Physical therapy treatment is comprehensive. This means it consists of a range of different interventions both in and out of the office, all of which are designed to help patients recover from their injuries and avoid getting injured again in the future. In addition to exercises and stretches, therapists also use additional techniques to accomplish this goal. One of the most commonly used interventions to help patients stay protected is therapeutic taping, which is effective for preventing injuries in Laurel.

Therapeutic taping, which simply means that the tape is being used as a form of therapy, can serve many purposes. In particular, it’s used to maximize performance, protect athletes from injuries and reduce the onset of muscle fatigue, swelling and pain.

The taping method essentially works as if it were a flexible cast. By carefully wrapping joints in therapeutic tape, it returns these structures to their proper position and keeps them firmly in place. This takes pressure off of ligaments or tendons that are stressed, which provides short-term pain relief and leads to faster healing for a wide range of conditions, such as joint pain, strains, sprains and inflammation.

So the primary objective of taping is to provide support and protection of injured areas and to make it easier to move normally. The key is to wrap joints tightly enough so that it accomplishes this, but not too tight to so that it restricts a patient’s functional abilities, especially when getting taped up before games. Patients can also learn how to tape themselves from their therapist so they can be prepared for any athletic endeavor.

Over the past few years, you’ve probably also noticed athletes like Serena Williams and Kerri Walsh Jennings sporting multi-colored tape all over their bodies during games and matches. This is called kinesiology—or kinesio—tape, which has been around for over 30 years, but has been gaining major popularity in recent years. The kinesio taping method was originally designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while providing support and stability to muscles and joints. The five major overall effects that kinesio taping seeks to accomplish are the following:

• 1) Correct muscle function
• 2) Improve circulation
• 3) Relieve pain
• 4) Reposition subluxed (partially dislocated) joints
• 5) Increase proprioception (sensory awareness)

Whether kinesio taping actually effective in accomplishing this is a matter of more debate. Some physical therapists and other medical professionals swear by kinesio tape, claiming it has led to impressive results in patients, while others are not so convinced. Unfortunately, there is no strong evidence that supports the use of kinesio tape as a predictable way to manage or prevent injuries, but this doesn’t stop many from continuing to use it on a regular basis.

While the benefits of using kinesio tape are not so clear, therapeutic taping is widely accepted as an effective way to enhance performance and prevent injuries in Laurel. If you’re dealing with any sort of injury that’s holding you back from competing to your full capacity, a physical therapy treatment program that includes therapeutic taping may be needed. Contact CAM Physical Therapy and Wellness Services, in Laurel, Hyattsville, Glenn Dale/Bowie and Parkville/Baltimore, MD at 301-853-0093 to schedule an appointment today, or click here for more information on therapeutic taping.