MATCH P🎾INT

Well, it’s that time of year and the French Open is upon us. I hope everyone is tuning in and catching a glimpse of some of the worlds best tennis superstars! Tennis is a great sport played by millions of recreational players at all age levels and is popular worldwide. So if you have never tried it yourself or even watched a match, now is your time to get in the game!

Tennis is a physically demanding sport that requires patience and training. It’s a technical sport that may not be for everyone, but does have a great many health and fitness benefits. Perhaps its time to introduce tennis into your repertoire of activities, as tennis works ALL the major muscle groups while incorporating aerobic exercise too! It’s a great way to get fit and also increase one’s flexibility and eye-hand coordination…..sounds like the perfect sport to us!

Now while tennis may not be a contact sport, that does not mean it doesn’t come without a risk for injury. In fact, tennis is a fast paced sport and players can face a variety of injuries. As with all sports activities, there are precautions that can be taken but at some point in time a tennis player will more than likely become injured and the need for rehabilitation will be ever so important.

Here is a closer look at a few of the most common types of injuries in the tennis arena and the importance of rehabilitation with an experienced physical therapist.

1. Tennis Elbow ~ is one of the most common causes of elbow pain that occurs over time from repeated use of the wrist, arm and forearm muscles. Additionally, poor form and/or technique is also a contributing factor.

2. Shoulder Injuries ~ are another common concern and usually occur as a result of repetitive overhead motion of the arm like in serving. This motion is unnatural and often forces the joint beyond its typical limits allowing the shoulder to become susceptible to injury.

3. Muscle Strains ~ these occur quite often due to the sudden, quick movements required of players. Simply put the physical nature of tennis puts muscles under a tremendous amount of pressure.

4. Stress Fractures ~ are small cracks in a bone that often result from repetitive movements and overuse. All bones are susceptible to stress fractures. The continual running, jumping and quick movement changes, combined with muscle fatigue allows players bones to become susceptible to stress fractures.

5. Knee & Ankle Injuries ~ the rapid change in direction and pace during the game places a tremendous amount of strain on the knees and ankles. This strain can further lead to injuries and tears of the tendons, ligaments and cartilage.

Now while no one likes to be injured, the events are often unforeseen and inevitable over time. So if you have sustained injury like some of the ones listed above, or any tennis related injury for that matter, its essential to obtain proper care and treatment. Physical Therapists are one of the first lines of support in the game, so why not contact us today to see what we can do for you!

Physical Therapists are experts in movement and there is nothing more important than getting a tennis player back in the game….quickly and safely! Here at Actify Physiotherapy we specialize in treating athletes with various types of complex injuries, especially those in the game of Tennis ;) Contact us to learn more, and let us put the power back in your serve!