Mosby's Sports Therapy Taping Guide.

Kennedy R. St Louis, MO 63146, Mosby-Year Book Inc, 1995, paperback, 134 pp, illus, $14.95.

This text is designed as a step-by-step teaching manual for physical therapy or sports medicine practitioners who are at the novice level of athletic taping or wrapping. At the same time, it also serves as an excellent review for the experienced sports medicine practitioner. The text is illustrated throughout with clear, concise line drawings that take the reader through each step of the taping or wrapping process being described.

The text begins with a brief section on the purpose and principles of taping and wrapping, including suggestions on skin preparation and tape-removal procedures. Guidelines for the rehabilitation of athletes are offered as well as recommendations for contents of sports therapy team kits and sports therapist personal items. Chapter 1 begins with techniques for ankle taping and wrapping. Subsequent chapters cover techniques for taping various toe, ankle, and lower-leg conditions; knee joint and patella dysfunctions; thigh and hip conditions; and shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand techniques. A brief glossary is included at the end of the text, which may be helpful to the novice practitioner, and a small section of blank pages is provided for taking notes.

One of the primary weaknesses of this text is that it lacks references that document the efficacy of these techniques. Many of the techniques illustrated have been examined through research investigating their ability to provide support, decrease range of motion at an involved joint, or affect on athletic function. None of this material, however, was included. The experienced reader can only guess that the author may have felt that this level of information would be overwhelming for the entry-level practitioner.

Although this text adds nothing new to the library of the experienced sports medicine practitioner, it serves its overall purpose well. It is one of the most compact and clearly illustrated taping manuals available. Although it does not expand the current techniques of taping and wrapping, it provides a clear, easy-to-follow introduction to the techniques currently available. Therefore, I highly recommend this guide to students of physical therapy or sports medicine who are not already familiar with taping and wrapping applications.

Matthew E Sailors, PT, ATC
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD

Mr Sailors is Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy at the University of South Dakota, where he teaches courses on therapeutic modalities, spinal dysfunctions, and extremity orthopedics. His primary patient care interests include anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation and low back pain.