Therapeutic taping by a physiotherapist can be a powerful tool for reducing pain and/or repairing tissue/joint damage. Our physios at Strive Physiotherapy have a deep understanding of human anatomy and how to effectively apply therapeutic taping to assist in the treatment of pain and the underlying cause of the condition.
What is Therapeutic Taping?
Physiotherapists have many clinical tools at their disposal and therapeutic taping is one of them.
Amongst other things, tape can be used clinically to reduce strain on damaged tissues, provides mechanical support to facilitate correct movement patterns, and facilitate or inhibit muscle activity.
Appropriate taping techniques can assist the therapist to address the underlying cause of the patient’s conditions.
Taping techniques are rarely used in isolation; rather they are usually used in conjunction with appropriate exercises or other manual therapy techniques.
Why a Physiotherapist is the best choice for taping
Anatomy Knowledge
Excellent knowledge of anatomy of the area to be taped is imperative to the success of the technique and the safety of the patient.
All physiotherapists are trained at an undergraduate level in musculoskeletal anatomy which underpins the progression of learning that continues at a postgraduate level.
Anyone can apply tape to another person but without the knowledge needed to make this technique appropriate to the injury and the needs of the patient, you are merely placing a ‘band aid’ on someone that may not be helpful to their recovery.
Pain reduction
Pain is one of the most frequent reasons patients present to a physiotherapist for treatment.
Several studies have concluded that tape as an adjunct to treatment of musculoskeletal conditions does effectively reduce pain.
However, the mechanism, or mechanisms, as to how tape assist in pain reduction is not fully established. It is likely related to a reduction of the stress on injured or pain-provoking tissues by the mechanical or neuromuscular effects of tape.
If a physiotherapist can reduce pain with tape it provides an opportunity to more adequately direct treatment to removal of the underlying causes of the condition.
Tape + Physiotherapist = A powerful combination in treating musculoskeletal conditions
There is considerable evidence that tape is an effective adjunct to treatment in the management of a number of musculoskeletal conditions.
There are also a number of studies that question the validity of taping, or the underlying assumptions as to its effects.
In the hands of a qualified physiotherapist that has studied human anatomy extensively, therapeutic taping can be a powerful tool in reducing pain and/or it can help to return damage tissues/joints to normal function.
So, visit our physio here in Kirwan, Townsville to receive therapeutic taping that gets you on the road to recovery.
