Graham Anderson checking in from Australian Open Tennis 2017
Graham is in Melbourne on ATP physiotherapist duties during the Australian Open 2017. Grand Slam tennis Physiotherapy is not a relaxing gig, long days and a large number of pro tennis players to look out for on and off court. Even so, we thought we’d ask Graham to put a few thoughts down on paper whilst there, on a few different topics related to sports injuries, especially those associated with tennis
Day 1: We have to start off on tennis of course!
“Tennis is one of the worlds most followed sports. Recreationally many of us have the occasional game. I have the fortune to work with many of the worlds top players and I am currently just fresh from the Chennai Open and now in Melbourne for the Australian Open.
Whilst here I thought I would discuss a few things about the tennis injuries we commonly see at Balance Performance.
A high number of matches – the density that will cause injury will vary amongst individuals – may lead to overuse injuries. Commonly lower back pain, shoulder, wrist or hip pain; but any part of the body can complain from the body being pushed outside its comfort zone of control.
For the not so competitive players inadequate physical and technique training may be the cause of overuse injuries. But mostly peoples lack of resilience to repeated patterning of impact/speeds and velocities the sport creates is enough to cause the problem.
Less commonly tennis injuries are due to traumatic injury or an acute event, although the odd sprained ankle is not a rarity!
Like any sport, lumbar and neck pain is prevalent but there is not really a tennis specific injury. Diagnosis of “tennis leg” a common calf injury in the sporting middle aged is certainly not exclusive to tennis. Similarly “tennis elbow” is often more common with those people that repeatedly grip, screw, type and extend their wrist. Many tennis players on the professional tour actually complain of “golfers” elbow on the inside more than tennis elbow affecting the outer side of the elbow. But of course for each individual it is different and like many overuse injuries its not only the sport that causes the injury but what the individual does, and does not do, outside of sport. It’s also down to a players level of strength, endurance, flexibility, skill and discipline sticking with habits that promote good recovery on a daily basis – physical, mental and emotional.
We have a large team of very experienced professionals at Balance Performance so have great confidence in calling us to make an appointment to address your injuries, receive treatment/rehab, gain strength and resilience and check your understanding of recovery practices is adequate.”
Graham will be back with more blogs but won’t be back in Clapham at Balance Performance for a few weeks so don’t put it off make good use of our team.
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- Probably missed something as well!