Tennis Shoulder Support
One of the most common injuries among tennis players is of the shoulder. The shoulder is made up of multiple joints, tendons, and muscles, which allows a wide range of motion and arm strength. However, actions that involve repetitive arm motions, such as overhand tennis serves, can irritate and inflame the shoulder, making movement difficult.
If your injury is severe, like that of a rotator cuff tear or shoulder dislocation, it will be impossible to lift your arm or carry an object. You may feel acute pain and even see visible swelling around the affected area. You may also find it difficult to apply force to your injured shoulder, or to move it in circular motions.
If these symptoms do not disappear, you should consult your GP, and they will examine the condition of your shoulder by asking you to move or rotate it. Your GP or doctor may also recommend you take imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or an MRI to fully understand the severity of the injury.
These scans will help evaluate the degree of the injury, and help determine whether surgery is required or not. As well as this, non-operative treatments, like resting, physical therapy, and a rehab program, should also be taken to heal shoulder injuries from tennis.
Appropriate tennis protective equipment, like elbow and shoulder guards, can help prevent injury and pain. Always try to have good posture while playing tennis and do mild exercises before playing, as this can help strengthen the rotator cuff, which will stabilise and improve shoulder rotation.
At 360 Relief, we have a wide collection of shoulder braces and supports that help protect your shoulders and ease pain. They come in a variety of different colours, sizes, and styles that suit your preferences. They also help provide extra support during recovery or post-surgery rehab, and are ideal for preventing recurring injuries.
The following are the most common shoulder problems tennis players can experience on the court:
- Shoulder Impingement
- Superior Labral (SLAP) Lesions
- Rotator Cuff Damage
- Acromioclavicular Damage
Glenohumeral instability and impingement syndrome are the most common causes of shoulder damage while playing tennis. These causes result in shoulder pain, especially during overhead strokes and serves.
Your GP or healthcare professional performs a physical checkup to diagnose the common symptoms. However, they also take an impingement test to diagnose the severe symptoms.
Shoulder support helps increase stability proprioception and moisture-wicking medical-grade compressions, reducing the chances of tennis injuries. The medical-grade compression helps muscles activate, resulting in greater blood flow to speed up recovery and delay muscle soreness.
To avoid tennis shoulder, experts suggest the following preventive measure:
- Avoid using wet tennis balls
- Use proper equipment, including correct size racket and tennis footwear
- Wear shoulder supports appropriately
- Warm up your body before playing
- Cool down your body after playing