Hansaplast - Taping know-how

If you work out, you know that sports injuries are as normal as losing to another team every now and then. A little help from Hansaplast sports tapes will help you get over the setbacks – and prevent further injury.

Why Taping?

Whether it’s after injury or to protect it in the first place; it is possible to avoid or relieve joint pain or injury by using tapes or bandages for support and stabilisation. These products protect and support injury-prone joints reliably and without the risk of side effects. Bandages offer various degrees of compression and stabilisation which will provide reliable support for any joint. These products can also contribute to healing after injury. In addition, their compressive attributes will improve metabolism, which helps reduce swelling and alleviate tissue tightness more quickly.

Tapes and bandages can

Stabilise after acute injury and give protection and support
Help with chronic pain (such as often the case in joints like the ankle)
Enhance healing by compressing tissue

Athlete’s companion: Bandages stabilise and support joints

A variety of sports use taping to prevent injury. Especially in sports most commonly associated with ankle sprains, such as basketball, football, volleyball or soccer, adhesive tape is often used to help athletes recover from ligament sprains of the ankle or to help prevent further injury.

Strapping with adhesive tape is important for the prevention of joint injuries, especially the ankle and hand. Taping is also essential during early management of injury and rehabilitation, because recurrence of injury when an athlete recommences training is less likely with supportive taping.

Protect your hands and fingers

Sensitive fingers and joints need protection

Stopping and catching balls, spiking, passing and blocking can all lead to injury, unless the fingers and hands are sufficiently stabilised. The Hansaplast Sport Tape is ideal for these purposes: it supports joints and tendons, minimises painful, excessive movement and promotes recovery from sports injuries. The Sport tape is available in various lengths and widths for optimum fit. It adheres reliably and provides protection for finger and hand joints while playing sports such as handball or volleyball.

Taping Q & A

CAN I TAPE MYSELF?

Not initially, as the most important thing about taping is the technique. A medical professional will give a lot of thought and know-how into the taping technique he uses on your injured joint. He will see to it that the tape is well positioned and placed, adjust the tape‘s tension and direction according to your condition. He will also find the right degree of compression and know how much mobility the taping should allow for.

WHAT IS KINESIOTAPING?

Kinesiotaping with special elastic tapes is used around the world for sports injuries. Based on the theory that by adjusting the tension of skin with the tape, muscle, circulation and lymphatic function can be improved. The therapy has its origins in Japan and became widely popular after athletes used it during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Special elastic sport tapes are widely used in many areas of prevention, rehabilitation and muscle injuries and said to provide joint support, muscle strain support and pain relief, its popularity in the sports world being so high due to them allowing for more mobility than regular tapes. The tapes itself are made to resemble skin‘s own properties, from self-adhesive, water-and air-permeable elastic material that will allow for a full range of motion and can be worn for several days. Special sports tapes are also being used in medical settings, e. g. to treat lymphedema, a blockage in the lymphatic system that leads to swelling.

Some Extra Tips

1. Let the pros do it
If you have suffered from an injury and are referred to a physiotherapist, let him or her show you the proper taping technique.

2. Stay cool after pain
If injuries such as contusions, pulled muscles or sprains do occur, they should be treated immediately by applying intense cold. Follow RICER. Cooling products provide effective cold, alleviate pain and help prevent swelling. They also support the healing process.

Expert Tip

How can sports injuries be prevented?

Dr. Gerd Müller, expert and orthopaedic specialist

You can stabilise and support joints with the help of bandages
“Muscles should be warmed up and stretched before each unit of exercise. If it is known that certain parts of the body will be under particular strain, tapes or bandages can be used for additional support. It is also important to exercise regularly and to increase training gradually. Gently explore your limits, and then increase loads slowly.”

Cool it on the spot!
In case of acute injury, adequate cooling should be applied to the affected parts immediately. Cooling reliably alleviate pain and help reduce swelling by providing targeted cooling.

Please note that none of the above given tips or recommendations substitute medical advice. Important: consult a health professional in case of an injury or if you suspect overuse of joints or a medical condition such as a fracture. A physician should be consulted in those acute cases when the condition is accompanied by reddening, swelling or hyperthermia of joints, ongoing joint trouble or severe pain and/or are associated with neurological symptoms (e.g. numbness, tingling, loss of motion).

For further information regarding Hansaplast products, please contact us via email on phc@beiersdorf.com. Carefully read the instructions for use given in our products‘ packages.