODUCTION

• Taping is a skill which requires a great deal of

practice and experience.
• Historically, taping has been a skill of the Athletic
Therapist/Athletic Trainer but is effectively used
by anyone who deals with athletes.
• The primary uses for athletic taping and
wrapping are diverse
 TAPING PRINCIPLES
THE THREE MAIN GOALS OF ATHLETIC TAPING
INCLUDE;

- Prevention (Prophylactic)
- Protection (Rehabilitative)
- Support (Functional)

• Taping or bracing should never replace the

proper rehabilitation of an injured joint or muscle.
 TAPING PRINCIPLES
Contraindications/Precautions to Taping
• Injuries requiring support more aggressive
than taping.
• Taping over lacerations, blisters or abrasions.
• Allergic reaction to tape or adherent.
• When taping excessively restricts range of
motion of a joint and thereby predisposes the
athlete to further injury.
 TAPING PRINCIPLES
PRE TAPING
• PAST HISTORY OF TAPING (EFFECTIVENESS?)
• ALLERGIES – TAPE? SPRAY? BANDAIDS?
• QUICK STRUCTURAL TESTING AND ESTABLISH
ANATOMICAL BOUNDARIES.

POST TAPING
• CHECK FOR WRINKLES, WINDOWS
• CHECK FOR PERIPHERAL CIRCULATION
• TEST FOR FUNCTION X 2.
“ IS TAPING PRACTICAL FOR THIS
INJURY AND SITUATION, OR AM
I SETTING THEM UP FOR
FURTHER INJURY OR RE-
INJURY?”
 TAPING PRINCIPLES
TAPE SELECTION
• Choosing the right tape depends on the type of
injury as well as the size of the area being
taped.
• Tape comes in a assortment of types and sizes.
• There are many different elastic tapes on the
market which can be used for
musculotendonous injuries, as well as zinc
oxide tape which can be used for joint injuries
due to its non yielding properties.
 TAPING PRINCIPLES
• ELASTIC TAPES (Elastoplast) are used to encircle
muscle bulk and act as an anchor.
• You should always make the necessary allowances for
contraction and expansion prior to using this tape.
 TAPING PRINCIPLES
TAPE SELECTION
• Zinc oxide tape should be used for ligamentous (inert)
types of injuries which do not require ‘give.’
• Tearing the tape requires a surprisingly small amount of
force. Simply tear the tape with your fingers by pinching
the edge and ripping.
 TAPING PRINCIPLES
STEPS IN TAPING
• Once the pre-evaluation has been completed
and the tape has been selected, the following
steps should be followed.
• SKIN PREPARATION
- Wash, shave and dry the area to be taped
- Check for cuts, blisters or skin irritations and
protect these areas prior to taping.
• PROTECT FRICTION AREAS WITH
LUBRICANT AND GAUZE.
 TAPING PRINCIPLES
• SPRAY
– Use ‘Skin Prep’ or ‘Skin Toughener’
to help adhere the tape and protect the
skin. Be careful as some commercial
preparations can cause skin irritation.
Non-allergic options are available.
• UNDERWRAP
– Apply Pro-wrap, underwrap or J-wrap
(if not shaved) to protect the skin,
especially if the athlete is being taped
for a prolonged period of time.
 TAPING PRINCIPLES
• TAPE REMOVAL –’SHARKS’ OR SCISSORS
 TAPING PRINCIPLES
• RULES FOR TAPE APPLICATION

• If the part to be taped is a joint, place it in the position in

which it is to be stabilized.
• If the part is muscle or tendon, make the necessary
allowances for contraction and expansion (Warm up).
• Overlap the tape at least half the width of the tape below
or it will separate, exposing the underlying skin.
• Keep the tape roll in hand whenever possible. This will
ensure taping speed and accuracy.
• Avoid continuous taping (with a few exceptions – ie. The
heel lock and figure eight pattern with ankle taping).
Continuous taping will cause constriction.
 TAPING PRINCIPLES
RULES FOR TAPE APPLICATION

