When providing compression therapy, Elastic Bandages are the foundation of most treatments. In some cases, patients can be harmed if the care giver is not knowledgeable on the best practices for insuring a successful application. However, if the person wrapping the bandage follows these principles, the application will yield a much better result.

1. Be sure you are using the right size. Investigate the size of the sight where the bandage is to be applied. Using a bandage which is too large could be just as bad as using one too small.

2. Wash hands thoroughly after selecting the right size of bandage to use. Also, if possible, wash the area where the bandage will go. It could be a long time the bandage stays on, so cleanliness is important to protect from infection and skin irritation.

3. Inform the patient as to what is going to happen to reduce anxiety. You see, by explaining the procedure the patient is much more receptive to the compression therapy treatment you will administer.

4. Adjust the patient as to expose the body part which is to be treated. Make sure the patient is comfortable and stabilized to reduce the chances of causing more pain during the application of the bandage.

5. Prior to applying a new bandage it is very important to also inspect the skin after you take off the old bandage. Be sure there are no signs of skin irritation or apparent discomfort from the previous bandage. If all looks well, then proceed to the next step.

6. Position yourself directly in front of the body part you are going to wrap. Also, it might be a good idea to stabilize the area while wrapping unless the area is too sensitive.

7. After opening the elastic bandage from its protective casing, hold it so it faces upwards. Next apply a slight pull as you take two turns around the base of the limb. This helps to secure the bandage in place and reduce the chances it falls off later.

8. Continue rolling the bandage using the standard "figure 8" wrapping technique applying towards the trunk of the limb. This tactic will evenly distribute the pressure along the entire area the bandage covers.

9. It is important to make sure the bandage provides the right amount of pressure. No matter what, do not wrap the bandage too tight as this will cut off blood flow and cause even greater discomfort to the patient.

10. Continue all the way until the end of the roll is reached. This is where you may secure the end of the bandage with a veclro-style self closure, or perhaps use metal clips to hold the bandage in place.

A few other notes to keep in mind is making sure the quality of the bandage is up to par. Try using a bandage which is latex-free as this reduces allergies. Be sure you have decent quantity on hand, as you never know when you will run out.