With the third round of the US Open matches underway, the competition is heating up. However, there is one prominent player missing from the court, Rafael Nadal. He announced earlier this month that a wrist injury would keep him from defending his title at the New York Grand Slam.
The intense physical nature of professional tennis can wreak havoc on the muscles, ligaments and joints. But common injuries are not exclusive to the pros. Sprained ankles, tennis elbow, calf strains, and shoulder pain are the most common injuries for tennis players both professional and amateur.
The best way to stay in the game and avoid painful injuries is to learn proper prevention techniques.
Tennis Injury Prevention
To avoid tennis elbow, pay close attention to technical components such as grip size and proper swing technique. Tennis elbow is caused by overusing muscles that extend the wrist or bend it backwards. These muscles are most used when the ball impacts the racquet. A regular warm-up routine before each match will help strengthen this muscle and decrease the likelihood of injury.
Shoulder injuries most often result from poor conditioning or weak rotator cuff muscles. When the rotator cuff muscles are weak or fatigued, the shoulder socket becomes stressed. This can lead to inflamed and painful tissue issues. Using a resistance band a few times a week to increase shoulder strength greatly reduces the chances of nagging shoulder pain.
Muscle strains can happen in any sport, but the sudden movements associated with the fast-paced play of tennis make them one of the most common tennis injuries. A good warm-up and proper stretching loosen up the muscles so that they aren’t stressed when the match starts. A proper warm-up can include a slow jog, jumping jacks, or practice swings. Proper stretches should be slow and deliberate. Make sure major muscle groups, like the quads, shoulders and back are thoroughly stretched both before and after a match.
Airrosti Treats Tennis Injuries
Whether you’re a high school protégé, a weekend amateur, or on your way to a Grand Slam title, Airrosti can help you stay on the court. Our providers emphasize quality one-on-one care with each patient. By thoroughly examining the injury, they are able to pinpoint the root cause of the pain and manually correct it quickly. In combination with active rehabilitation exercises, our patients are encouraged to stay active throughout their short treatment plan. Our focus on outcomes and exceptional patient care set us apart from the rest.
If a nagging injury has been keeping you off of the court, contact Airrosti today to set up an appointment with a provider near you.
Photo courtesy: “Rafael Nadal at the 2011 Australian Open14” by Christopher Johnson (globalite) – originally posted to Flickr as IMG_6940. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.