• Smooth and mould the tape to the body part as

it is laid on the skin. This is done by stroking the
tape with the fingers, palms or heels of the hand.
• Where maximum support is desired, tape
directly over the skin surface. Shaving is
required for this task to be accomplished
successfully. In the case of sensitive skin, other
mediums may be used (pre wrap) as tape bases.
• The athlete should not move during taping as this
will loosen the tape. Fresh tape needs time to
adhere.
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• Turf Toe – Turf toe is an injury involving a number of
structures (ligament, tendon) at the metatarsal
phallangeal joint MTP of the hallux (big toe).
• Turf toe may be a hyper extension or hyper flexion
injury.
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• Taping Rationale: The most common mechanism of injury
is
hyper-extension, hence the taping rationale is to limit the
painful range of motion.
• Tape Used: Full strips and one quarter strips.

Brace
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• TURF TOE

• Taping Points – Following the placement of the anchors,

three strips are placed close together, locked proximally, then
followed by a ribbon strip which is then locked at the distal end.
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• PLANTAR FASCIITIS
- Plantar fasciitis is a term commonly
used to describe pain at the proximal
end of the heel.
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• Taping Rationale: To support the plantar fascia and the
medial longtitudinal arch and to accentuate the fat pad.
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• Tape Used: Full strips and one quarter strips.
• Taping Points: All the strips in this tape job proceed from
lateral to medial in order to support the Medial Longtitudinal
arch.

• The final strips are full strips from the lateral anchor to the
medial anchor.
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
CLOSED GIBNEY TECHNIQUE
• RATIONALE: The Closed Gibney tape job is used
primarily for three reasons;
PROPHYLACTIC
REHABILITATIVE
SUPPORTIVE (FUNCTIONAL)
• It is primarily Supportive rather than Compressive.
• This technique can be used for both inversion and
eversion sprains and is composed of two parts;
Part 1 - Basketweave
Part 2 - Heel Locks and Figure Eights
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• TAPE USED: Full Strips
• PART 1: The basket weave is formed by alternating
horseshoes
and stirrups closing the ankle in preparation
for the
second and most important part of the
technique.
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• PART 2: The Heel Locks & Figure Eights
• RATIONALE: This is the most important part of any ankle
tape job. It is said that 80% of the effectiveness of ankle
taping is from this part of the technique because it locks the
subtalar joint (between the talus and the calcaneus). It is at
this joint where inversion and eversion take place.

• The most common mechanism of ankle sprains

is the INVERSION SPRAIN.
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• LATERAL ANKLE LIGAMENTS
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
HEEL LOCK & FIGURE EIGHTS
• There are many different variations. All essentially do the
same thing which is to lock the subtalar joint.

LOUISIANNA ILLINOIS
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• “SHIN SPLINTS” - Shin splints are a “Wastebasket”
term denoting pain in the lower third of the leg.
• The condition known as shin splints may include a
variety of conditions including; tendonitis, periostitis,
stress fracture of the tibia (or fibula), or compartment
syndrome.
• Shin splints involves pain in the Anterior-Lateral part of
the leg or the Posterior-Medial part of the lower leg.
POSTERIOR ANTERIOR

MEDIAL LATERAL
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• POSTERIOR-MEDIAL Shin splints usually involves the
TIBIALIS POSTERIOR MUCLE which is found in the
deep posterior compartment.
• This type of Shin splint is usually associated with a
Pronated foot
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• ANTERIOR-LATERAL Shin splints usually involves the
TIBIALIS ANTERIOR MUSCLE which is found in the
anterior compartment.
• This type of Shin splint is usually associated with a high
arched or Supinated foot.
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• RATIONALE: TIBIALIS POSTERIOR – The rationale for this
taping technique involves both a direct and an indirect
component. The direct component is for compression and to
approximate the tendon back onto the bone. The indirect
component is to give arch support to the pronated/arch foot
and indirectly take the stress off of the affected tendon.
• TAPE USED: Full strips of tape (Part 1), & one quarter strips.
• TAPING POINTS: The strips around the lower part of the leg
go from the lateral to the medial aspect of the leg (ie. Back
toward the midline of the leg.
• The second part of the tape job is the same arch support
technique as plantar fasciitis.
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• TIBIALIS POSTERIOR TENDINITIS (Direct)

