Compression Sleeves?

canadad · Jul 23, 2011

Arm Problems: I have made adjustments in my game and equipment including different string set-ups, arm friendly frame, rest, ice and technique adjustment. While there has been significant improvement, my arm still gets sore and fatigues easily. The soreness and fatigue is only after serving and in my bicep and tricep areas.
I thought I would go all in and try some compression sleeves. Has anyone had any luck with them? Any brand suggestions? Are the running ones good enough, or do you have to get ones designed with tennis in mind? Or is it a little bit of nonsense?

Rattler · Jul 23, 2011

Been using the addias tech fit ones for a year...had tennis elbow and the Dr. Recommend I try them....haven't had tennis elbow since

Smasher08 · Jul 23, 2011

Lemme guess: you're playing with poly strings........

canadad · Jul 23, 2011

Smasher08 said:
Lemme guess: you're playing with poly strings........

VS Gut and Cyclone

mikeler · Jul 23, 2011

canadad said:
VS Gut and Cyclone

Try all VS Gut first, dump the Cyclone until your arm gets better. Hopefully good technique combined with soft strings will heal you. What racket do you use?

canadad · Jul 23, 2011

I now use BB Londons which have helped, from coming off Head Speeds.

got spin? · Jul 23, 2011

I had this same problem a few months back. Its most likely a strained Bicep tendon. This can be due to old polys, over pronation on serve, or wild strokes that can be stressful to the arm. See a Physical Therapist and he will call you in about every week or so to have a minor shock therapy done on it. He may prescribe you steroids for it depending on how bad it hurts. I got an MRI done on it and it did show that my tendon was damaged/strained. It takes a few weeks to get over this.

canadad · Jul 23, 2011

got spin? said:
I had this same problem a few months back. Its most likely a strained Bicep tendon. This can be due to old polys, over pronation on serve, or wild strokes that can be stressful to the arm.

I have always prided myself on great technique, I had excellent coaching growing up. I was always told to pronate(using an eastern backhand on serve) and have done it for many years, and I had a huge serve. Now it has gotten to the point where I have no power anymore. I do believe that over-pronating is indeed the major culprit, aggravated by the other usual suspects. I made the adjustment to a contental/eastern forehand, which has meant less stress. I will say that the BB London was an instant help, but not the cure.

Great advice, however I have never heard of shock therapy for the arm, sounds interesting. Does it help with anterior shin splints? That is my other weakness.

djNEiGht · Jul 23, 2011

not trying to take anything away for the suggestions of string change...

for clarity

the arm sleeves that the runners use are usually just for warmth. you could prob look into a long sleeve compression tops.

here is a link to 2xu which has a nice selection of athletic wear and compression clothing.

http://www.2xu.com/product-category/12/Compression#12--1

got spin? · Jul 23, 2011

canadad said:
I have always prided myself on great technique, I had excellent coaching growing up. I was always told to pronate(using an eastern backhand on serve) and have done it for many years, and I had a huge serve. Now it has gotten to the point where I have no power anymore. I do believe that over-pronating is indeed the major culprit, aggravated by the other usual suspects. I made the adjustment to a contental/eastern forehand, which has meant less stress. I will say that the BB London was an instant help, but not the cure.

Great advice, however I have never heard of shock therapy for the arm, sounds interesting. Does it help with anterior shin splints? That is my other weakness.

Its not any thing you can feel, all you can feel is a constant poke in the arm which is the current flowing, it stimulates blood flow and other bodily fluids to area of inflamation and helps it heal quicker, there are two suction cups he will put on you, one on the top of your shoulder and one at the bottom of the bicep so there is a current flowing through your entire bicep. It feels really good and after having that done, I went to the courts immediately and noticed stronger ground stroke because it temporarily stimulates the muscle making it stronger. Im not sure if it works on shin splints.

docfischer · Jul 23, 2011

This all depends upon how often you play and how long you rest your arm but this might be of use. After a long enough rest period most partial tears will heal themselves. Partial tears can be difficult to diagnose. Age plays a role in where the tear can occur. Stick your arm straight out with your palms face up and rotate your palm face down with and without resistance (someone would need to assist you with this). If you feel any pain or notice lack of strength the tear could be very plausible. Flex your bicep like a body builder and see if you notice the muscle looking different. This can help you know if it is a full tear. As for the shin splints, it depends on how often you partake in the sport. Rest is obviously the first thing, then cold packs, compression, and stretching can help. You could also use anti-inflammatory drugs.

