What's The Deal With TAPE In PT?

What's The Deal With TAPE In PT?

If you've been to PT in the last 10 years you've probably been taped with something for some reason.

But not all tape is created equal or is used for the same purpose. Let us break it down for you.

Let's talk in terms of Need, Application, and Durability.

Athletic Tape (White Tape).

Need: Basic Short term support.

Application: Best at wrist, ankle, thumb, hold on a bandage.

Durability: Low, 1-2 hours.

We don't use athletic tape much because while it is cheap and easy to find and apply, it doesn't do much for very long. Wanna tape a wrist for a quick workout? Fine. But then it's getting ripped off and will end up in the trash.

RockTape (Kinesiotape).

Need: Unrestricted neurologic support and feedback to decrease pain and enhance movement.

Application: Anywhere on the body.

Durability: Moderate, 2-3 days.

Kinesiotape - and specifically our favorite, RockTape - goes on easy and provides a light support to the tissues and nervous system. Have an area of pain that needs to still function and move that you just want to activate? This is where RockTape shines. Like a "Neurologic hug" for the body part, it is perceptive to your brain but you are not super aware of it's presence once it's on. Think of it as a facilitator, not so much of a support, meaning we wouldn't tape a sprained ankle with it to restrict movement about that ankle, does that make sense?

LeukoTape (with Cover Roll base).

Need: Restrict and support tissues and joints. Enhance proprioceptive feedback and movement cuing. "Hold" in place.

Application: Anywhere, but specifically shoulder, mid and low back (posture), knee, ankle, foot.

Durability: High, 3-5 days. We dub this "human duct tape" as it is super strong, super sticky, and super supportive. If we want something highly durable that will protect a joint or tissue and give the body a sense of feedback, this is the tape we'd use. Oftentimes in rehab we're trying to "reinforce" a movement pattern and this tape will provide the most obvious feedback to your body and conscious brain.

Well, there it is. If you have any questions about tape, simply reply to this email and we'll do our best to answer them! And if you're currently working with one of our PTs, don't hesitate to ask the difference and purpose between each tape, there is a reason and a purpose for each!

LET US HELP YOU FEEL BETTER | MOVE BETTER | PERFORM BETTER