Sports physiotherapy is very crucial for athletes. It helps in injury prevention, stabilisation, recovery, and performance enhancement for athletes who are prone to multiple injuries. A major part of sports physiotherapy is bracing, taping, and stretching, which are scientific principles to support athletes. But most people wonder how these work.
Let’s understand the science behind taping, bracing, and stretching in sports physiotherapy. Athletes, coaches, and practitioners can make more educated decisions about the use of these techniques if they have a better understanding of how they operate.
Taping: Proprioception and Support
In sports physiotherapy, taping is frequently used to improve proprioception—the body’s perception of movement and position—provide joint stability, and decrease swelling. Two primary kinds of tape are utilised:
Rigid (zinc oxide) tape: Often used to support joints, this tape prevents excessive movement and shields damaged muscles or ligaments. For instance, ankle taping is frequently used in football and basketball to restrict inversion and prevent injuries.
Kinesiology Tape: A flexible tape that simulates the suppleness of skin. It improves neuromuscular control by enabling movement and offering sensory feedback, in contrast to inflexible tape. According to studies, it might help promote lymphatic drainage, which would lessen edema.
Bracing: Mechanical Support in Injury Prevention
Braces are designed to strengthen athletes and their joints. It also helps in preventing risky motions. Most commonly, physiotherapists use this technique for chronic instability or after an accident. Some advantages include:
- Structural Support: If you choose braces like knee sleeves, ankle stabilisers, they provide mechanical reinforcements that effectively reduce strain on weak and vulnerable joints.
- Proprioceptive Enhancement: Braces, like taping, increase joint awareness and lower the chance of re-injury by stimulating sensory receptors.
- Controlled Movement: Controlled movement is needed to preserve healing tissues and offer safe mobility to athletes. It incorporates using post-operative braces, like the ACL braces, for restricted range of motion.
According to studies, bracing in physiotherapy in Laverton acts as a powerful tool in helping with patellofemoral discomfort and preventing frequent ankle sprains. These braces must be used cautiously as they may cause you to rely on them, decreasing your natural dependency on muscle activity.
Stretching: Increasing Flexibility and Lowering the Risk of Injury
A key element of sports physiotherapy, stretching promotes circulation, muscular healing, and flexibility. There are two main categories:
Static Stretching: Static stretching in holding a stretch for approximately 20-30 seconds. It’s done after a workout to enhance flexibility without compromising your performance.
Dynamic Stretching: Active motions that resemble acts particular to a sport, such as lunges and leg swings, are known as dynamic stretching. Because it gets muscles ready for explosive actions, it’s perfect for warm-ups.
Combining Bracing, Stretching, and Taping in Sports Physiotherapy
Based on individualised needs, the best strategy to implement sports physiotherapy in Williams Landing incorporates the blend of these three techniques –
- For acute injuries, bracing or taping provides prompt assistance.
- Rehabilitation: Restoring mobility requires a gradual return to stretching.
- Prevention: Proprioceptive taping and dynamic stretching lower the chance of injury.
Once you understand the science behind these three techniques in physiotherapy, you can help athletes maximise their performance while lowering the risk of injuries. Speak to a professional physiotherapist if you need further detailed assistance.
Noble Physio Care specialises in sports physiotherapy, offering health assistance to athletes. Whether you want help with injury prevention, rehabilitation, or quick recovery, we can help. Call us at 1300 064 148 for a quick call today!