canadad · Jul 23, 2011

docfischer said:
This all depends upon how often you play and how long you rest your arm but this might be of use. After a long enough rest period most partial tears will heal themselves. Partial tears can be difficult to diagnose. Age plays a role in where the tear can occur. Stick your arm straight out with your palms face up and rotate your palm face down with and without resistance (someone would need to assist you with this). If you feel any pain or notice lack of strength the tear could be very plausible. Flex your bicep like a body builder and see if you notice the muscle looking different. This can help you know if it is a full tear. As for the shin splints, it depends on how often you partake in the sport. Rest is obviously the first thing, then cold packs, compression, and stretching can help. You could also use anti-inflammatory drugs.

I only play seasonally and only a couple times a week. I have been having this problem(albeit slightly) for a few summers, but it has certainly peaked this summer. The muscle does look normal when flexed. It is just very weak and sore when serving. I am 35, I did quit for about 7 years and started again a few years ago. I suspect my mental memory did not hold over during that 7 year hiatus and I started to do something wrong.

docfischer · Jul 23, 2011

canadad said:
I only play seasonally and only a couple times a week. I have been having this problem(albeit slightly) for a few summers, but it has certainly peeked this summer. The muscle does look normal when flexed. It is just very weak and sore when serving. I am 35, I did quit for about 7 years and started again a few years ago. I suspect my mental memory did not hold over during that 7 year hiatus and I started to do something wrong.

Its not definitive, but if you are able to supinate your hand without pain and only notice the problem on your serve, I would lean towards a mechanics issue associated with the serve. Many people can function normally with a partial tear. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

mikeler · Jul 24, 2011

Ultrasound and electrostimulation work for my tendinitis issues.

coachrick · Jul 24, 2011

I've mentioned it a number of times before, usually relating to 'tennis elbow' but it's more important for the upper arm/shoulder. Be VERY aware of your sleep habits. My favorite position for my racket arm was UNDER my head/pillow, effectively cutting down on blood flow and exacerbating nerve impingement. I noticed a tremendous improvement(especially early morning) when I found a way to relieve the pressure on my arm at night. Takes a little 'doing' but made a big difference to me!

From a technique standpoint, 'forcing' pronation(especially beyond a 'neutral' point) almost always leads to damage eventually...certainly worse when going for 'power'. Loosen things up and 'let' the pronation happen. Also, a loose grip can allow the muscles to relax and let the racket do the work...the racket was designed to hit a tennis ball, our arm was not.

canadad · Jul 24, 2011

coachrick said:
I've mentioned it a number of times before, usually relating to 'tennis elbow' but it's more important for the upper arm/shoulder. Be VERY aware of your sleep habits. My favorite position for my racket arm was UNDER my head/pillow, effectively cutting down on blood flow and exacerbating nerve impingement. I noticed a tremendous improvement(especially early morning) when I found a way to relieve the pressure on my arm at night. Takes a little 'doing' but made a big difference to me!

Yes, that is how I sleep, I shall make an effort to adjust. I guess I will take my wife's advice and go get myself that straight jacket:wink:, it should keep my arm in check.

Dave_D · Jul 27, 2011

Sleeping on your arms (or with your arms above your head) is a bad habit and really bad for circulation. I used to do this and had sore shoulders all the time because of it. I've almost broken the habit now (although I slip up occasionally) but that will help. I sometimes wear a compression sleeve on my right arm to keep the elbow area warm as it seems it is less sore afterwards when I do this. I have a Nike Basketball Compression sleeve that works really well for this.

djNEiGht · Jul 27, 2011

Dave_D said:
I've almost broken the habit now.

what do you do to teach yourself this? i have that problem too...

icarus180 · Jul 27, 2011

I use the 2XU compression calf sleeves, compresson tights, and arm sleeves. I also have compression socks from other companies.

Compression gear has really taken off in the endurance sport community. The claims are that the gear aids in recovery, and even that it reduces overall energy expenditure during exercise. I don't know about all that, but:

Yes, the lower body gear seems to have helped my shin splint problems, to the point that I convince myself I don't have shin splint problems. Then I play a few days without wearing the gear because I'm vain and I feel like such a tool wearing it. Then the shin splints return... so I strap back in and the problem dissolves. I also find the socks help with both shin splints AND achilles discomfort.

