From foot speed to arm strength and hand-eye coordination, tennis requires full-body participation and accuracy. Unfortunately, many tennis injuries are caused by overuse and insufficient recovery from training, causing long-lasting pain and chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
At SPARK Physiotherapy, we work with tennis players from the top down, assessing all aspects of movement to correct the deficiencies that are getting in your way. Our tennis fitness and development program combines injury recovery and prevention, giving you the training you need to play at the top of your game. Please fill out our online contact form to learn more about our tennis physical therapy and conditioning program.
Personalized Tennis Physical Therapy Programs
Our sports medicine professionals know how to work with athletes who don’t want to spend any extra time off the court. We emphasize proper conditioning and proper technique, helping professional and recreational tennis players overcome chronic conditions such as:
- Tennis elbow. Pain or a burning sensation on the outside of the elbow are symptoms of tennis elbow, a common overuse injury in racket sports players. As the tendons connecting the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow become inflamed, players may have trouble hitting the ball or even gripping the racket grip without pain.
- Rotator cuff injury. Serving and returning the ball requires much rotary power in the shoulder, leading to gradual tears in the rotator cuff. Players often suffer pain and tenderness in the shoulder and the eventual inability to lift the affected arm.
- Stress fractures. Minor hairline fractures develop due to repeated trauma on certain bones, including the feet, hands, and spine. The constant bending and twisting in tennis can stress the vertebrae, resulting in pain in the lower back. Tennis courts with hard surfaces are more likely to cause minor fractures in the feet from landing after a jump or rising onto the toes. Lack of muscle development in the forearms and wrists can place too much stress on the hands and fingers, leading to sudden trauma or stress fractures.
- Tendonitis. Tendonitis can occur in any tendon in the body, but tennis players are most likely to feel it in their knees (jumper’s knee) or heels (Achilles tendonitis). The patellar tendon attaches the kneecap to the shinbone and absorbs the impact of repeated jumping and landing, while the Achilles tendon at the back of the heel allows players to jump and rise on their toes.
- Ankle sprains. Tennis players can move in several directions in a matter of seconds, placing them at high risk of turning their ankles. Landing or rolling onto the side of the foot can cause pain, bruising, stiffness, swelling, and instability in the ankle.
Tennis Conditioning and Development
If your game isn’t as tight as it used to be, our therapists and trainers work together to find the training program that allows you to play your best while avoiding injuries that can take you out of the game. Our tennis conditioning starts with a full assessment to identify critical factors affecting your performance, then zeroing in on those areas for effective results.
Our tennis training program includes the following:
- Total body strength, swing, and flexibility analysis
- Agility work to increase foot speed and direction changes
- Tennis-specific exercises to focus on explosive speed and powerful shots
- Improving range of motion starting at the neck and shoulders all the way to the ankles
- Strengthening the core and back muscles to minimize back pain and aid stability
- Increasing stamina and joint flexibility in both the lower and upper body
Schedule Your Tennis Fitness Assessment Today
If you’re tired of hobbling home after a game or want to play your best in an upcoming tournament, our tennis fitness and training professionals are ready to help. Book your tennis assessment today or call 703-329-0181 to learn more.
