Shoulder Pain

• Introduction
• 1 Sprained Ankle
• 2 Shoulder Pain
• 3 Calf Strain
• 4 Stress Fracture of the Back
• 5 Tennis Elbow

What is a Stress Fracture of the Back?

A stress fracture of the back, or lumbar spine, is one of the more common bone injuries in young tennis players. Lower back stress fractures are usually characterised by an ache in the lower back which is exacerbated by sporting activities and eased by rest, although a small percentage of people with a stress fracture can be pain free. Typically it is sore when the patient bends backwards, particularly if standing on one leg. If a lower back stress fracture is suspected, a doctor may decide to refer the patient for a scan to confirm the diagnosis.

What can you do to prevent a Stress Fracture?

Serving in tennis requires a combination of spinal hyperextension (bending back) together with rotation and side bending of the trunk. This puts a lot of stress on an area of the vertebra called the Pars Interarticularis and this is where stress fracture develops.

Practising the service should be carefully monitored by the coach to ensure the lower back is not being overloaded. This is particulary important in adolescent players who have just experienced a growth spurt as they are known to be more at risk from this injury. Core stability exercises can help prevent back problems in tennis players.

What should you do if you suffer a Stress Fracture of the Back?

In most cases, complete rest from tennis is the treatment of choice. This would usually be for a period of 6 weeks to allow the bone to heal. In the early stages, a soothing heat pack can reduce back pain and alleviate back muscle spasm. During this period, a progressive exercise programme may commence, under the supervision of a chartered physiotherapist. This usually starts with exercises to increase the muscular stability in the lower back.

Research has shown that a lack of muscular stability in the lumbar and pelvic regions can lead to low back pain and stress fractures. The principle behind the core stability exercises is that if certain specific muscles can be recruited or contracted, the spine will have much better support. This prevents postural faults which can predispose a person to back pain.

Calf strain

Tennis Elbow

Recommended Products for Spondylolysis

Back Supports & Braces

Mueller Back Brace

Our Price
£29.99

Suitable for everyday use in the treatment and prevention of low back pain. Lightweight and comfortable, it features eight...

More Details

Be seen at night!
£FREE Reflective Snap Band

FREE Drinks Bottle with this item on orders > £50

Vulkan Sciatica Support (Deluxe)

Our Price
£39.99

Contoured Aerotherm® neoprene back support for improved comfort. Ideal for treatment and prevention of Sciatica and back...

More Details

FREE Vulkan Bottle with this item on orders > £50

McDavid Universal Back Support

Our Price
£43.99 £39.99

BEST SELLER!Top quality sports and work back support featuring a ventilated...
 (2 reviews)

More Details

---

Pregnancy Belt

Our Price
£19.99

Delivers excellent support without putting pressure on the 'bump'. Great for the treatment of back pain and Sacro Iliac (SI)...

More Details

Mueller Lumbar Back Brace (with removable pad)

Our Price
£39.99 £37.99

Features a removable lumbar pad cushion for extra support and stability. Improves posture, prevents low back pain and has a...

More Details

Be seen at night!
£FREE Reflective Snap Band

FREE Drinks Bottle with this item on orders > £50

Donjoy BOA Duel TLSO Back Brace

Our Price
£184.99 £174.99

The ultimate back brace for back pain and back surgery. Ensures good posture, prevents harmful back twisting and forward bending....

More Details

---

Top of Page

Back Pain Relief

Mentholatum Deep Relief Gel

Our Price
£5.99 £4.99

Deep Relief dual action gel with ibuprofen is a clear, non-sticky and non-greasy gel with a mild,...
 (1 review)

More Details

 

 

---

Tenscare Touch TENS Machine

Our Price
£39.99 £24.66

Easy to use dual channel digital TENS machine for effective pain relief featuring seven preset programmes. Just stick on the...

More Details

Top of Page

Memory Foam Products

Obusforme Supporting Roll

Our Price
£19.99

Back supporting roll with removable cover that can be sponge washed. Includes elastic strap to secure against a seat. Used for...

More Details

ComfortSleep Supreme Visco Elastic Memory Foam Pillow

Our Price
£34.99

A superior visco elastic, temperature reactive memory foam pillow used to enhance sleep for those with neck problems. Complete...

More Details

ExtraComfort Restore Memory Foam Mattress

Prices from
£398.97

The ExtraComfort Restore Memory Foam Mattress is a highest quality orthopaedic mattress and can relieve pain due to arthritis,...

More Details

---

Top of Page

Seating Supports

Obusforme Supporting Roll

Our Price
£19.99

Back supporting roll with removable cover that can be sponge washed. Includes elastic strap to secure against a seat. Used for...

More Details

ExtraComfort Coccyx Chair Cushion

Our Price
£19.99

High quality wedge shaped, high density foam chair cushion with 'cut out' section at the Coccyx (tail bone) region. The Coccyx...

More Details

Top of Page

Heat Packs & Wraps

PhysioRoom.com Instant Heat Pack

Our Price

  1+ £0.99
  6+ £0.59
12+ £0.50
24+ £0.40

SAVE UP TO 60%!A mouldable pack that becomes an instant therapeutic heat pack. Ideal for soothing warm pain...

More Details

Be seen at night!
£FREE Reflective Snap Band

WHEATeeze Lower Back Warmer/Cooler

Our Price
£16.99 £13.49

Fabric pack that contains wheat. Can be put in the microwave or freezer to provide a hot or cold pack....

More Details

WHEATeeze Full Back Warmer/Cooler

Our Price
£27.99 £21.99

Fabric pack that contains wheat. Can be put in the microwave or freezer to provide a hot or cold pack....

More Details

---

Top of Page

Home Rehab Kit

 

 

AquaJogger 100 Floatation Belt

Our Price
£39.99 £26.99

The AquaJogger 100 is a floatation belt. One particular benefit is that it allows an early return...
 (1 review)

More Details

---

 

Home Physio Treat your own Back Pain DVD

Our Price
£14.99

Leading Chartered Physio-
therapist Judith Pitt-Brooke shares her tried and tested back pain self-treatment programme in...

More Details

Back Stretcher

Our Price
£49.99

BEST SELLER! Fully adjustable, lightweight and portable back stretching device. Used for the treatment and...

More Details

---

 

 

Chattanooga Stabilizer Pressure Biofeedback

Our Price
£89.99 £84.99

Provides a visual indication of whether you are working the correct postural muscles, in the right manner, when performing...

More Details

---

Top of Page

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

• Home
• Sports
• Tennis Injuries

© Copyright PhysioRoom.com 2001-2009. All rights reserved. Sitemap.

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE
The articles on this web site are provided for general information only and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or treatment. All exercises and information featured on this web site should only be practised under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.

We accept the following payment methods

PhysioRoom.com Limited, Unit 1 & 2 Dawson Court, Billington Road, Burnley, Lancashire BB11 5UB, England

Sports Injury & Physiotherapy Search Marketing by Epiphany.