• Indirect
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• RATIONALE: TIBIALIS ANTERIOR – The rationale for
this taping technique also involves a direct and indirect
component. The direct component is for compression
and to approximate the tendon back onto the bone, the
indirect component is to support the extensor
retinaculum and thereby take the pressure off of the
tibialis anterior muscle.
• TAPE USED: Full strips
• TAPING POINTS: The strips around the lower leg go in
the opposite direction of the tibialis posterior technique
(from medial to lateral), and the second strip(s) are
placed around the retinaculum (tear drop design).
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• TIBIALIS ANTERIOR
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• PATELLAR TENDONITIS – Is commonly referred to as
jumper’s or kicker’s knee is a common condition which
places extreme tension of the knee extensor muscle
complex, resulting in the repetitive injury of tendonitis.

• RATIONALE: The rationale for this taping technique is to

act as a counter-force strap to dissipate stress away from
the painful area on the lower third of the patellar tendon.
• TAPE USED: Full Strips of Tape.
• TAPING POINTS: The strips cross in the front of the knee
and the twisting of
the tape adds strength.
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• PATELLAR TENDINITIS
 QUADRICEPS/HAMSTRING
WRAPS
• The wrapping techniques for the upper thigh
(Quadriceps/Hamstring) muscles can be used
for a muscle strain or contusion.
• A Muscular strain is tested via:
– Extensibility
– Contractibility
– Palpation
– Circumference
• This will give the examiner an idea of the degree
of injury and the purpose for the wrap.
UPPER LEG WRAPPING
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
(Finger Injuries)
• Finger injuries are very
common in sports like
basketball and volleyball.
• An injured finger can be
taped against an adjacent
finger for support (buddy
system), or a functional
technique known as a
‘finger spica’ can be used.
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
FINGER/THUMB TAPING (SPICA TECHNIQUE)

• RATIONALE: The finger (and thumb) spica tape job is an

alternative to the “Buddy” tape job when the athlete needs
functional use of their hand. It will still allow for support but
will help limit painful range of motion.
• TAPE USED: One quarter strips.
• TAPING POINTS: Anchors should first be placed above
and below the knuckles of the involved fingers. The hand
is then placed in a functional position (ie. A position that
the athlete will use their hands in) and then transverse
strips are placed between the anchors. A final strips
‘pinches’ the strips together.
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• FINGER TAPING

Buddy Technique
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• Thumb/Finger Spica
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
WRIST TAPING (PREVENTION OF HYPEREXT/FLEX)

• Wrist injuries usually involve a hyper-flexion or hyper-

extension mechanism. This can damage a variety of
structures in and around the wrist area.
• RATIONALE: The rationale for this type of taping is to
prevent painful movement in either flexion or extension.
This technique is very similar to the turf toe tape job.
• TAPE USED: Full Strips
• TAPING POINTS: There should be equal distance
between the top and the bottom anchor with the mid
point being at the carpal region of the wrist.
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• WRIST TAPING
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• THUMB TAPING – Thumb injuries such as Gamekeeper’s
thumb are common amongst athletes, especially to skiers
and athletes involved in contact sports. The mechanism of
injury is usually a forceful abduction (and extension) of
the proximal phalanx.
• RATIONALE: The Rationale for this technique is to limit
painful range of motion.
• TAPE USED: Full strips (Anchors) and one quarter strips.
• TAPING POINTS: Once the anchor is in place on the
crease of the wrist, the smaller strips are started on the
dorsum of the hand and finished on the palmer part of the
anchor.
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• THUMB TAPING
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• ELBOW HYPER-EXTENSION injuries are very
common in contact sports such as wrestling and
football as well as non-contact sports such as
gymnastics.
• RATIONALE: The Rationale for this tape job in
to limit painful range at full extension or hyper-
extension.
• TAPE USED: Full Strips.
• TAPING POINTS: This is the same technique as
the wrist.
 TAPING TECHNIQUES
• ELBOW HYPER-EXTENSION