How to Tape an Injured Shoulder

Athletes who use their arms over and over during contact sports are susceptible to shoulder injuries. Taping an injured shoulder provides support and alleviates pain while the athlete continues to participate in the sport. Taping also helps prevent dislocation.

Things You'll Need

• Foam nipple ring
• ElastoWrap underwrap
• 38mm rigid strapping tape
• 75mm adhesive bandage

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Instructions

• 1

  Clean the skin surrounding the shoulder area with soap and water to remove any body oil. The tape will stick better to clean, dry skin.

• 2

  Position the shoulder at a 45 degree angle. Place a foam nipple ring over the nipple to prevent irritation while taping.

• 3

  Cover the skin with ElastoWrap to prevent irritation before applying the tape. Apply a strip of the 38mm strapping tape starting below the nipple going over the shoulder ending on the back and around the chest under the arm, starting below the nipple meeting up with the first piece on the back. Wrap one more piece of tape around the upper portion of the arm.

• 4

  Apply two or three strips of the 38mm tape from the shoulder to the arm. Apply the start of the tape at the top of the front of the shoulder going over the arm and ending on the back of the arm tape. Overlap the two or three strips of tape.

• 5

  Apply two or three strips of the 38mm tape in the opposite direction. Start from the top of the back and wrap around to the front of the arm tape. Overlap the two or three strips of tape. This will create an X on the upper arm.

• 6

  Apply two to three more strips of the tape over the original strips. Attach them from the nipple over the shoulder ending on the back, from the chest below the nipple around under the arm to the back and around the upper arm.

• 7

  Wrap the injury with the adhesive bandage. Start at the arm and wrap once around the upper portion of the arm, extending over the front of the shoulder and across the chest to the other side of the body, under the arm. Wrap the bandage around the other side of the body and along the back bringing it up around the injured shoulder again.

• 8

  Continue overlapping the bandage by using a figure-eight technique at the shoulder joint to increase stability and provide protection. Wrap at least three times around the body. Use a piece of strapping tape to secure the bandage in place.