Tennis Injuries ( 6 Pages of Injuries)
Back Pain:
How tennis causes back pain.
- Forehand and backhand shots require a large amount of rotation in the spine when playing tennis
- The tennis serve hyper-extends the lower back and can compress lumbar discs
- Back muscles must support continual sudden forward and lateral movements and start-and-stop motions during a game of tennis
Preventing back pain and sports injuries from tennis.
- Learn about the different racket tensions and be fitted by a professional for the proper tennis equipment; a more flexible tennis racket requires more trunk rotation than a stiffer tennis racket with looser strings
- Consider using a slice serve rather than a kick serve to reduce the degree of back arch when playing tennis
- Use proper form during tennis, bending the knees, holding in the abdominal muscles
- Have a tennis professional check your form periodically
- For new players, professional tennis instructors can teach you proper form and make suggestions on how to avoid back injuries, back pain or stress on the back
This condition often results from improper technique, particularly an arched posture during of the serve. Such postures cause stress to the small joints and soft tissues of the spine, a situation more critical in older players, who may develop stiffness and arthritis. Rest and ibuprofen are usually recommended.
