Strapping or taping can be applied to an ankle for any sport that requires a lot of jumping, running and quick changes in direction. Strapping is a temporary form of bracing that is applied to your foot, leg or knee to offload painful areas, muscles or tendons. As many conditions stem from placing too much strain on the surrounding muscles or tendons, strapping helps to reduce the amount of stretching and movement allowed at the area, while also providing pain relief.
Taping or strapping of the feet
Our NJ podiatrists will usually recommend strapping for the beginning stages of an injury, and during sports and physical activity while the muscles or tendons are healing to prevent the injury from reoccurring.
Strapping can be used as a complimentary treatment for the following conditions:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendinopathy & tendonitis
- Heel spurs
- Ankle sprains
- Bone fractures
- Stress fractures
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- Posterior Tibialis Tendon Dysfunction
Ankle Strapping for Sports
It’s commonly used on patients who are looking to get back into sport or physical activity following an injury. Our Garden State podiatrists may recommend strapping the injured area for the first couple of trainings or activities to provide extra support while the muscles and joints regain their strength. There are different types and combinations of tape that we recommend using for varying circumstances.
Rigid strapping tape
This taping is commonly used to restrict and limit motion of the joints from 24- 72 hours.
It works by:
- Stabilizing and supporting the injured area and preventing excessive movement
- Providing pain relief by reducing the load on painful areas
- Facilitating optimal movement to enable the least amount of energy to be required by your ligaments, joints and muscles
Kinesio tape (K-tape)
This is a flexible tape that can also be made into a rigid tape. It is a great tape for providing proprioceptive feedback. This helps your brain to better sense and recognize your position and movement. This is helpful for chronic long standing injuries to provide better stability e.g., tendonitis and knee pain. Similar to rigid strapping tape, it works by:
- Providing proprioceptive feedback to your nerves.
- Stabilizing and supporting the injury site and preventing excessive painful movement
- Providing pain relief by reducing the load on painful areas
- Facilitating optimal movement to enable the least amount of energy to be required by your ligaments, joints and muscles.
As there is more flexibility to this tape, it can perform a lifting action when strapped and also allows for improved circulation. This dynamically supports the area and allows it to move more freely than rigid tape.
It is often used in the management of muscle pain, swelling, tendonitis, preventing cramps, or reducing muscle fatigue.
Hyperallergic tape
If you’re allergic to band aids or taping, we often use hyperallergic tape to avoid allergic reactions and allow you to still benefit from strapping techniques. If you have any of the following allergies or conditions, please disclose with your Garden State podiatrist as this may affect what kind of tape and techniques we utilize.
- Zinc allergy
- Allergies to adhesive glue
- Any allergies or skin reactions to band aids and strapping tape
- Skin conditions
- Skin hypersensitivity
- Diabetes or any neuropathies
- Any altered sensation or loss of sensation in your feet
Contact the Foot and Ankle Experts at Garden State Foot & Ankle Group of Toms River Today
Dr. Manooj Prasad at Garden State Foot & Ankle Group of Toms River is a highly-experienced podiatrist with a mission to help those suffering from foot, ankle, and lower leg issues. He offers personalized care while considering each patient’s individual lifestyle needs so that the best possible treatment can be administered. Based in both Essex County and Ocean County in New Jersey, service towns include Toms River, Jackson, Belleville, Montclair, Lakewood, Cedar Grove, Caldwell, Manchester, Millburn, Livingston, Lakehurst, and many more! For more information, you can contact us today at (732)557-9900 (Toms River) or (973)450-3035 (Belleville) or explore our website.
0 Comments