The majority of tennis players will experience an injury at some point in their careers, whether they play professionally or for fun. Although you can take steps to prevent damage, such as warming up and cooling down effectively, sometimes injuries can’t be prevented.
How a Physio Treatment Returns you Back to Action on the Court in a Short Time
If you’ve experienced a sudden injury while playing tennis, you’ll likely know that the recommended course of action is PRICER (protection, rest, ice, compression, elevation and rehabilitation). But what does that final step look like for those who have a tennis injury?
Common Tennis Injuries
There are some injuries that tennis players are more prone to incurring, due to the movements required of them on the court. Between 40% and 50% of all tennis players will experience tennis elbow at some point in their lifetime, which is the informal name given to lateral epicondylitis. This is when the tendons that join your forearm muscle to your elbow become inflamed. You may find your grip is weaker, and you may also experience burning pains in the affected area.
Another common tennis injury is an ankle sprain. As you run around on the court, you risk stepping down awkwardly and twisting or stretching the ligaments in your ankle. You may experience swelling, bruising and stiffness with an ankle injury.
How Visiting a Physiotherapist Can Help You Recover
For any tennis related joint injury, it’s important to receive adequate treatment. This is where rehabilitation is key, as painkillers will only get you so far.
You can request physio treatment to speed up your recovery time. A physiotherapist will examine your injury and recommend a suitable program of treatment. The therapist may suggest manipulative joint therapies, which is a manual technique aimed at reducing pain and stiffness in a particular area. Massages can also be prescribed for a therapeutic effect.
It will be important for you to return to using the joint normally, which can be achieved through exercise management. Your physiotherapist will teach you stretching and strengthening exercises that target your tennis injury. You will be expected to complete this routine regularly at home for maximum recovery.
Depending on your level of injury, you’ll be prescribed a mixture of passive and active exercises. It will be important for you to return to your physiotherapist so that he or she can determine the effectiveness of the program and suggest more challenging exercises as your injury improves.
Your tennis injury shouldn’t keep you off the court for long. By seeking help from a reputable physiotherapist, you’ll soon be back to playing the game you love.
Sources:
5 Common Tennis Injuries and 4 Ways to Prevent Them, MichaelGleiberMD.com
Phys Ed: How to Fix a Bad Tennis Shoulder, Well.Blogs.NYTimes.com
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