Welcome to the world of sports tape, where choices abound, and injuries meet their match! In this adventure, we’ll explore the difference between rigid and flexible sports tape, helping you make informed decisions to optimise your performance and recovery. But if you need some face-to-face advice on this (or anything else physiotherapy related – we can’t help with existential questions – sorry!) give us a call at + (08) 9203 7771 to make an appointment. The physiotherapists at Next Generation Physiotherapy are here to help.
When you need steadfast support and joint stabilisation, the rigid tape is your go-to ally. This provides excellent rigidity and immobilisation to prevent excessive movements, making it ideal for acute injuries or when added stability is crucial. Here are a few scenarios where rigid is the way to go:
When it comes to combining support with flexibility, the flexible tape takes center stage. Also known as kinesiology tape, it’s stretchy and adhesive and offers a range of benefits beyond just support. Here’s when flexibility wins:
Rehabilitation and Performance Enhancement: Flexible tape is often used in rehabilitation settings and for performance enhancement. Its elasticity mimics the properties of the skin, promoting improved blood and lymphatic circulation while enhancing proprioceptive feedback. This can aid in facilitating movement patterns, reducing swelling, and optimising muscle function.
So – which one to use depends on the nature of your injury, the level of support required, and your specific activity needs. Rigid tape excels in providing stability and limiting motion, making it suitable for acute injuries and situations where joint immobilisation is crucial. On the other hand, flexible tape offers dynamic support, pain relief, and improved range of motion, making it ideal for muscle strains, postural support, and overall functional movement. If that’s all a bit much – don’t worry – your physiotherapist will advise you on taping as they help you recover from the injury that necessitated it. Give us a call at + (08) 9203 7771 to make an appointment. The physios at Next Generation Physiotherapy are here to help. We hope you found this tale of two tapes useful and interesting. If you did, consider following us on social media for more fascinating physiotherapy facts! We’re on Facebook and Instagram.
Physiopedia (ND) Taping. [Online] Available at https://www.physio-pedia.com/Taping. Accessed on 29/06/2023.
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