How to Tape Wrists

A sprained wrist is a difficult thing to function with and can take weeks to heal if not handled properly. Therefore, if you sprain your wrist, it is important to tape it to limit its mobility, give it support and help with the overall healing process. A standard circular wrist wrap can be done in a matter of minutes and will provide your wrist with all of these things while still allowing you to use it in performing everyday tasks.

Things You'll Need

• Pre-wrap
• Athletic tape

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Instructions

• 1

  Start the pre-wrap about two inches below the wrist joint. Wrap it around the wrist by pulling it from the outside of the wrist to the inside of the wrist. With each wrap around, the pre-wrap should overlap itself half way. Work your way past the wrist joint to the heel of the hand.

• 2

  Spread the fingers on the injured hand.

• 3

  Start the athletic tape about two inches below the wrist joint -- at the same location where you started the pre-wrap. Wrap the tape by pulling it from the outside to the inside and work your way up the wrist to the heel of the hand. With each wrap around, the tape should overlap itself halfway. The tape should be applied with uniform pressure up the wrist.

• 4

  Work your way back down the wrist -- still overlapping halfway -- once you reach the heel of the hand. When you reach your starting tape location, rip or cut the tape to finish the wrist wrap.