Padding, Taping, Bracing

Padding

Padded clothing

Padding can prevent injuries by protecting the body from heavy contact with other people, hard surfaces or objects. Padding may be worn on all body parts; however, the most common types of padding are worn in contact sports such as American football, hockey, rugby and ice hockey; usually padding is worn to protect the shoulders, legs and head.

Padded equipment

Padding may also be applied to equipment to protect injuries; this can be seen in many sports where goal posts and corner flags have a padded wrapping around them.

Taping

Use of taping

Taping is used to restrict movement around the injured joint, which will help healing and prevent further injury.

Benefits of taping

Taping prevents the joint from moving following an injury, which stabilises the joint and keeps it in the correct position. Taping also offers support and protection for the injured joint, which prevents further damage to the soft tissue surrounding the joint.

Types of injury

Taping helps to support weak or injured joints; taping is most common with damage to the soft tissue surrounding the knee joint and sprained ankles.

Types of tape

Zinc oxide tape: this tape is usually white and is used to limit the movement around the injured joint.

Elastic adhesive bandage: this type of bandage sticks to the skin and helps to restrict movement around the injured joint; this is the most effective type of tape for muscular injuries as it stretches when the muscle expands.

Cohesive bandage: a cohesive bandage does not stick directly to the skin but it does stick to itself so it can be wrapped around a body part or joint; these bandages are usually used during the compression stage of treatment for an acute injury.

Bracing

What is bracing?

Braces are usually worn either after an injury or as a means of protection during physical activity. Braces are commonly worn on the knees and ankles. Back braces can also be worn following a spinal injury to help improve posture and stabilise the position of the vertebrae. Braces help to take the pressure off muscles and bones.

Benefits of braces

Braces help to stabilise a joint or body part and offer additional protection during an exercise session; braces also help to prevent further damage to an existing injury.

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