Cho-Pat for Achilles Tendinitis
This simple technique makes it possible for you to continue your activities with an inflamed achilles. Ideally, you want to see your certified athletic therapist in the clinic to address the issues causing your achilles tenosynovitis but in a pinch, this cho-pat is a great support allowing you to stay in the game.
Horseshoe Ankle Wrap
This is like the deluxe or premium version of an ankle wrapping. Your medical provider will let you know when it's appropriate to use this application and the duration required for your injury rehab.
How to Properly Size & Walk with Crutches
Crutches can be intimidating to use however a properly fitted pair of crutches can reduce the likelihood of aches and pains in your arms, elbows, wrists and hands. There are also different techniques to walk with crutches depending on what your medical provider feels is appropriate for your current state.
How to Wrap Your Ankle with a Tensor Bandage
Always check for circulation when applying tape or a tensor to the body that wraps around a joint or limb! If the area being taped or wrapped starts to feel cold or turning bluish-purple then immediately remove your wrapping/tape, check circulation and try again.
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Lightly pressing the nail bed or gently pressing the skin (depends on where the support is being applied) to see if the color goes away and returns in 2 seconds or less to check for capillary refill.
How to Tape Your Sprained Ankle
There are many fabricated devices ready to use for ankle sprains. However, nothing beats the superior advantage of having your sprained ankle taped securely using athletic tape with the tape fitting perfectly to your skin.
Whether it's a brace or taping, make sure that there aren't any wrinkles, extra materials, pressure points or spots cutting into your foot/ankle and double check to make sure before and after any application that there is good blood flow to the area by pressing the nailbed or skin to see that colour has return quickly. If blood flow returns slowly, the area is pale/blue/white/grey, best to remove your application and start over since the current support is too tight.
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There two videos on how to use a tape cutter a.k.a. shark in the sports medicine world for therapists. Flip the tape cutter upside down and you'll see that it looks like a shark (might as well have some fun while working long hours in the field)! Sharks are extremely helpful since they zip (zip cutters are another name) through the many layers of tape quickly but it helps if you know what to do whether you're using the shark on yourself or helping someone else escape from the thick layers of tape.
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*Video pending for how to tape your sprained ankle​
Taping vs. Wrapping Your Wrist
Here are some various ways to tape and wrap your wrist including foam blocks to limit moving in painful ranges of motion.
How to Tape Your Thumb
I'm not a fan of the pigtail technique for the reason that the tape tends to cut into the thumb which would mean that I have to adjust/modify that tape job and not me as efficient. One of my classmates from university showed me this technique (which was pass onto them by AT students in their final year of the program).
Buddy Splint for Fingers & Toes
This may seem like it's an intuitive tape job but I've taping applications that have worsened the issue, caused bruising from too much pressure holding the area together.
How to Wrap a Boomerang Brace
If you're going to purchase a prefabricated wrist wrap, you can't go wrong with the boomerang brace. It's made of a wetsuit material so it can get wet. It has a little bulk from the material but it won't stretch. There's a proper opening for your thumb which is superior to others with a flimsy loop to anchor the brace to your thumb.
How to Wrap Your Groin: Reduce Hip Abduction
This technique is common for individuals playing hockey, soccer, rugby, ultimate frisbee, etc. You will need the proper supplies for this application to be effective.
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1 roll x High quality or mid-grade groin wrap - 6.0" x 11 yards
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1 roll x Lightplast Pro (elastic tape) - 3.0" x 7.5 yards
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1 roll x Renfrew #188 Bleached - 1.5" x 15 yards
Supply List
How to Wrap Your Groin: Reduce Hip Adduction
Here's the opposite version of the hip spica technique from above.
Supply List
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1 roll x High quality or mid-grade groin wrap - 6.0" x 11 yards
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1 roll x Lightplast Pro (elastic tape) - 3.0" x 7.5 yards
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1 roll x Renfrew #188 Bleached - 1.5" x 15 yards
Alternative Shoulder Sling
This simple design uses one triangular bandage to hold the fractured/injured arm/shoulder. If you don't have a triangular bandage, you could supplement the technique with a neck tie or long fabric. Triangular bandages are meant to be single use but may be reused which is why the triangular bandage in the video appears to be narrow.
Supply List
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1 roll x High quality or mid-grade groin wrap - 6.0" x 11 yards
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1 roll x Lightplast Pro (elastic tape) - 3.0" x 7.5 yards
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1 roll x Renfrew #188 Bleached - 1.5" x 15 yards
Shoulder Spica - How to Wrap Your Shoulder for Continued Activity
Prophylactic support can help an individual continue with their activities by limiting movement in painful ranges while holding the joint snuggly from the external compression.
Some prefabricated devices / supports may be expensive or simply not accessible. Wrapping your shoulder can help you continue with your activities. This may also be an option to consider if the individual requiring shoulder support is unable to tolerate adhesive on their skin.
First Aid Shoulder Sling
Why it's handy to have a triangular bandage in your first aid kit.