Achilles Tendon Taping

The following guidelines are for information purposes only. We recommend seeking professional advice before attempting any rehabilitation.

The purpose of this taping is to support the achilles tendon by not allowing it to over stretch.

What is required?

• Adhesive spray and under wrap (or shave your leg)
• 5cm wide stretch adhesive tape
• 3.5cm non stretch zinc oxide tape

Step 1:

• Apply under wrap tape onto sprayed legs or just shave the leg to enable the tape to stick and not take half your leg with it when you pull it off.
• Apply two 'anchor' 5cm stretch tapes above the bulk of the calf muscle and two around the mid foot.

Step 2:

• Lie face down with the lower leg supported to allow the foot to point slightly as shown below.
• Apply a strip of stretch tape from the foot anchor to the calf anchor applying slight stretch. Do not stick the tape to the tendon

Step 3:

• Apply another strip of stretch tape starting at the outside top of the calf anchor and going down and across the calf and under the heel. From here (the outside of the ankle), pass the tape up and across the calf to finish on the inside of the calf anchor.

Step 4:

• Finish off by applying a strip zinc oxide tape over the anchors to secure the ends.
• Do not pass this tape all the way around the calf or foot as it does not stretch when the calf muscle expands as it contracts.
• A third strip can be wrapped just above the ankle as shown to secure the vertical strips.