The use of taping and bandaging is very beneficial in preventing injury or further injury in softball. From taping one's knees to taping one's shoulder, taping and bandaging decreases the changes of further injury. The three main ways taping and bandaging are used are:
- To prevent an injury
- To isolate an injury, and
- For immediate treatment of an injury
Preventative Taping
Athlete's who are at risk to injury can use preventative taping to prevent injury. Support is given when taping. Usually, this type of taping is used at the joints to strengthen them and reduce hyperextension. In softball, taping the knees, shoulders and elbows could prove beneficial. Taping one's knee to reduce the pain of knee arthritis and prevent further injury is an example of preventative taping. This style of taping to the knee will allow a player with knee arthritis to continue playing, however the risk of further injury is still there but reduced.
Taping for Isolation of Injury
When an injury has occurred, taping to isolate that injury is needed if play is to condition. For example, when one has shoulder tendonitis, taping can prove affective as it will strengthen the shoulder and reduce risk of hyper extending the arm. The range of motion of the shoulder will be controlled and maintained. Taping an injured site does not mean it is fixed. It merely means that the limb can continued to be used but there will be restrictions due to pain and reducing the risk of further injury.
Bandaging for Immediate Treatment of Injury
Bandaging is used in situations of immediate need for first aid. As part of the RICER regime, compression involves bandaging. Bleeding needs to be controlled and the injured site needs compression to reduces swelling and the risk of further injury. Soft tissue injuries need compression but hard tissue injuries may also need bandaging as the skin may break and bleeding may occur. Even hard tissue injuries, such as spondylolysis, can require immediate taping to prevent further injury to the spine.