How to Tape Your Shoulder for Stability

Shoulder taping is used to treat and prevent shoulder injuries -- such as a dislocated shoulder or acromioclavicular joint sprain -- sustained during sports or other activity. Effective taping supports and stabilizes the shoulder joint and reduces stress and strain on surrounding ligaments. Since taping prevents aggravation to existing injuries and lessens the risk of reinjury, the treatment can allow an earlier return to sport or activity. The aim of taping is to reduce unnecessary or abnormal movement of joints so an adhesive, nonstretch sports tape should be used.

Things You'll Need

• Rigid adhesive sports strapping tape

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Instructions

• 1

  Stand with good posture and position the hand on the injured side on the hip.

• 2

  Tense the biceps and place a length of tape around the upper arm, starting from the rear, running up over the outside of the arm and back under to the starting position. Wrap the tape firmly but gently to prevent circulation problems.

• 3

  Place another length of tape running from the center of the shoulder blade, up over the top of the shoulder and down to the chest. The strips applied in steps 2 and 3 are known as anchors.

• 4

  Add a rotational line of tape, starting at the back of the upper arm anchor (applied in Step 2), running diagonally up the arm, over the outside of the shoulder and diagonally down across the upper chest to join the shoulder blade-to-chest anchor (applied in Step 3).

• 5

  Add a further one or two rotational lines, each slightly overlapping the previous one, for additional support (optional).

• 6

  Add a straight line of tape, starting at the upper arm anchor, running up the outside of the arm and finishing at the highest point of the shoulder blade-to-chest anchor.

• 7

  Add a further one or two straight lines, each slightly overlapping the previous one, for additional support (optional).

• 8

  Add a length of tape starting at the outside of the upper arm anchor and running horizontally across the arm and chest to meet the shoulder blade-to-chest anchor. Add a second length of tape starting at the front of the upper arm anchor and running diagonally up the arm to join the shoulder blade-to-chest at its highest point on the shoulder. The two lengths of tape should form a cross shape at the front of the shoulder.

• 9

  Add a further one or two front crosses, each slightly overlapping the previous one, for additional support (optional).

• 10

  Apply another three straight lines following the directions described in Step 6.

• 11

  Repeat Step 2 to add a final upper arm anchor.

• 12

  Repeat Step 3 to add a final shoulder blade-to-chest anchor.