The benefits of bandages and tapings

Physical therapists use elastic bandages and tapings to help speed up the recovery of in­jured patients. These devices aid in stabilizing joints, reducing inflammation, strengthe­­ning muscles, increasing circulation, relea­sing muscle spasms and alleviating muscle and joint pain.

Support bandages can be used to stabilize the movement of certain joints, while compression bandages are applied to help reduce swelling during re­covery.

A neuro-proprioceptive taping (or K-Taping), on the other hand, is a relatively new technique in physical therapy. It in­volves applying elastic tape to the affected body part. This helps to reduce pain, increase circulation — which speeds up healing — and improve the in­teraction bet­ween muscles, joints, ligaments and nerves.

Commonly used by athletes, this type of taping is water-resistant and can last up to five days. It’s normally used for shoulder subluxations, tendonitis, posture correction or to re­duce pain during an activity. Consult a physical therapist to learn more about the different types of bandages and tapings and their associated benefits.