| Athletic Tape, also known as sports tape, is | | | | properties of Kinesio Athletic Tape have been known |
| constructed to provide support and stabilize ligaments | | | | to treat injuries and reduce the amount of time needed |
| and joints. Professional athletes, to prevent injury to | | | | to heal. With its great adhesion to the skin and superior |
| tendons or muscle groups, utilize a variety of taping | | | | elasticity, kinesio taping provides outstanding |
| methods to immobilizing the injury. Usually, this is the | | | | therapeutic benefits to athletes. |
| preferred athletic taping technique which is considered | | | | As far as traditional sports tape is considered, it's |
| by many physical therapists to be the method of | | | | rather thick and non-elastic compared to kinesio tape. |
| choice. | | | | Usually it is best to apply a prewrap prior to taping, as |
| Traditionally, sports tape has been very crucial for | | | | it can retain moisture which causes irritation to skin. |
| situations where the joint has become very unstable or | | | | Also the tapes harsh adhesive, if left on for extended |
| the instability has become severe enough that a tight | | | | periods of time, could potentially cause a skin irritation |
| tape job is necessary to keep the area safe from | | | | or rash. However, this is not the case with Elastic |
| further injury. In order to provide additional support, | | | | Therapeutic Tape; it is much thinner and stretchier. It is |
| Athletic Tape should be applied by a professional who | | | | designed to function just like real human skin. Also, it's |
| understands the best practices for taping. However, in | | | | very porous, and releases moisture much more easily. |
| cases where severe injury has occurred, athletes look | | | | This is what allows for the tape dry most efficiently |
| to other types of sports tapes. | | | | after sweating, showering, and even swimming. For |
| In some instances, any additional movement of the | | | | this reason, the tape can be worn for multiple days at |
| injured area could result in more damage and longer | | | | a time without needing to be reapplied. |
| recovery time. However, the elastic therapeutic | | | | |