THE FOOT

The foot is made up of several bones, tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges. The Arches of the foot are the medial and lateral longitudinal, and transverse metatarsal arches. Pain in the foot (ie. Plantarfascitis) the lower leg (“shin splints”), knee (ie. PFPS), hip, and back may be related to a loss of one of these arches. The arch which is most often a problem is the medial longitudinal arch. More often than not the medial longitudinal arch is flattened out (pes planus). The loss of this arch will lessen the shock absorption ability of the arch thus transferring the forces of walking, running, jumping, to other structures (plantar fascia, intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the foot, the ankle, knee and hip joints, and even the lower back). The following two taping techniques aid in producing the arches in the foot. Often they are used to test to see if a foot orthotics is needed. The tape jobs may also be used to help alleviate symptoms and allow for the healing process to proceed.

LOW DYE TECHNIQUE

PURPOSETo reduce strain on the plantar fascia and medial longitudinal arch

POSTION

Sitting with leg extended over the edge of the table. The foot is relaxed (plantar flexed)

MATERIAL1.5” adhesive tapeTape adherent – highly recommendedHeel and lace pad with skin lube – may be requiredRubatex medial arch support – for added support

APPLICATION

ANCHORS Place two anchors around

the metatarsal heads. Before closing off the tape “splay” the foot by pressing up on the lateral/plantar side of the foot

Not necessarily required. Application of heel

and lace pad over the Achilles insertion site. Some therapists prefer to use other products like Hypafix to prevent friction on the posterior calcaneous

STIRRUPS

Tape is applied to the lateral border of the foot starting at the head of the fifth metatarsal wrapping around the posterior calcaneous (not over Achilles) to the head of the first metatarsal.

While applying the tape to the head of the first metatarsal apply flexion to the big toe, while supporting the head of the 2 second metatarsal. This helps create the longitudinal arch.

Repeat this process two to three more times overlapping the tape by half.

Anchor the stirrups around the heads of the metatarsals. Don’t forget to splay the foot

SUPPORT STRIPS Starting at lateral side of the

stirrup, overlap the anchor by half

wrapping under the foot to the medial side of the stirrup

Splay the foot Firmly pull the tape up on the

medial side and apply the tape to the medial side of the stirrup

Repeat this procedure towards the heel

CLOSING OFF Apply another stirrup around

the foot and anchor this stirrup around the metatarsal heads

Apply tape to the medial side of the stirrup pull the tape from medial to lateral over the top of the foot

Repeat procedure up the foot Have person stand and walk. If

the tape job feels too tight loosen the closing strips on the top of the foot

NOTE: Applying a rubatex arch support to the medial arch when applying the support strips will aid in supporting the medial longitudinal arch

BASKET WEAVE TECHNIQUE

PURPOSETo reduce strain on the plantar fascia and medial longitudinal arch

POSTION

Sitting with leg extended over the edge of the table. The foot is relaxed (plantar flexed)

MATERIAL1.5” adhesive tapeTape adherent – highly recommendedHeel and lace pad with skin lube – may be required

APPLICATION

ANCHORS Place an anchor around the

metatarsal heads. Before closing off the tape “splay” the foot by pressing up on the lateral/plantar side of the foot

Not necessarily required. Application of heel and lace pad

over the Achilles insertion site. Some therapists prefer to use other products like Hypafix to prevent friction on the posterior calcaneous

STIRRUPS Tape is applied to the lateral

border of the foot starting at the head of the fifth metatarsal wrapping around the posterior calcaneous (not over Achilles) to the head of the first metatarsal.

While applying the tape to the head of the first metatarsal apply flexion to the big toe, while supporting the head of the 2 second metatarsal. This helps create the longitudinal arch.

Repeat two to three more times overlapping the tape by half.

BASKET-WEAVE STRIPS

Split the tape in half (for a larger foot a regular 1.5” roll of tape is used). Start tape at the lateral side of the first metatarsal head pull down the length of the foot,

Around the calcaneous, up through the sole of the foot (apply tension during this), back to the starting point.

Repeat this process starting on the lateral side applying tension when the tape passes through the sole of the foot

Repeat this process overlapping each strip by half, criss-crossing back and forth

CLOSING

Close of the tape job by applying one to two Stirrups and one to two anchors around the metatarsal heads.

NOTE:

Combining the Basket Weave Technique and the Low-dye technique is very effective. After closing off the Basket Weave technique, continue by applying the SUPPORT STRIPS and CLOSING OFF strips from the Low-dye technique.