At Woodside we often see a rise in tennis related injuries just post Wimbledon. Most tennis injuries are shoulder and elbow injuries and occasionally knees and ankle injuries. Common tennis injury causes:
Wrong sized racquet or grip
Poor stroke technique
Poor muscle conditioning and strength
Not stopping when injured
Prevention:
Start slowly and gradually
Get the right sized racquet and appropriate shoes for the type of surface the game is played on
Training to include muscle strengthening and conditioning to avoid fatigue
Get appropriate coaching for your level to avoid incorrect technique.
Warm up and cool down with the correct stretches. A warm-up will also improve the effectiveness of training and improve athletic performance.
After a tennis session, players need to take the time to properly cool-down and stretch. This helps sustain muscles and keep them flexible, which are both important parts of avoiding injuries
Stop when injured and do not play through the injury. Give the injury ample time to recover before playing again. If the injury does not settle ask your physiotherapist or osteopath for advice.
Tennis like most other sports, when played regularly provides physical, physiological, and psychological benefits. These benefits include, burning calories, reduction of blood pressure and reduction of stress. Tennis also improves your coordination and balance. Tennis boosts brain health because you need to stay focused, devise strategy and make split-second decisions. It also improves your mood and provides greater self-esteem and making people less anxious.
If you already have injuries or worries about your tennis elbow or your shoulder or back, please book an appointment to see one of Woodside Clinic's Osteopaths or Physiotherapists before the injury gets worse.