Taping

Term from Physical Therapy industry explained for recruiters

Taping is a treatment method used in physical therapy where special adhesive tape is applied to patients' bodies to support muscles, reduce pain, or assist movement. It includes different approaches like athletic taping (using firm tape for stability) and kinesiology taping (using elastic tape for muscle support). This skill is important in sports medicine, rehabilitation, and general physical therapy practice. Physical therapists use taping as part of a comprehensive treatment plan to help patients recover from injuries, prevent further injury, or improve their physical performance.

Examples in Resumes

Provided therapeutic treatment including Taping and Athletic Taping for sports injury patients

Specialized in Kinesio Taping techniques for chronic pain management

Applied Taping methods to support patient recovery in post-surgical rehabilitation

Typical job title: "Physical Therapists"

Also try searching for:

Physical Therapist Sports Therapist Athletic Trainer Sports Medicine Specialist Rehabilitation Specialist Physical Therapy Assistant

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you determine which taping technique is most appropriate for different conditions?

Expected Answer: A senior PT should explain how they assess patient conditions, consider contraindications, and choose between different taping methods based on the specific injury, patient activity level, and treatment goals.

Q: How do you train junior staff in proper taping techniques?

Expected Answer: Should discuss their teaching methodology, importance of hands-on demonstration, common mistakes to avoid, and how they ensure quality and consistency in taping application across their team.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What are the key differences between athletic taping and kinesiology taping?

Expected Answer: Should explain that athletic tape is more rigid and typically used for stability, while kinesiology tape is elastic and used for muscle support and pain relief, with examples of when to use each.

Q: How do you modify taping techniques for different body types or skin sensitivities?

Expected Answer: Should discuss adapting tape tension, using different tape types, considering skin preparation, and monitoring for adverse reactions.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the basic steps for applying athletic tape to an ankle?

Expected Answer: Should describe skin preparation, proper positioning, anchor strips, stirrups, and figure-8 patterns, demonstrating knowledge of basic taping principles.

Q: What are the contraindications for taping?

Expected Answer: Should identify situations where taping should not be used, such as open wounds, skin infections, or certain allergies to tape adhesive.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic athletic and kinesiology taping techniques
  • Understanding of common injury patterns
  • Basic patient assessment
  • Knowledge of tape types and their uses

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Advanced taping techniques for various body parts
  • Modification of techniques for different conditions
  • Patient education about taping benefits
  • Proper documentation of taping interventions

Senior (5+ years)

  • Expert level taping for complex conditions
  • Training and supervising others in taping techniques
  • Development of taping protocols
  • Integration of taping with comprehensive treatment plans

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Unable to explain basic taping principles
  • No hands-on experience with different types of tape
  • Lack of knowledge about contraindications
  • Poor understanding of anatomy and injury patterns
  • No certification or formal training in taping techniques