Upper arm pain when I serve...

[MNAZ]

but only when I hit the ball...I can go through the serving motion without actually hitting the ball and have no pain. Pain is severe..if I play thru it it gets better as I play but forces me to serve kinda sidearm for several games with lots of pain. Pain is in upper arm higher than bicep or tricip...not on the shouldner.

I can make it hurt by placing my palm toward the ground and raising my arm to shouldner level...any ideas what this might be and exercises I can do to help it...thanks!

[mike53]

Probably some kind of soft tissue inflammation, probably caused by some kind of shoulder impingement. Could be a lot of different things. I have successfully rehabbed this kind of stuff using the "throwers 10" exercise program which I still do to this day:

http://www.asmi.org/SportsMed/media/thrower10.swf

Be sure to get a complete range of motion on all movements. If your pain prevents you from doing normal everyday activities or any special activities that are really important to you, then you need to see a doctor.

[MNAZ]

Originally Posted by mike53

Probably some kind of soft tissue inflammation, probably caused by some kind of shoulder impingement. Could be a lot of different things. I have successfully rehabbed this kind of stuff using the "throwers 10" exercise program which I still do to this day:

http://www.asmi.org/SportsMed/media/thrower10.swf

Be sure to get a complete range of motion on all movements. If your pain prevents you from doing normal everyday activities or any special activities that are really important to you, then you need to see a doctor.

I give the exercises a shot.

[charliefedererer]

Don't play or exercise with severe pain.

Ge it checked out by a sports medicine orthopod with a special interest in throwing athletes (pitchers, quarterbacks, tennis players.)

If the pain gets better, that thrower 10 exercise program posted by mike53 is the way to go to build up the muscles that stabilize the shoulder and brake the powerful forces generated in the serve.

Too many players have incorrect technique that causes an impingement when serving. As you come out of the "bow" towards ball strike, the upper body should tilt slightly to the left so the shoulder doesn't have to reach uppward at such a severe degree. Follow Jim McLennan's advice from this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTRvx...eature=related
A happy consequence of dipping the left shoulder and reaching up with the right is that your muscles are working at a mechanically much better angle, and not only will you help your shoulder, but you will serve better too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t6bLABbebc

If you are working on your serve technique, here are some potenitally helpful videos, so you will be serving with your whole body, and not just with your arm:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlPVdppfYGs
http://www.fuzzyyellowballs.com/vide...-when-serving/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpxF4M_bKZ4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bsYF...eature=related
http://www.essentialtennis.com/video...ve-comparison/
http://www.active.com/tennis/Article...Perfection.htm

Since the serve is so complicated, it's best to work with a pro or coach to make sure you have good technique.

Also, your shoulder can benefit from using a flexible frame and soft (natural gut or multifilament) strings. Using a flexible frame allows you to string less tightly, which is also good for your arm.

Good luck!

[MNAZ]

Originally Posted by charliefedererer

Don't play or exercise with severe pain.

Ge it checked out by a sports medicine orthopod with a special interest in throwing athletes (pitchers, quarterbacks, tennis players.)

If the pain gets better, that thrower 10 exercise program posted by mike53 is the way to go to build up the muscles that stabilize the shoulder and brake the powerful forces generated in the serve.

Too many players have incorrect technique that causes an impingement when serving. As you come out of the "bow" towards ball strike, the upper body should tilt slightly to the left so the shoulder doesn't have to reach uppward at such a severe degree. Follow Jim McLennan's advice from this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTRvx...eature=related
A happy consequence of dipping the left shoulder and reaching up with the right is that your muscles are working at a mechanically much better angle, and not only will you help your shoulder, but you will serve better too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t6bLABbebc

If you are working on your serve technique, here are some potenitally helpful videos, so you will be serving with your whole body, and not just with your arm:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlPVdppfYGs
http://www.fuzzyyellowballs.com/vide...-when-serving/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpxF4M_bKZ4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bsYF...eature=related
http://www.essentialtennis.com/video...ve-comparison/
http://www.active.com/tennis/Article...Perfection.htm

Since the serve is so complicated, it's best to work with a pro or coach to make sure you have good technique.

Also, your shoulder can benefit from using a flexible frame and soft (natural gut or multifilament) strings. Using a flexible frame allows you to string less tightly, which is also good for your arm.

Good luck!

I have an appt with a sports med guy tomorrow.