Scapular Taping in the Treatment of Anterior Shoulder Impingement

Abstract

The purpose of this case report is to describe how taping designed to promote proximal scapular stability was used in conjunction with other physical therapy interventions to manage a patient with anterior shoulder impingement. The taping technique is described in detail. The evaluation and treatment of a patient with an 8-month history of shoulder pain are described as an example of when this type of taping procedure may be indicated. This case report demonstrates that a patient was able to return to all of his regular overhead sports activities without pain following scapular taping used in combination with a home exercise program. Presumably, the improved resting position of the scapula corrected faulty scapulothoracic joint movements.

Scapular taping alters kinematics in asymptomatic subjects

“…The application of tape for the management and prevention of joint injury is 52 increasing in popularity in both orthopaedic [Christou et al, 2003, Lewis et al, 2005 53 and sports medicine [Bradley et al, 2009, Briem et al, 2011 ; taping of the shoulder 54 is now a frequently used adjunct to physical rehabilitation in post-injury management 55 [Host, 1995, Lewis et al, 2005 as well as a part of injury prevention strategies in 56 professional athletes [Bahr and Bahr, 1997, Callaghan, 1997, Kase, 2003 .…”

“…How taping achieves its 61 beneficial effects is also poorly understood; the literature presents a number of 62 hypotheses to explain the underlying mechanism of taping. It has been proposed 63 that taping enhances the muscle force produced by altering the length/tension 64 relationship of muscles [Host, 1995, Morrissey, 2000 . Another hypothesis is that 65 taping affects neuromuscular control [Alexander et al, 2008, De Pandis et al, 2010, 66 Lohrer et al, 1999 and results in an increased proprioceptive awareness [De 67 Pandis et al, 2010, Morrissey, 2000, Robbins et al, 1995.…”

“…Another possible mechanism is that taping increases joint stability via a 70 biomechanical realignment of the joints [Bennell et al, 2000, Host, 1995, Lewis et 71 al., 2005 and a restriction to the joint range [Bradley et al, 2009, McConnell et al] 72 and speed [Wilkerson, 2002] of motion.…”

“…There is limited information in the literature with regard to the effect of taping on 232 scapular kinematics [Host, 1995, Hsu et al, 2009. In a case study by Host (1995), …”

Uso del taping en el manejo clínico de sujetos con pinzamiento sub-acromial: revisión sistemática

“…También se ha reportado un aumento del rango de movimiento (35,38,(48)(49)(50)59), mejoras en el drenaje linfático (23,35,(60)(61)(62), movilidad escapular (63), soporte de mús-culos débiles (35,63) y corrección de desalineamiento articular (35,43,64). Por esto es que esta intervención es ampliamente utilizada en el campo de la rehabilitación como herramienta útil, tanto como un medio de tratamiento, como en la prevención de las lesiones deportivas (43,64,65).Actualmente, el uso del taping se está llevando a cabo como terapia paralela a la brindada por el fisioterapeuta, principalmente orientada a mantener la evolución alcanzada durante las intervenciones. Sin embargo, varios autores mencionan que la función de soporte del tape se pierde dentro de un tiempo relativamente corto después de su aplicación (68-70).…”