Tape or brace?
Question:
Just getting back to training from yet another injury,I've tried taping and bracing but i was wondering if one gave more support than the other,any help would be appreciated,thanx
Katie
Answers:
The answer to your question depends on the skill of the person doing the tape job. A really good tape job is best because it is unique to your ankle. A not so good tape job is rather worthless and then a brace is better. Really neither are all that good for you and should only be used as a last resort. So I take it that you have decided not to do physical therapy to rehab the ankle? By using tape of a brace to support your ankle you are weakening the muscles in your ankle that are responsible for balance. You are also losing some of your balance in the process. So, while your ankle will be more stable with the brace or tape on in athletics you are more vulnerable to spraining the ankle again and again with just normal activities where you are not wearing a brace or tape. The only time I recommend that people wear braces or tape is if their ankle is so unstable that no amount of strength and balance training is going to keep the ankle stable, or while currently doing physical therapy in the first 4 wks after the injury to allow proper healing.
Heck, do both. It's best to keep the ankle as immobile as possible. My fiance used tape and a brace when he twisted his.
I find that tape is a lot more comfortable when it comes to moving around. Say, in gymnastics.
If you're just running, or just doing something that doesn't require a lot of moving around, I'm not an expert but I would suggest a brace for that.
Ghetto wrap it!
3 or 4 sticks and a ripped up t-shirt, or duct tape.
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