Tennis Anyone? Spine
Safety Tips to Help Keep You Out on The Court.
Tennis is one of my favorite ways
to stay active and is incredibly popular all around metro Atlanta. I love to
see so many people out on the courts being active and working hard to improve
their physical fitness. While tennis can be great exercise and a lot of fun,
it's definitely a sport that puts a lot of stress on the spine and back
muscles. I know those sudden stops, spine-twisting saves, and powerful serves
are all part of the game but they can also be hard on your back. Here are some
tips to help you protect your neck and back from injuries while you are out on
the court.
Always do a Proper Warm Up
As is the case when playing any
sport, a good stretching program helps to warm up the muscles and joints so
they'll be more flexible during play.
Without a proper warm-up, you're more likely to experience injuries like
muscle strains and joint sprains that could have you sitting out the tennis
season. For best results, consult your
doctor, physical therapist or athletic trainer to develop a warm-up routine
with specific stretches for before and after your tennis game.
Pay Attention to Your Serve
The serving motion in tennis
causes you to hyperextend the lower back muscles and compress the lumbar discs
of your spine. That means every serve creates the potential for serious
injuries. A coach can be an excellent resource to help you find the right form
for your serve, one that will give you the power you want while still
protecting your spine.
Hard Court or Soft Court?
The type of court on which you
play can have a big impact (literally) on how much punishment your spine will
take during play. Not only do hard courts absorb less shock, they also ratchet
up the speed of the game, requiring greater agility for the player to keep up.
Soft courts, on the other hand, are able to absorb some of the stress that
occurs during sudden stops, sudden starts, and jumps. In addition, a soft
surface like clay or grass slows down the speed of the ball, giving you more
time to react and position your body appropriately to avoid injuries. While
they are less common than hard courts, soft courts can be ideal for those who
want to play a more leisurely game of tennis that protects their spine from
injury.
Whether
you are a tennis pro or playing with friends, I hope these tips help keep you
out on the courts this summer. If you
experience neck or back pain that won't go away, the physicians at Resurgens
Spine Center are here to help diagnose you and provide a treatment plan that
gets you back to playing the game you love.