Mobilization taping is a therapeutic procedure used in physiotherapy, sports medicine, rehabilitation and orthopedics, which can be used to treat dizziness, headaches, migraines and back pain, among others. The procedure is a combination of physiotherapeutic mobilization and the application of a fixative tape (English word for (adhesive) tape). Various methods of mobilization can be mentioned depending on the indication and the affected joint. Mobilization is based on the principle that every muscle movement is an interaction between the contraction and relaxation of a muscle. With the help of mobilization, the corresponding muscle groups in particular are to be strengthened in order to achieve an extension or restoration of mobility. In taping, several methods with different objectives can be distinguished.
Indications (areas of application)
- Cephalgia (headache) – Tension of the neck muscles represents a common cause of headaches. Monotonous work, as well as poor posture, can cause these increases in tone of the neck muscles. The consequence of this increased tone is a change in the consistency of the muscles. With the help of the combination of mobilization and taping, the tone of the neck muscles can be permanently corrected.
- Functional back pain – Functional back pain is pain for which no cause can be found. Blockages and muscle tension are responsible for 70% of back pain and are therefore the most common cause of back pain.
- Muscle shortening – Muscle shortening typically occurs as a protective stimulus to various stresses. Examples of stresses include pain, but also acoustic or visual stressors. Also degenerative joint changes, coordination disorders in the absence of training and overload of the muscles by one-sided training loads or activities can be identified as causes of reflex muscle shortening.
- Lymphatic drainage disorder – For disorders of the lymphatic system, mobilization taping can provide relief by improving lymphatic circulation.
- General pain disorders – Receptors to detect stimuli that are converted into pain perception in the brain are also located in the muscles. In the musculature, the nociceptors (pain receptors) primarily transmit mechanically induced pain stimuli. Through mobilization followed by taping, the stimuli can be reduced, so that pain is perceived alleviated.
- Vertigo (dizziness) and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) – The mechanisms of origin of vertigo and tinnitus are often unknown. While various types of vertigo such as spinning and staggering vertigo are known, some of the causes are still unknown. Tinnitus can often be related to stress and strain, and these are often associated with tension.
Contraindications
- Open wounds and incompletely healed scars – Mobilization taping should not be performed in skin areas with open wounds or incompletely healed scars.
- Atopic eczema (neurodermatitis) and psoriasis (psoriasis) – Symptoms of skin diseases such as neurodermatitis and psoriasis can be aggravated by mobilization taping in the short term.
- Pregnancy – During pregnancy, mobilization taping should be performed only with special caution.
- Known allergy to ingredients of the tapes – An allergy to ingredients such as acrylic may be a contraindication.
Before therapy
Before starting mobilization taping, it should be clarified whether the patient is being treated with anticoagulants (blood-thinning medications). Taking these medications in combination with mobilization taping may cause small hemorrhages in the skin. Case studies have shown that patients taking anticoagulants such as Marcumar occasionally complain of pruritus (itching), although the cause of this is not yet clear.
The procedure
Mobilization taping is a combination of physiotherapeutic mobilization and taping. In a first step, the muscular tensions or hardenings are released with a gentle and painless mobilization.Subsequently, a tape (drug-free special plaster) is applied to the corresponding region. This does not result in complete immobilization of joints and muscle regions, but stabilization through fixation, so that necessary activity of the muscles is always possible. The special adhesive technique promotes local blood circulation, which can accelerate healing. All the principles of action of the tape bandages have not yet been fully clarified, however, in addition to the increase in blood circulation, compression, splinting and a positive effect on the joints are suspected. With the help of mobilization taping, long-lasting symptom relief or even complete symptom freedom can be achieved.
After therapy
No special measures are necessary following therapy. If the success of the therapy is not sufficient, mobilization taping can be extended with various therapeutic methods.
Possible complications
If the contraindications are not observed, complications may arise if necessary. However, the method represents a procedure with very few complications.
