Tennis demands explosive movement like lunges, pivots, sprints and sudden stops. Every serve starts with a push from the toes. Every rally shifts weight between the heel and forefoot. Unlike sports with linear movement, like sprinting, tennis places constant multi-directional stress on the feet and ankles—two of the most frequently injured body parts in the game.
The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is the superior (upper) portion of the shoulder joint, comprised of the distal (furthest from the center of the body) portion of the collar bone (clavicle) and the acromion process of your shoulder blade (scapula). Problems here can lead to loss of shoulder motion, pain, and difficulty performing tasks that require the use of your arm.
Chronic pain and inflammation can really take a toll on your physical and mental health. Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) can help reduce pain and inflammation. But they also carry certain risks for cardiovascular and kidney issues, stroke, bleeding and ulcers when you take them for extended periods of time. Fortunately, there are topical anti-inflammatory creams that offer the same amount of relief with significantly reduced risks.
A SLAP tear is an injury to the labrum, the cartilage rim that surrounds the socket of the shoulder joint. SLAP stands for "superior labrum anterior and posterior," meaning that the tear occurs at the front of the upper arm where the bicep tendon connects to the shoulder.1
Hip pain can have a range of causes, from minor injury to chronic inflammation. In many cases, gently exercising and stretching the hips can help relieve pain and restore mobility.