Yes, the arm sleeve seems to have moderately helped with TE. In my case, they have made the pain managable as I continue to play after switching away from full poly.

I agree with other posters that one should look to string choice and mechanics first. The gear ain't cheap, and I do worry that I am simply masking deeper problems.

The most reputable companies that sell compression gear are: CWX, SKINS, 2XU and ZOOT. Nike and Adidas have started making compression gear, but they don't seem to have the same fanatic following with the endurance set as the above names. I have no idea if it is as good or better than the less mainstream stuff. I do know it is one heck of a lot cheaper.

Good luck! Hope you get healthy soon.

canadad · Jul 27, 2011

icarus180 said:
Compression gear has really taken off in the endurance sport community. The claims are that the gear aids in recovery, and even that it reduces overall energy expenditure during exercise. I don't know about all that, but:

Thanks for the first hand information!
What kind of shin splints do yo get? Mine are Anterior Shin Splints. This is due to the fact that I walk on the outsides of my feet. I went to a podiatrist and he said I need orthodics, I went to a Physio-therapist and she said I need to stretch and retrain my walking style, because I am not bow-legged, it is just a style of walk I have developed. So I stretch and so exercises and it comes and goes. It is back now. Mine apparently is the less common form of shin splints.

canadad · Jul 27, 2011

mikeler said:
Ultrasound and electrostimulation work for my tendinitis issues.

Thanks for your awesome thread on Multis, I have ordered some from your list.

icarus180 · Jul 27, 2011

^^ I'm afraid I don't know. I'm fairly certain it's the everyday garden variety as my feet are pretty neutral and I have a normal stride. (PTs have told me that orthotics are not recommended.) Mine are due to overuse (too much, too fast, too soon). I take extra precautions by warming up really well and stretching a ridiculous amount after exercise. Dizzam I miss being young. Be well.

Dave_D · Jul 28, 2011

djNEiGht said:
what do you do to teach yourself this? i have that problem too...

I used to fall asleep with both of my arms under my pillow. I now fall asleep with them down by my side (sleeping on my side). If I wake up and my arms are up, I make a conscious effort to re-adjust so that they are down again. If i do end up sleeping with them up my hand is always asleep for 30 minutes after I wake up in the morning. It's always my left hand and my little finger and ring finger. I broke the little finger a couple years ago and it has been a pain for falling asleep on me. I also have a separated right shoulder that hurts more when I sleep with it up, so I have motivation to try and change my sleeping habits!

mikeler · Jul 28, 2011

canadad said:
Thanks for your awesome thread on Multis, I have ordered some from your list.

Glad it was helpful.

-Bobo- · Jul 28, 2011

Compression sleeves saved my arm, went from not being able to play to playing 3-4 times a week no pain.

djNEiGht · Aug 1, 2011

i've used something like this but the neoprene version. this one states

The McDavid 512R Elastic Elbow Support provides mild compressive support without the heat retention of neoprene supports.

Breathable fabric for maximum comfort. Firm compression and soft tissue support. Sized for optimum fit.

Size Guide: (measure around elbow)
Small: 8 - 9.5"
Medium: 9.5 - 11"
Large: 11 - 12"
X-Large: 12 - 14"

canadad · Aug 1, 2011

Here are my steps taken so far:
1. I've ordered some Adidas ones, which were half the price of the Skins which happened to be out of stock. We'll see how they work when they get here.
2. I really think there is something to the idea of sleeping correctly to help with this. I am trying to make a conscious effort to not sleep on my arm.
3. Thanks to Mikeler's awesome thread on Multis, I have ordered some and they are in the mail along with the sleeves. Not even Hybrid with a poly, straight multi.

mikeler · Aug 1, 2011

djNEiGht said:
i've used something like this but the neoprene version. this one states

The McDavid 512R Elastic Elbow Support provides mild compressive support without the heat retention of neoprene supports.

Breathable fabric for maximum comfort. Firm compression and soft tissue support. Sized for optimum fit.

Size Guide: (measure around elbow)
Small: 8 - 9.5"
Medium: 9.5 - 11"
Large: 11 - 12"
X-Large: 12 - 14"

The heat retention is what loosens everything up for me so I don't care for these types of sleeves even though they are more breathable.

djNEiGht · Aug 2, 2011

i don't mind my neoprene sleeve even if the temps are up. just get a funny tan line.

Compression Sleeves?

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