It is tennis season, and that means many unwanted injuries. Luckily, there are simple steps you can take to help reduce your risk of developing an injury this season.
Before your practice or game, you should always warm up. Do some exercises that get your heart rate up as well as some stretching exercises that target the shoulders, wrists, elbows, ankles, and more!
Having the right technique when it comes to swinging or gripping your racket, will help to prevent tennis injuries and allow you to play the game without exerting all of your energy.
Your tennis coach should teach you proper technique, but if not, you can look up pointers online or ask someone.
If you are feeling pain while you are practicing or playing tennis, don’t play through it. Playing with an injury will only make the injury more severe and the recovery longer and more difficult.
It is best to take a break, assess your pain, and determine if you need to see a physician.
Tennis players can suffer from injuries that affect the wrists, elbows, shoulders, ankles, and more. If you play tennis, here are some simple stretches you can try. If you are suffering from a tennis injury, be sure to speak to a physical therapist about a treatment plan.
These stretches can be done before or after playing tennis or when you are experiencing general pain.
Put your arm straight out in front of you with your fingers facing down and your palm facing away from your body. Pull your fingers towards your body with your other hand and hold this pose for 30 seconds. Repeat 2 times.
Stand in a doorway with your arms to the side. Make sure your arms are holding the sides of the doorway at shoulder height. Lean forward until you feel a stretch. Hold this stretch for 10-15 seconds.
Stand straight up with your arms at your side. Hold your left hand over your head touching your right ear and gently pull your head towards the left. Hold for 15-30 seconds and repeat on the other side. Repeat 2-3 times on each side.
If you have been injured playing tennis, seek help from a physical therapist near you. Our physical therapists treat patients in Nashville, Franklin, and Brentwood, TN.
Many of our physical therapists work with athletes of all levels, including tennis players. To schedule a physical therapy appointment, call us or request an appointment in our online form.
