Guide to Strapping Tapes

At PÄRZT, we carry many different types of strapping tapes.  We like to summarize various tape types and describe how they are used on athletes.

FOAM UNDERWRAP

• Made of high quality PU sponge, non-adhesive and strong stretchability, highly flexible, breathability, good adhesion and not easy to slide. Suitable for the skin protection from most sports tapes and sports protective gears.
• Wide application, used by physical therapists and sports medicine practitioners around the world. It is suitable for all kinds of sports practice, whether it is running, gym exercise, tennis, basketball, football, badminton, table tennis, cycling etc.  Effectively prevent muscle strain.
• high quality underwrap should come off the roll smoothly and conforms to the body part that is about to be taped. The thin lightweight foam provides a barrier between the skin and the tape in order to protect the skin from friction and chafing. Idea for all parts of the body, especially for joints and other parts that are not easily wrapped
• Pre-taping underwrap is a thin, lightweight foam material that is applied to the skin prior to taping techniques and tape jobs for added comfort. Pre-tape underwrap is perfect for prevention of chafing and to prevent skin irritation when the ankle, knee wrist or hand is taped up. Taping techniques are commonly used by physios, athletic trainers and sports therapists in the treatment and prevention of sports injuries.
• It can be used in combination with adhesive bandages, sports tapes and other devices during exercise, to avoid direct adhesion of the tape (bandages) to the skin and increase comfort. 

HYPOALLERGENIC DRESSING TAPE

Hypoallergenic Dressing Tapes are used to provide protection to the skin from the other strapping tapes. The adhesive used on these tapes is hypo-allergenic, which means it reduces the risk of skin irritations when used underneath other strapping tapes. When used under tapes, they can also increase the adhesion of the strapping.

• Polyester non-woven backing
• Low allergy polyacrylate adhesive
• Good initial and long term adhesion
• Easily cut to required shape and size so no unecessary wastage
• Transverse stretch provides excellent conformability, even on contoured body areas such as knee, elbow and shoulder
• Complete primary dressing coverage reduces risk of contamination
• Virtually painless removal without leave adhesive residue
• Air and moisture vapour permeable
• Fixation of instruments, probes and catheters
• Particularly useful over joints and on extremeties

Rigid Strapping Tape

Rigid Strapping tape is the primary tool to use when strapping to support joints. The fabric is of a rigid construction with no elasticity.  The fabric itself comes in cotton and synthetic rayon while cotton being more breathable.  Usually white color rigid tape is cotton and brown color one is rayon material.

It comes in various width 50mm, 38mm, 25mm and 12.5mm depending on what part of the body is being strapped. By far the most popular tape is the 38mm rigid. The adhesive used in these tapes can be quite aggressive, so ensuring that players/patients do not have an allergy to the tape is important. If someone is allergic to fabric bandaids, there is a fair chance they will be allergic to the rigid tapes and an undertape will be required.

ELASTIC ADHESIVE BANDAGES (EAB) STRAPPING TAPES – Heavy duty

Heavy duty EAB tapes is very strong and is not tearable.  You will not be able to tear tape by hands and scissors is required to properly cut these tape. Yet heavy duty EAB is very stretchy because of its high elastic component. These strapping tapes can be used over the top of rigid strapping tape to reinforce the taping that has been applied to an area or used as an anchor point for rigid strapping tapes, around areas such as thighs and upper arms. This avoids the tourniquet effect that may occur from using a rigid circumferential anchor. EAB tape are available in 75mm, 50mm and 25mm widths, used differently depending on where they are to be applied.

• PREMIUM CLOTH BANDAGE TAPE – use of premium woven cotton cloth. This means greater tensile strength, improved comfort and increased breathability. Perfect for heavy duty taping applications that require additional strength.
• A firm favourite in rugby, it is mainly used for shoulder strapping, as an over-wrap for Zinc Oxide taping applications or to hold lifting blocks in place.
• EAB offers the perfect blend of tensile strength, adhesion and conformability. Meaning it will stay on the pitch as long as you do.

Tearable Elastic Ahesive Bandage

Some EAB strapping tapes are hand-tearable. These tapes are also stretchy but are made from a hand-tearable material that makes application easy and quick, although they may not be as tough and supportive as the heavy duty (non-hand-tearable) types. It comes in various widths 7.5cm, 5cm, 2.5cm.  

RELIABLE SUPPORT – ideal for a firm support strapping around ankles, knees, elbow, wrist and thigh, helping joint stabilization when playing any sport.

• EASY TO USE – Lightweight EAB tape strapping with a strong hypoallergenic adhesion, easy to unwind and tear by hand.
• LATEX FREE FABRIC – Made from a breathable, latex free, woven cotton spandex, our bandage tape has a crinkle skin texture for extra grip.

Cohesive Tapes

Cohesive Tapes are stretchy but do not stick to skin.  It is used to create compression to joints and muscles after trauma.  It is a simple but a very popular tape that comes in various widths 10cm, 7.5cm, 5cm, 2.5cm.  

SELF ADHESIVE ELASTIC BANDAGE – Cohesive conforming bandage tapes sticks to itself, rather than the skin, and contains no glue. Cohesive compression bandages eliminate the need for an underwrap or an adhesive spray, allowing for a quick application.

• VET TAPE – Cohesive bandage is commonly used as a compression wrap / vet wrap for dogs, horses and other pets after surgery. This strapping keeps the wound clean and secure.
• COMPRESSION BANDAGE – Cohesive bandages contain no glue, can be ripped by hand, and are self adherent. They are ideal as a medical bandage wrap. wrist tape, ankle tape or compression tape for any area of the body.
• FOOTBALL SPORTS TAPE – Used commonly in Football as a sock tape or sock wrap tape. Perfect for holding shin guards and socks in place securely. Goalkeepers also use it as a wrist tape or goalkeeper finger tape.

Kinesiology Tape

They are elastic tapes that mimic the skin’s elasticity and are applied to the body to facilitate movement and enhance muscle activity, rather than providing a restrictive mechanical support to the body as is the aim with regular strapping tapes. 

May improve circulation of blood and fluids

A 2017 study (Craighead DH, et al. (2017). Kinesiology tape modestly increases skin blood flow regardless of tape application technique.
performancehealthresearch.com/article/1801) showed that kinesiology taping can improve blood flow in the skin. Trusted Source It may also improve circulation of lymphatic fluids. Lymphatic fluid is mostly water, but it also contains proteins, bacteria, and other chemicals. The lymphatic system is the way your body regulates swelling and fluid buildup.

• Treating injuries
• Supporting muscle and joints
• Re-educating muscles (Sung Y-B, et al. (2017). Effects of taping and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation for stance phase duration of stroke patients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5702841/)
• Managing scars (Karwacinska J, et al. (2012). Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping on hypertrophic scars, keloids and scar contractures. DOI:10.1016/j.poamed.2012.04.010)