A little backround: I am a 17 year old high level player. About 2 1/2 months ago I blew out my elbow right after i had really started playing well. The pain was in my outer right elbow. The pain was the most when serving, but is still painful when hitting other shots. A sharp pain. I had bought recovery programs, flexbar, and I also blamed my recent racquet change (still do). I have been playing tennis most of my life, been using poly for the last 5. Was I playing more than usual? Did i switch to a harsher racquet? Was I putting more spin and effort in my shots? Yes! But it has to be more than that! If there was one injury i thought i was immune to it was TE! About 1 week ago i was feeling hopeless. I wondered if i would be playing anytime soon (important year for recruiting). I didn't feel much pain when not doing anything, but if i supinated my arm and curled it was painful.
treatment: I had seen a physical therapist for a diagnosis, which was tennis elbow, but they weren't too helpful. My aunt was able to set me up to see a guy that would help her. I don't know what to call him, I guess massage therapist? He began by saying that I had probably been on the verge of injuring it for a while, and then that one shot did it for me. We began by doing some strength tests where he would push one way and me the other. I would try really hard but couldn't really resist the push. He said that the muscles most likely shut off after the injury. He then started the pinpoint therapy. He started behind my right shoulder In the upper back. He said it was unbelievably tight and this could be a major factor in the injury. He was barely pressing but it was very painful. He then went to my lat and the tender area below the armpit. Then he did bicep, elbow, and forearm. Afterwards I could do the strength tests no problem! I could curl my bicep in when supinated with relatively no pain. He said it was most likely caused by muscle tightness and inflammation. My elbow didn't feel quite as good the next day, but I have continued the treatment by foam rolling behind shoulder, lat, and armpit area, as well as using a massage stick on my forearm. Progress is going great! I am now practicing occasionally with caution.
. Conclusion: If you don't know what caused your TE consider muscle tightness. If your TE seems like it is taking forever to heal, consider the fact that when you injured the tendon your muscles may have shutdown. With any injury progress will be slow if you don't reactivate. What works for me is different than what works for everyone else. I have proper technique, and tennis has been a big part of my life for a long time. Of course I could benefit from forearm strengthening, but for the most part my arm is conditioned to play tennis.
hope this helps!
treatment: I had seen a physical therapist for a diagnosis, which was tennis elbow, but they weren't too helpful. My aunt was able to set me up to see a guy that would help her. I don't know what to call him, I guess massage therapist? He began by saying that I had probably been on the verge of injuring it for a while, and then that one shot did it for me. We began by doing some strength tests where he would push one way and me the other. I would try really hard but couldn't really resist the push. He said that the muscles most likely shut off after the injury. He then started the pinpoint therapy. He started behind my right shoulder In the upper back. He said it was unbelievably tight and this could be a major factor in the injury. He was barely pressing but it was very painful. He then went to my lat and the tender area below the armpit. Then he did bicep, elbow, and forearm. Afterwards I could do the strength tests no problem! I could curl my bicep in when supinated with relatively no pain. He said it was most likely caused by muscle tightness and inflammation. My elbow didn't feel quite as good the next day, but I have continued the treatment by foam rolling behind shoulder, lat, and armpit area, as well as using a massage stick on my forearm. Progress is going great! I am now practicing occasionally with caution.
. Conclusion: If you don't know what caused your TE consider muscle tightness. If your TE seems like it is taking forever to heal, consider the fact that when you injured the tendon your muscles may have shutdown. With any injury progress will be slow if you don't reactivate. What works for me is different than what works for everyone else. I have proper technique, and tennis has been a big part of my life for a long time. Of course I could benefit from forearm strengthening, but for the most part my arm is conditioned to play tennis.
hope this helps!
