Those seeking shoulder therapy in Phoenix are usually athletes who play sports that are tough on their arms, such as tennis players. Two-thirds of tennis injuries are due to overuse of the shoulders, wrists, and elbows. Tennis fans can often avoid these injuries and physical therapy in Phoenix by learning more about proper form and changing their technique.
Here are some common tennis injuries and tips on how to prevent them:
- Tennis elbow is probably the most common tennis injury. It’s caused by overusing the arm, forearm, and hand muscles. The motion of bending and extending your elbow to move the racket and throw the tennis ball causes wear and tear. To minimize the possibility of getting tennis elbow, practice proper technique when serving and hitting, warm up before each session, and use weight training to strengthen your arms.
- Shoulder injuries are also often caused by overuse and weakness of the rotator cuff muscles. When your rotator cuff is tired or weak, the ball of your shoulder moves around more in the socket, irritating the tissues and causing overhead motions to be painful. To decrease pain and prevent problems that may require shoulder therapy in Phoenix, try using an exercise band to improve your upper body strength and flexibility.
- Stress fractures are common amongst young tennis players who participate in intense training. When your muscles are too tired to absorb the stress of your activity, the pressure often transfers to the bones. New players or athletes who have started training harder may not be accustomed this high impact, and the bones in their legs and feet can begin to crack under stress. Avoid fractures by building up your strength and endurance and wearing proper footwear while training.
- Muscle strains can occur with any sudden movement. Tennis players move quickly throughout play, so muscle strains are a common condition. Stretching and warming up your muscles before playing is the best way to avoid this injury. Take a few minutes before your match to walk around, slowly jog, or do jumping jacks to get your blood flowing. You can also swing your legs back and forth or stretch your arms across your body to get the muscles ready to work.
If you’ve already developed a shoulder injury or have any questions about preventing future ones, get in touch with Foothills Sports Medicine to learn more about physical therapy in Phoenix and get a treatment or training plan that’s right for your body.
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