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Taping is an essential part of any rehabilitation process and injury prevention, we use taping frequently for our clients to support their recovery and getting them back on track faster after their setbacks. 

What benefit does taping have?

Taping aims to help provide extra support and structure to injured or inflamed joints. 

This can help with your recovery process as it takes unwanted pressure from the affected area and allows fluent movement to happen in desired directions. On the other hand, it can also limit movement, preventing already existing strains or stretched ligaments and reduce other soft tissues from being overworked and over-stretched. Taping is also proven to be used as pain relief for a lot of patients, this can lead to improving their confidence to get back into routine and within the fitness regime. 

Is there more than one type of taping?

Yes, there are three main types of taping, and they relate to the different materials used and their functions.

Rigid Tape – This form of tape is a rough texture and provides a heap of support. This tape is generally used to reduce movement and can be used to ‘guide’ joint movement to enhance stability to allow the client to participate in desired activities. 

Kinesiology Tape – commonly known as ‘KT Tape’. This tape provides support to soft tissue, especially for muscle and ligament damage. It works directly by replicating similar movements through its elastic texture. KT tape isn’t designed to be as supportive as rigid tape, it offers a lot more movement and flexibility which can be ideal during rehabilitation.  

Elastic Taping – Is a much lighter and elastic texture, it does provide significantly less support compared to rigid and KT taping. Elastic taping is favoured with clients who have to tape over long periods of time, and can also be used for light support day-to-day or when performing exercises that may aggravate a previous injury. 

Before you rush to purchase tape that YOU think will work for you, here’s what you can do:

  • Check in with your physio to can see what is recommended for YOUR injury
  • Allow your physio to teach you the most effective taping technique to increase your mobility and support 
  • We can recommend a tape that will best suit YOU
  • Develop a plan for your taping technique, and set specific goals for YOUR BODY. 

Elin, is an alumni of St. Edward’s University and holder of a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, furthered her academic journey by attaining a Doctor of Physiotherapy from Macquarie University in 2022.

Her passion for sports, particularly football (soccer), is evident in both her academic pursuits and personal endeavors. Specialising in the comprehensive well-being of athletes, Elin focuses on restoring them to peak performance while actively preventing future injuries.

Elin’s professional expertise is centered on musculoskeletal rehabilitation, with a specific emphasis on addressing and preventing knee injuries. Her approach integrates expert treatment with a commitment to educating and empowering patients, fostering their active involvement in enhancing their health and overall quality of life.

As an active participant in NPL football with SD Raiders, Elin brings firsthand experience and a profound understanding of the sport’s demands. Beyond the field, she extends her influence by contributing sports coverage over the weekends.

Christopher (Chris) Han graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy, and then completed the Doctor of Physiotherapy program at Macquarie University in 2018. Chris is currently undertaking his PhD at the University of Sydney and Institute for Musculoskeletal Health in the field of low back pain and is due to complete this in early 2024. 

Chris is currently an assistant Physiotherapist for the NRL Referees. Chris has previous experience as the head Physiotherapist at Panthers Premier League Netball and a number of elite sporting athletes in the private setting.

Through Chris’ experiences, he has a particular interest in all areas of the body and musculoskeletal physiotherapy, sports, vestibular rehabilitation, and Men’s Health (pre and post prostate surgery).

Suzanne graduated from Western Sydney University with a Bachelor of Health Science (Sports and Exercise Science) in 2015. She then went on to continue her studies at Macquarie University graduating from the Doctor of Physiotherapy post-graduate degree in June 2019.

Since graduating, Suzanne has worked in the local Penrith area in both private practice and Sports Physiotherapy. Suzanne has worked with sporting teams including Penrith District Netball Association, Mt Druitt Rangers (NPL), Penrith Valley Figure Skating Club, and local dance and cheer schools. 

Suzanne has a particular interest in working with artistic athletes including cheerleaders and dancers. She has a professional background in both cheer and dance and has previously worked as both a cheer coach and dance teacher. Suzanne’s previous experiences are an invaluable resource to her as a physiotherapist, as she has a thorough understanding of the level of physical fitness and skill acquisition that these athletes must have in order to be successful on stage and in competition.

Suzanne’s other areas of clinical interest reside in lower limb musculoskeletal injuries, spinal pathologies and women’s health.

Nathanial graduated as a physiotherapist in 2012 which saw him work in private practice and hospital settings gaining experience in all areas of physiotherapy including hand therapy, splinting/casting, pre/post-operative care, Men’s Health and general musculoskeletal, occupational and sports physiotherapy. Since then he has gone on to complete further studies in physiotherapy enabling him to be the only dual titled Musculoskeletal, Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist in Penrith.

Nathanial has a strong background in sports physiotherapy achieving accreditation with NSWIS as a service provider and working with many elite sports teams.

Nathanial has a particular interest in working with elite athletes, complex cases and in particular assessment and management of knee, hip and shoulder pain.

Andrea graduated from the Australian Catholic University completing her Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science in 2018 and Master’s of Clinical Exercise Physiology in 2020. After graduating she attained accreditation with ESSA as an Exercise Physiologist.

During her studies she gained clinical experience in both hospital and private practice settings, in cardiac rehabilitation, neurological conditions, cancer and chronic musculoskeletal injuries.

Since working at Progressive, Andrea has a specialist interest in treating musculoskeletal injuries, helping people in the mid-late stage of rehab to get them to return to sport or work. As well as helping people manage chronic conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis and diabetes.