When You Should Tape and Why

In this short episode, Erica gives her perspective on when and why you should tape. This is one of the most commonly asked questions in her practice and this episode reveals Erica's perspective on taping all throughout the body. She also shares the types of taping techniques that she uses whether it's for supportive purposes or facilitatory purposes, or just nervous system input.  Taping can be a controversial topic in physical therapy. However, there is a time and a place for such interventions. Clinical reasoning dictates that we have a reason for why we do what we do and when it is appropriate. When you are trying to optimize a movement pattern for your patients, you need building blocks upon which to build new habits. Taping can be one such step. Not everybody needs this and not everybody loves this. That is where your clinical reasoning comes in. As an example, if you find that someone's dominant movement pattern is thoracic lateral translation to the left because of a long history of rowing as a left sweep, taping can be a helpful adjunct to your treatment to help facilitate optimal movement and build awareness.   In this episode, you'll hear: Erica's take on the use of tape in the clinic  The type of tape she uses The type of taping techniques she implements and what it's purpose is   A glance at this episode: [2:56] Relieving neck and shoulder pain by taping for scapular unloading [4:24] Restoring neuromuscular balance in the scapulothoracic joint  [4:51] Why taping doesn't help the shoulder  [5:26] Upper rib taping to help with thoracic drivers [7:19] Hip taping for greater external rotation [8:12] Taping the pelvis based on compression [9:26] Medial subtalar joint taping  [10:09] Taping the first ray of the foot to neutralize the subtalar joint   Related Links: Tough To Treat Website Erica's Course: Decoding the Complex Patient  View this episode on YouTube Susan's Pelvic Health Education Subscription Access the Transcript