Functional Taping is used as one of the means of rehabilitation and is applied strategically to the body to provide support, lessen pain, reduce swelling, and improve performance. Some of the goals with taping are to restrict the movement of injured joints, soft tissue compression to reduce swelling, support anatomical structures, and offer protection from re-injury.

There are different kinds of tape that can be employed:

Rigid strapping tape commonly used in taping or strapping is often referred to as "sports tape" or "athletic tape" and is most often a rigid style of strapping tape.

Elastic strapping tape can also be used when less rigidity or support is required.

Kinesiology tape is an improved version of elastic sports tape that acts to dynamically assist your muscle function.

What is Functional Taping used for?

Functional Taping is applied for several purposes, some of the most common ones are:

Relieving pain

Improving joint stability

Enhancing athletic performance

Reducing injury recurrence

Preventing injury

Reducing strain on injured or vulnerable tissues

Correcting faulty biomechanics

Inhibiting or Facilitating muscle action

What are the benefits of Functional Taping?

1. Injury Treatment

Functional Taping is sometimes used as one part of an overall treatment plan for people who’ve been injured. Kinesiology taping reduces pain and swelling.

2. Supporting Weak Muscles or Joints

Functional tape is also used to add extra support to muscles or joints that need it. In certain conditions like patellofemoral stress syndrome, IT band friction syndrome, or Achilles tendonitis, functional taping is highly effective.

3. Reduce Pain & Improves Posture

Functional taping can help re-train muscles that have lost function or that have gotten used to an unhealthy way of working. For instance, taping can be used to correct posture in your head and neck and reduce neck pain.
Speaking of posture correction, taping also helps you improve the way you walk. Experts feel this may be because having the strange sensation of tape on your skin can make you more aware of how you’re standing or moving.

4. Enhanced performance

Some athletes use kinesiology taping to help them achieve peak performance and protect against injury when they’re competing in special events.
A lot of runners use this tape every time they run a marathon. We sometimes place the tape as a way of ‘waking up’ the muscle and reminding it to keep working.
In fact, taping can enhance movement and endurance. Application of taping on athletes has shown that when the tape is used on fatigued muscles, performance improves.

Book an Appointment for Functional Taping Today

Are you interested in knowing more about Functional Taping for pain relief?

Book an appointment today with one of our medical experts to help you determine if Functional Taping could be an option for treatment.