Taping Principles

Question 1

What are support techniques useful for?

Answer 1

1. Prevention.
2. Management, treatment, and disposition.
3. Rehabilitation.

Question 2

What are the objectives of taping?

Answer 2

• Provide support and reduces range of motion in preventing injuries and in treating and rehabilitating existing injuries.
• Secure elastic wraps when preventing, treating and rehabilitating injuries.
• Secure pads in preventing and treating injuries.
• Secure dressings in treating wounds.

Question 3

What are the different types of tape?

Answer 3

1. Non-elastic.
2. Elastic.
3. Cast.
4. Cohesive tape.

Question 4

What is non-elastic tape?

Answer 4

• Example: zinc-oxide/cloth tape.
• Woven cotton blend.
• Minimal stretch.
• Adhesive backing.

Question 5

What is cohesive tape?

Answer 5

• Example: power flex.
• Reports less than 0.5% stretch.
• Sweat/water resistant.

Question 6

What is light-duty elastic tape?

Answer 6

• Example: power fast
• Twisted cotton.
• Adhesive backing.

Question 7

What is heavy-duty elastic tape?

Answer 7

• Example: elastikon
• Higher tensile strength.
• Less elasticity.
• Often requires scissors to cut.

Question 8

What is K-tape/Kinesio tape?

Answer 8

• Elastic cotton tape.
• Acrylic adhesive that is heat activated.
• Therapeutic uses include musculoskeletal and lymphatic theories.

Question 9

What determines the quality of tape?

Answer 9

• Thread count/tensile strength.
• Amount of adhesive backing.
• Roll tension.

Question 10

What is the order of operations for taping?

Answer 10

1. Assessment.
2. Decide on appropriate technique.
3. Select appropriate supplies.
4. Give clear instructions. (limb position)
5. Prepare skin.
6. Application.
7. Check for adequate circulation.
8. Test tape manually and functionally.
9. Home instruction.

Question 11

What is a HOPE assessment?

Answer 11

• History (general questions, pain, swelling, functional level).
• Observation (body alignment, body symmetry, skin condition, swelling).
• Palpation (muscle/tendon, ligament, bone, pulse/cap refill).
• Evaluation (range of motion, functional movements).

Question 12

How do you prepare the skin prior to taping?

Answer 12

• Should be clean shaven.
• Free of oily or greasy substances that interfere with adhesion.
• Apply skin tuffner.
• Protect tendinous areas with appropriate padding and/or lubricant.

Question 13

What is the proper application of a support tape?

Answer 13

• Limb placed in a stably and comfortable position.
• Follow natural anatomical boundaries.
• Allow for contraction of any musculature.
• Tape tension and appropriate angles.
• Overlap tape by 1/2 its width.
• Allow type to fit natural contours.

Question 14

What are some home instructions that should be give?

Answer 14

• Circulation compromise.
• Hot spots/signs of allergy
• Removal (when, why, how)
• PIER, RICE, PRICE.

Question 15

What are some common flaws of tape application?

Answer 15

• Wrinkles/rolling of tape.
• Difficulty tearing tape.
• Tape applied too tight/loose.
• Windows in tape.
• Failure to apply proper anchors.

Question 16

What are the objectives of wrapping?

Answer 16

• Apply compression to help control effusion/edema.
• Provide support and reduce range of motion.
• Secure pads when preventing and treating injuries.
• Secure dressings when treating wounds.

Question 17

What are the application rules of wrapping?

Answer 17

• Choose appropriate width.
• Easier to apply if rolled.
• Begin distally and progress proximally.
• Use firm and constant tension.
• Check circulation.
• Do not allow the person to sleep with the tensor on.

Question 18

What are the different types of padding?

Answer 18

• Soft-low density.

- Hard-high density.