Tag: Sports Tape

Articles that are related to Sports Tape

strap a thumb

How To Strap A Thumb

Thumb injury prevention is a topic which is close to my heart, having suffered a major thumb injury during the my own playing days, with a fractured scaphoid.  So in this weeks article of SportStraps “How to Strap” series, I’d like to take a closer look at how to strap a thumb.

Lance Franklin Strapped Thumb

How is the Thumb Injured

One of the most common thumb injuries is the ulnar collateral ligament injury, or sprained thumb injury, where the  ligaments of the thumb that support the pinch or grasp activites is strained, or torn.

During a fall while playing sports, there is a natural tendancy to use the palm to cushion the impact, and sometimes the thumb can get caught in the wrong way, and cause a thumb sprain.

Thumb Anatomy

The thumb can also be subjected to being caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, like being caught in a jumper or hit awkwardly with the ball. While the ligament can usually heal relatively quickly, if the surrounding thumb ligaments are injured repeatedly they can become weakened or stretched.

So a good thumb taping technique is important for both thumb injury prevention and to assist the player to continue playing with injury.

Below is a video showing a great technique for strapping the thumb using Sports Tape, by highly experienced Sports Trainer, Cam Wray. If you have read the previous “How to Strap” articles, who will know that Cam needs no introduction, having been a trainer for many first class clubs around the world and Australia. Enjoy!

How to Strap a Thumb

Its clear in the video, that Cam’s method is different to the old method, and gives great support to the Collateral Ligament and Thumb Joint.

In this technique the hand is in a relaxed open position, with the tape applied as follows:

  1. Elastic Adhesive Bandage applied in 4-5 times alternating passes, starting on the back of the hand and passing between the thumb and index finger, around the thumb and back of hand to the base of the palm.
  2. Finish off with Rigid Strapping Tape with the same technique with 1-2 passes, not to tight, just to hold it all together and give extra support.

As well as using the correct thumb taping technique, its also important to use quality supplies, so lets have a look at what is needed to complete the job.

What items do you need to Strap a Thumb?

To strap a thumb properly, you are going to need the following items:

Optional items you may wish to use:

Preparation to Tape a Thumb

For the best results when thumb strapping, it is recommended to prepare the thumb by doing the following:

  • Shave off any hair around the area on the back of the hand being taped (Hairy guys only).
  • Ensure the hand is clean from dirt or oil.

What is the Right Tape Tension.

When taping a thumb its important comfort and to maintain usability of the thumb and hand, that the thumb is not taped too tight, or taped with the wrong technique, as it will prevent the blood flow or even worse cause the thumb to stick out and increase the risk of injury.

To strap a thumb to the correct tension, you simply need to take care to lay the Elastic Adhesive Bandage on the skin with little tape tension.

More “How to Strap” Articles?

Though this is the fourth article, there are three other articles in the SportStrap “How to Strap” series. So far we have looked how to prevent ankle, shoulder and knee injuries with some great strapping techniques.

In case you missed the articles, you can find them here:

If you found this article helpful please complete the following:

    • Subscribe to our Newsletter below to receive more “How To” articles as released.
    • Leave a comment below, to let me know:
      • Your experience with strapping a thumb,
      • Or any questions you have about how to tape a thumb!
    • Add your “Like” to the SportStrap fan page
[optin]

Have a most outstanding day,

Cade Arnel

SportStrap.com.au ©2011

Chris Judd Shoulder Injury

How To Strap A Shoulder

Chris Judd Strapped Shoulder In this weeks article of SportStraps “How to Strap” series, I’d like to focus on preventing shoulder injuries, by taking a close at look at how to strap a shoulder.

One of the most common shoulder injuries is the acromioclavicular joint injury, or AC Joint injury, where the inside ligaments of the shoulder can be strained, stretched or damaged.

The shoulder,  can take a lot of impacts, strains and dislocations from ‘over extension’ and collisions during contact sports.

The shoulder can also be subjected a lot of wear and tear after years of playing sports that involve lots of arm extension activity, which can stretch or weaken the shoulder joint and the surrounding ligaments.

Learn to Strap a Shoulder from an Expert

So a proper taping technique is important for both shoulder injury prevention and sport injury management in sports people and athletes.

I would like to share with you a video that shows a great technique for strapping the shoulder using Sports Tape, courtesy of highly experienced Sports Trainer, Cam Wray. As I have mentioned previously, Cam has been a trainer with many first class rugby teams such as England, South Africa, Australian Universities, the Australian Barbarians, Canada 7’s, Argentina 7’s and the Qld Reds rugby teams. I hope you like it!

How to Strap a Shoulder

As you can see from the video, Cam’s method is both simple and gives great support to the AC Joint.

In this technique the arm is slightly bent, with the hand resting on the hip and tape is applied as follows:

  1. Anchors are applied both over the shoulder and around the bicep,
  2. Apply 2-3 basket-weave strips both direction, criss-crossing the point of the shoulder to give the shoulder ligament support and protection.
  3. Apply 2-3 corkscrew strips starting from the nipple area, up and over the point of the shoulder and wrapping around the arm.
  4. Finish off with Elastic Adhesive Bandage over and around the arm & shoulder, and around the upper torso.

