Elastic therapeutic taping is a valuable chiropractic tool in treating many different conditions. These include muscle sprain and strain; shoulder tension; headaches; dizziness; thoracic outlet syndrome; herniated disc; sacroiliitis; arthritis in the hip; fractured ribs; whiplash and associated disorders; degenerative joint disease; and a whole range of sports injuries.

Taping is utilized in addressing any musculoskeletal pain conditions. Chiropractors adjust the spine and extremities; therapeutic taping can be a particular asset in treating pain conditions such as neck pain, back pain, leg pain, hand pain, shoulder pain, knee pain – just about any area of the body. It is also used in treating postural, foot and gait issues.

When to Use Tape

In practical terms, there is a variety of instances in which applying therapeutic tape can improve outcomes. Applying tape prior to adjustment provides a range of benefits. Taping before the adjustment can balance the soft tissue, especially muscles, and thus make the adjustment easier for both the patient and the physician. Applying the tape to the painful site on the spine prior to adjustment can decrease pain and make it more comfortable for patients to receive the adjustment, as well as easier for the doctor to perform the adjustment. The application can also prevent possible further tissue damage to a site that may already have been injured.

Applying tape after an adjustment can prolong the effect of the adjustment by balancing the muscle. Applied after the adjustment, therapeutic taping can speed up healing by increasing circulation of bodily fluid at the pain site. Applying tape after the adjustment can also prevent further injury of the site, because it stimulates the patient's awareness of their own alignment and posture. In such instances, after performing manual techniques to improve thoracic mobility and neuromuscular re-education techniques to facilitate postural muscles, the tape may be used to apply a mechanical correction or muscle facilitation technique to help augment what is done in the clinic.

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