Taping Techniques Taping to Prevent Injury – There a range of taping techniques that qualified health professionals use to help with both the treatment and prevention of sports injuries. It’s important to know about the different uses of taping and strapping before you attempt it yourself.

Two basic rules of taping are:

1. When you need to restrict joint movement, use a rigid strapping tape.
2. When you need to compress and support joints or muscles, use an elastic adhesive bandage.

Elastoplast provides a wide range of sports tape and bandages to assist with injury management and prevention, including but not limited to:

• Elastoplast Sport Rigid Strapping Tape
  38mm or 50mm is commonly used for preventative ankle taping.
• Elastoplast Sport Rigid Strapping Tape
  25mm or 12.5mm is more suited for help treating injured ankles, elbows and fingers
• Rigid Strapping Tape 50mm is commonly used for either assisting with restricting joint movement or compressing and supporting the shoulders, knees and feet
• Elastoplast Sport Elastic Adhesive Bandage
  75mm is used for strong compression when returning to sport after injury and is used over the rigid tape
• Elastoplast Sport Elastic Adhesive Bandage
  50mm is used to help with initial compression of injuries such as acute ankle sprains 

To help provide support to knee ligaments, begin with placing a 3.8cm roll of tape under the heel of the affected leg.

1. Attach anchors to the top and bottom with Elastoplast Sport Elastic Adhesive Bandage 7.5cm. Add another two at the top and bottom with Elastoplast Sport Rigid Strapping Tape 3.8cm for further strength. Apply two diagonal straps using Elastoplast Sport Rigid Strapping Tape 3.8cm. Start from the outside of the calf, passing the inside of the knee cap to the inside of the thigh. Then attach a strap going in the opposite direction, from the inside of the calf passing the inside of the knee cap to the outside of the thigh.
2. Repeat the taping several times to increase support.
3. Apply two vertical straps (shown in white) from the top to the bottom anchors on the inside of the leg.
4. Overwrap with Elastoplast Sport Elastic Adhesive Bandage 7.5cm using an overlapping spiral with a figure-8 at the knee joint to completely cover the rigid tape. (This will help provide extra protection). 

This simple taping method offers maximum support in helping to prevent lateral ligament sprains. 

1. Using, Elastoplast Sport Rigid Strapping Tape 3.8cm, attach anchors (A) first and then 3 stirrup straps (B).
2. Apply two figure-6’s around the foot, starting from the inside to the outside, returning to the inside after crossing the front of the foot (C).
3. Apply a half-heel lock to provide further support to the rear ankle area. Begin on the inside of the lower leg (D) and move down and across the outside of the ankle towards the front of the heel. Pass the tape under the foot and across the inside of the heel at a 45o angle (E). Pass the tape back to the outside of the ankle to finish on the inside of the lower leg where you started.
4. Overwrap the tape with Elastoplast Sport Elastic Adhesive Bandage 5cm to provide mild compression and to further secure the taped area. Using the figure-8 formation and a spiral, completely cover the rigid tape. 

Read more on ankle strapping to prevent ankle sprains.

Always see your doctor if the wound is deep, bleeding or shows signs of infection like reddening, swelling or warmth.  

Also make sure to seek medical help if you are not able to clean the wound properly.
In case you have diabetes a proper wound care is of special importance. Always discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor and/or podiatrist, even for the care of minor wounds and skin cracks – especially on your feet.
 
Please note that none of the above given tips or recommendations substitute medical advice. Carefully read the instructions for use given in our products‘ packages. Important: consult a health professional in case of any uncertainty of treating your wound properly.
 
The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care or advice. If you have or suspect a health problem, you should consult your doctor. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it, because of something you have read on this website.

For further information regarding Elastoplast products, please contact us via email on anz.consumerservices@beiersdorf.com. Carefully read the instructions for use given in our products' packages.