As well as using the correct shoulder taping technique, its also important to use quality supplies, so lets have a look at what is needed to complete the job.

 

What items do you need to Strap a Shoulder?

To strap a shoulder properly, you are going to need the following items:

Preparation to Tape a Shoulder

For optimum results when taping the shoulder, it is recommended to prepare the shoulder by doing the following:

  • Shave off any hair around the area on the shoulder being taped (Hairy guys only).
  • Apply Pre-Tape Spray to improve Tape Adhesion.
  • Cover the nipple with an adhesive foam ring for protection.

Correct Tape Tension

Shoulder Anatomy

Its also important for the athletes comfort and performance, that the arm is not taped too tight, as it will prevent the blood flow down the arm and become uncomfortable.

To strap a shoulder to the correct tension, you simply need to take care to lay the Rigid Strapping Tape on the skin with little to no tape with tension.

More “How to Strap” Articles?

In the first two articles of the SportStrap “How to Strap” series, we have looked how to prevent both ankle and knee injuries with some great strapping techniques.

In case you missed the articles, you can find them here:

Next week, we will take a look at how to prevent thumb injuries, and in particular “how to strap a thumb”.

If you found this article helpful please complete the following:

    • Subscribe to our Newsletter below to receive more “How To” articles as released.
    • Leave a comment below, to let me know:
      • Your experience with strapping a shoulder,
      • Or any questions you have about strapping shoulders!
    • Add your “Like” to the SportStrap fan page
[optin]

Have a most outstanding day,

Cade Arnel

SportStrap.com.au

How to Strap a Knee

How To Strap A Knee

Shaun Burgoyne Strapped KneeIn this weeks edition of the SportStrap “How to Strap” series, we are going to take a closer look at how to strap a knee.

The knee can take a lot of punishment during activity playing sport, and in particular contact sports. So a proper taping technique is important for both knee injury prevention and sport injury management in sports people and athletes.

One of the most common knee ligament injuries is the medial collateral ligament injury, where the inside ligaments of the knee can be strained or damaged.

Learn How to Strap a Knee from an Expert

I would like to share with you another video that shows a great technique for supporting the knee using Sports Tape, courtesy of highly experienced Sports Trainer, Cam Wray.

Cam has worked with many first class rugby teams such as England, South Africa, Australian Universities, the Australian Barbarians, Canada 7’s, Argentina 7’s and the Qld Reds rugby teams. Enjoy!

Best Knee Strapping Technique

As you can see from the video, Cam’s method is both simple and gives great support to the medial ligament.

How To Tape A Knee

  1. In this technique the knee is slightly bent at 10°, anchors are applied above and below the knee.
    How To Strap a Knee 1
  2. Apply 3 series of basket-weave strips on the inside of the knee, criss-crossing the inside of the knee to give the medial ligament support and protection. Ensure the strips overlap by approx 50%.
    How to Strap a Knee 5
  3. Apply 2 medial crossover strips from the top anchor on from the inside of the knee, around the back to bottom anchor on the outside of the knee. Ensure the strips overlap the previous strip by about 50%.
    How to Strap a Knee
  4. Wrap with Elastic Adhesive Bandage, start at the top anchor and wrap around once and then diagonally down to the bottom anchor on the inside of the knee.
    How To Strap a Knee 8
  5. Continue to wrap the knee with EAB around the bottom anchor.
    How to Strap A Knee 9
  6. Continue wrapping around the bottom anchor then diagonally back up to the top anchor on the inside of the knee. Finishing on the outside of the knee at the top.
    How to Strap a Knee 10
  7. Remember to rub down the the tape to assist with adhesion.

 

As well as using the correct knee taping technique, its also important to use quality supplies for the job, so lets have a look at what is needed.

 

What items do you need to Strap a Knee?

To strap a knee properly, you are going to need the following items:

Preparation to Tape an Knee

For optimum results when taping the knee, it is recommended to prepare the knee by doing the following:

  • Shave off any hair around the area on the knee being taped.
  • Cover any wounds with Non-Stick Wound pads.

Correct Tape Tension

Knee Anatomy

Its also important for the athletes comfort and performance, that the knee is not taped to tight, in particular the anchors above and below the knee, as it will prevent the blood flow around the knee and restrict movement.

To strap a knee to the correct tension, two good tests to do is the pinch test (as mentioned last week), & also knee squats. If the anchors don’t restrict your movement or flexing of your calf and hamstring to much, then the taping tension is right.

More “How to Strap” Articles?

This article is the second of many of SportStrap’s “How To Strap” series. Other articles in the “How to” series can be found below:

If you found this article helpful please complete the following:

    • Subscribe to our Newsletter below to receive more “How To” articles as released.
    • Leave a comment below, to let me know:
      • Your experience with strapping a knee,
      • Or any questions you have about strapping knees!
    • Add your “Like” to the SportStrap fan page
[optin]

Have a most outstanding day,

Cade Arnel

SportStrap.com.au