Stabilization tape refers to a tape dressing. This is an adhesive tape bandage used to immobilize and stabilize muscles and joints.
What is a stabilization tape?
The term tape comes from the English language and means band. What is meant by this is a plaster adhesive tape. It is used in sports medicine, orthopedics and trauma surgery. The stabilization tape belongs to the functional bandages. This means that the treated joint is not completely immobilized, as in the case of a plaster cast, but certain movements are still possible with it. The term tape comes from English and means band. It refers to an adhesive plaster tape. It is used in sports medicine, orthopedics and trauma surgery. It can be used for therapeutic purposes as well as for prevention. The function of stabilization tape is based on preventing unwanted or harmful movements. The tape strips, which are stable on the skin, transfer the applied forces to the skin. This allows, among other things, to provide stable support to the joint capsule ligament apparatus. At the same time, the perception of body movements improves. In addition, injured bones or joints are fixed to uninjured body structures and swelling is avoided. Stabilization tape is usually applied to arms and legs. Thereby, the tape is primarily suitable for the external stabilization of a joint.
Forms, types and types
Stabilization tapes are distinguished between different types. These are primarily the classic white tape and the colorful kinesiotape. The white tape is used to stabilize torn ligaments or to fix joints. It consists of adhesive inelastic bandages and is mainly used by competitive athletes. The so-called kinesio tapes, on the other hand, are elastic and are increasingly appreciated by amateur athletes. They are made of a special cotton fabric and resemble human skin in stretchability and thickness. The function of kinesio tapes is based on the stimulation of skin receptors. When the tape is applied, an effect similar to a massage occurs. By removing fluid, inflammation can subside more quickly. In addition, as the muscles relax again, the treated person has more mobility. The elastic tapes stabilize the muscles without restricting mobility. There are also other types of tapes. These include kinematic tapes, chiro tapes, medi tapes, K-active tapes, pino tapes and K-taping.
Structure and function
To apply a tape bandage, self-adhesive inelastic plaster strips are used. Supplementary, however, the use of other dressing materials is also possible. A stabilization tape is composed of anchor strips, among other things. These increase the strength of the bandage and facilitate its application. Other components are the tape reins and the casing strips. The tape reins follow the course of the body bandage and are held in place by fixation strips. Tightening is also possible. The shuttering strips are used to close the stabilization tape and give it further strength. As a rule, a tape dressing may only be applied to non-irritated skin. However, small wounds can be covered with an appropriate wound dressing. In order for the material of the stabilization tape to adhere sufficiently to the skin, it must be carefully cleaned. Liquids such as oil, grease or sweat as well as solids (such as dirt or powder) can negatively affect the adhesion of the tape. To properly apply a tape bandage, a course should be attended by a physiotherapist. However, there is also appropriate literature on the subject. The tape can either be applied around a joint or along a muscle course. The stabilization tape has the advantage over other bandages that the user can also shower with it. In addition, the tape lasts for about a week.
Medical and health benefits
A stabilization tape or tape bandage is said to have various positive effects on health. For example, it supports the treated joint, which medical professionals refer to as augmentation, serves to immobilize the joint and counteracts swelling.Furthermore, it provides improved body awareness. Its most common applications include overuse of muscles and joints, strains, sprains or tendovaginitis. In addition, the stabilizing tape can be used during sports training to prevent muscle soreness. Furthermore, it serves to protect against injuries in the case of already occurring signs of wear and tear. The tapes are also suitable for stabilizing ligament injuries or certain bone fractures such as non-displaced metatarsal fractures or broken toes. To fix a broken toe, it is attached to an adjacent toe using the tape. There is a significant reduction in mobility in the direction of the metatarsophalangeal, metatarsophalangeal and distal joints. In the case of a fracture of the metatarsal bone, stabilization of the fractured bone is performed by the four metatarsal bones that remained uninjured. It is important that the tape adheres well to counteract displacement. To prevent sports injuries, stabilization tapes are also used preventively in various competitive sports. These include, for example, basketball, handball, surfing, taekwondo and sports climbing. Because the tapes are applied very tightly in sports, they must be removed quickly after competition.
