Finger and hand injuries are common in contact sports, like volleyball and basketball.
But they can also occur in other activities like skiing, biking and skating when one or more fingers bend in the wrong direction. Such injuries may also occur due to accidents involving collisions with objects or other people.
Fortunately, there is an easy way to deal with such injuries, which involves using finger tape. Applying finger tape to the injured fingers can help relieve pain while supporting the affected muscles. But many people do not know how to use finger tape effectively, and incorrect application can worsen the injury.
That’s why we’ve decided to share this guide here, which explains how to use finger tape correctly. This will help prevent the situation from worsening so you can recover from the injury in no time.
So, let’s begin!
Finger Taping Techniques
Different taping techniques are used due to the varying nature of injuries.
1. Taping A Sprained Finger
An injury to the finger base can cause a finger sprain, which can be treated using finger-taping. This is the point where the finger connects to the metacarpal bones of the hand and is known as the metacarpophalangeal(MCP) joint.
In this technique, a strip of tape is cut and taped around the entire wrist, followed by another smaller strip taped around the base of the sprained finger. Another piece of tape should reinforce the second piece of tape, and finally, you should wrap a larger piece of tape around the wrist. This will prevent the finger from bending or moving and help accelerate the healing process.
2. Taping A Finger To Prevent Bending
This technique will prevent bending of the finger joint and is suitable for injuries that require the finger to be in a straight position. In this case, you need to take a piece of tape and apply it in a criss-cross manner over and below the joint to prevent it from moving.
First, wrap the tape around the finger where the injured joint is located and then bring it back across the joint from below in a straight position. Once the tape is above the finger, cross it again at the joint line before wrapping it up. This will prevent the finger from bending, keeping the joint still so it can heal effectively.
3. Taping Fingers To Prevent Straightening
This is the most effective taping technique if the finger has been sprained by bending it too far back. In this situation, the first thing to do is to get the patient to bend the injured finger slightly, so it is not completely straight.
Then, apply a piece of tape at the top of the joint, near the finger base, and cross it from below as you move forward. As you bring the tape upwards, cross it again from the top while moving back towards the starting point. Finally, wrap it at the same point where you first applied the tape.
4. The Finger Buddy Taping Technique
The finger buddy taping method is among the most commonly used techniques for helping finger injuries heal faster. It can be used for a sprained finger and can help protect the phalangeal joint between the fingers by preventing finger movement. In this method, two fingers are generally taped together.
Generally, a one-inch zinc oxide non-stretch tape is used for the buddy taping technique, but it is better to use narrower pieces of tape for smaller fingers. For that purpose, you can tear wider pieces lengthwise to get thinner strips. Alternatively, a thin foam padding can be placed between the fingers.
Apply one strip of 1.25 cm non-stretch tape over the injured joint and another below. Once done, place the foam padding between the fingers and apply two more tape strips above and beneath the joint. This will allow the taped fingers to bend together while restricting lateral movement.
What Other Types Of Finger Tape Are There?
Finger tape is an often overlooked but vital aspect of combat sports, such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Due to this martial art’s grip-heavy nature, finger ligaments are incredibly stressed as practitioners grab onto their opponents' gis. This can lead to ligament damage from rotation or movement beyond the finger’s normal range of motion.
Finger tape provides support and stability to the finger ligaments, helping to prevent injuries. It also helps to absorb sweat and provides a better grip on the fabric, which can be helpful in completion sweeps, escapes, and submissions. For these reasons, finger tape is an essential piece of equipment for any Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner.
How To Wrap Your Fingers For BJJ
The easiest way to wrap your fingers is to put rings of tape above and below the joint you’re supporting. Instead of wrapping multiple times, use three layers of shorter lengths of tape. You want each piece of tape to overlap slightly. For smaller fingers, you may only need to use two layers of tape.
Experiment with different widths of tape to find the size that is most comfortable and supportive for you. The tape does not (and should not) completely cover the space between your knuckles.
Use the cross or "X" taping method for the most support. As the name suggests, you will create an "X" pattern around the joint to provide more protection.
Finger Tape: What You Need To Know
These were some of the most effective finger-taping methods for finger injuries. The proper technique is essential to minimise the movement and strain so that the injured area can heal faster.
Similarly, it is important to use the right type of tape for such injuries, and zinc oxide tape is generally the preferred option due to its high tensile strength. It is a good idea to try out the various taping techniques to get familiar with them before tending to your injuries. This will help you better understand the process and ensure better results.
Visit our store at MMA Factory to find finger tapes and other accessories for combat sports. And, to ensure you are geared up for training, check out our guide to the essentials for combat sports!
On that note, we shall be wrapping things up. Until next time!