The main reason to use sports tape every day is for health benefits. Applied to an injury, the use of tape can make recovery faster and increase performance. Yet the most common misconception about sports tape is that it is used only for injury prevention while practicing a high-impact or intense sport. There is no doubt athletes use sports tape for this benefit. Yet that does not mean that only athletes use nor exclusively for medical reasons. Sports tape use is for everyone; it provides relief from injury and helps reduce swelling. There are many benefits to using sports tape for everyday activities.
What is Sports Tape
Sports tape is a thicker, more resilient strip of tape with an adhesive that limits the range of motion of a joint or holds a muscle in place. Sports tape is center stage in boxing, where the fighters wrap their hands in sports tape to protect their bones from the constant impacts against their opponent’s bodies.
Sport tape is also used for sports like gymnastics and weight lifting, where the tape is placed on the athlete’s wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles in an effort to limit the range of motion, promote proper technique, and prevent injury while doing strenuous activity.
The more drastic use of tape is its placement on small broken bones to help hold the fracture until a cast is placed on the injury.
Types of Tape
Excluding medical tape, a person might consider three main types of tape when making a purchase. Athletic, kinesiology and ice tapes are the main options available. The injury or discomfort being treated must be considered when purchasing the tape.
- Athletic tape, aka sports tape, is the most common recreational or competitive activity type. Athletic tape is the one most people think about when the subject of sports health comes up. The tape is light and breathable. It can withstand sweat and support injury and stability for competition and healing.
- Kinesiology sports tape is more specialized to aid in an athlete’s muscle movement. Flexible tape does more than help with pain and reduces swelling. The tape actively supports joints and muscles; these tapes were designed for athletic performance and practical biomechanics.
- Ice Tape is more of a bandage infused with a cooling agent. A cooling sensation should occur when exposed to air and then applied to the body, much like the application of a menthol-type linament. This tape is not explicitly designed for activity but primarily for after. It also focuses on reducing swelling and helping recover from joint stiffness.
Sports Tape and Injury
Sports tape helps prevent injuries in sports and rehabilitation. The pressure-sensitive tape is placed on the wound and keeps swelling down. The tape reduces the pain from exaggerated motions. The limited motion also increases the recovery speed by holding it still; as the injured area is weak and healing, hurting it again is possible, especially for sports enthusiasts who refuse to take breaks. The use of sports tape on swelling also helps with comfort. The pressure that helps keep things in place also prevents the accumulation of fluids.
Finally, the tape offers stability; this quality significantly improves joints after they become injured and can even improve muscle alignment. The increased strength helps the individual return to their daily activities with little discomfort; it can help reduce further harm and maintain proper biomechanics for the day’s activities.
How to Effectively Use Sports Tape Everyday
More and more people are finding pain in their everyday activities. Whether overusing a keyboard or lifting heavy objects, constant repetitive motions tend to cause inflammation, and one wrong twist or turn can cause a sprain.
These irritating aches can become annoying and difficult to get rid of if not taken care of properly. Yet, for some reason, people suffering from these irritations will usually try to ignore the problem until it either goes away or becomes complicated and in need of medical attention.
High-quality kinesiology tapes can quickly become part of an everyday routine. Usually best used after a shower. The person should dry off the area, then carefully apply the sports tape. Most joints have a particular way of dressing. There is more to it than pulling a strip of tape, winding it around several times, and then hoping for the best.
When applying the tape over an injury, proper technique is crucial. The human body joints flex and rotate, and these ranges of motion should always be considered when applying sports tape. Too much tape and blood circulation could be affected, use too little, then the area won’t benefit from the tape. Take a few moments to research your discomfort and find which dressing best suits your needs.
The idea is to use tape so that every day is more comfortable. Suppose the person uses it to reduce wrist pain from overusing a controller. Or in constant neck pain due to bad posture. Warehouse jobs will cause havoc on a person’s posture and back muscles. There can be a million reasons people will need to use sports tape to ease their day-to-day life. Even recuperating athletes can benefit significantly from the proper use of tape in their everyday lives that do not include running, jumping, lifting, or throwing.
Proper application is critical when limiting the range of motion in the neck from a bad night of sleep. Several online sources can illustrate how to tape up a section of the body seeking relief properly. Tape is also helpful in treating ankle pain and even for the sole of the foot.
The application might seem a little convoluted, but the benefits are worthwhile. People that make taping up part of their morning routine find their pain reduced. Be patient! Practice makes perfect. After a few days of applying the tape, users will be ripping and tearing their way to a much more comfortable afternoon.
What Type of Tape to Use
Tapes come in various sizes and colors. The sheer number of options can feel overwhelming. And there are several things to consider. The fear of faulty adhesive or a possible allergic reaction are always things to bear in mind.
It is essential to consider these issues and take a moment when viewing your possible purchase to make sure the brand lists all the contents. Then look into product reviews to ensure you purchase what you need.
Unless specified by the manufacturer for different thicknesses, tape colors do not mean anything. Tape colors are just decorative for the user to dress their injuries. So feel free to buy the color that best fits your outfit or mood. Wear the colors of the city’s team, or even purchase skin tones to mask the tape in case of a special event.
Tapes will usually be available in several widths. Make sure to buy the right-sized roll of tape, and the customer should usually avoid smothering the area with too much tape. Do not panic if the wrong-sized roll arrives. Tape to the appropriate size with scissors, then roll back the excess tape or discard it at your leisure.
Tape Up
For individuals who practice sports and hope to avoid reinjury, using tape before a football game, volleyball match, or MMA fight can be incredibly beneficial. Hampton Adams athletic tape can help the joint with the strain placed on it due to the activity. The tape also helps execute proper technique, a must when practicing weight lifting or other strenuous sports.
Competitive powerlifters or everyday hard workers can significantly help their joint issues with the proper kinesiology tape. These activities usually cause lower back issues along with several other biomechanical complications. The greatest strength in their recovery is immobilizing the affected area; proper taping can help these athletes perform to their maximum potential.
Unwrapping
There are very few disadvantages when using tape. Yet, these issues should be addressed to avoid them and safely use tape daily.
If incorrectly applied, sports tape can cause blistering. These are usually a result of chaffing but are easily avoidable if a person follows proper wrapping instructions. If the user notices discomfort, remove the tape, clean the area and reapply the tape correctly.
The tape eventually wears down, as the constant motion causes it to loosen and widen. The user should remove the worn tape and reapply a new dressing if needed. Wear and tear is a common occurrence with the use of sports tape, so it is vital to change the wraps when it weakens due to overuse.
Conclusion
Do not put up with the annoying pain. Taking care of these minor annoyances only takes a moment. The day can then be much easier, and not only is the immediate problem taken care of, but the proper use of tape can also help prevent future injury. Think of it as using a back brace to prevent further damage from lifting heavy objects. It is a simple effort to use sports tape for everyday life effectively.
