Dynamic Tape

What is Dynamic Tape? Dynamic Tape is a unique, strongly elastic tape developed by an Australian Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist which is used in the treatment of many sporting, musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. Here at Progressive Physiotherapy we have been trained in the use of Dynamic tape for use with our patients.

What are the advantages of Dynamic Tape?

Dynamic Tape allows the wearer to move through full range of motion without limitation but with strong biomechanical assistance. Dynamic Tape can strongly assist or resist movement, facilitate or inhibit and offload tissue through full range of motion. This is only possible due to the highly elastic nature and four way stretch necessary when taping multi joint muscles or movements and performing complex, three-dimensional skills.

Dynamic Tape is extremely soft to touch and is highly conformable. It has a strong adhesive which has been independently tested and rated as non-sensitizing, non-irritating and non-toxic. The fabric is highly breathable, allowing water in to wash the skin but dries quickly. The result is a well tolerated, long lasting tape that is quite possibly the most comfortable athletic tape on the market.

How does the tape work?

In many cases the tape is applied in such a way that it mimics the action of the injured muscle or tendon. The tape is placed on the body with the muscle or joint in the shortened position and with stretch on the tape. As the muscle or joint lengthens, the tape is stretched further and thereby absorbs load just as a bungee cord decelerates the jumper, absorbing load. This reduces the eccentric work of the muscles.

Once full range is reached, the absorbed energy is stored in the form of elastic potential energy. As the muscle or joint begins to shorten, the energy is released back into the biomechanical chain as kinetic energy, thereby assisting the concentric action of the muscle. This results in decreased workload and improved biomechanical efficiency of the musculo-tendinous unit, decreased metabolic demand and improved tolerance to fatigue.

Reducing load may result in less pain, better healing (can load sooner resulting in functional stress and better scar formation), improved endurance and performance. Dramatic improvements in circulation and lymphatics have also been observed. There are a number of mechanical and physiological mechanisms that are likely to contribute.