next »

[LVL]

Once your elbow becomes inflamed, everyday activities are enough to keep it irritated.  Giving up your weekly tennis game to rest your elbow is not enough to solve the problem.  Treating tennis elbow requires an exercise program to increase the strength and flexibility of the forearm muscles and tendons.  Once they are strong enough to withstand the stress of a bad backhand, then the pain will go away and won't return. 

If you feel twinges of pain in your elbow after playing, wait at least half an hour after your match and then ice the elbow down.  Icing is more effective once the elbow has returned to normal body temperature.  Fill a plastic bag with a mixture of ice and water and keep the elbow cool for up to 30-40 minutes. 

Consider the following as well:

1)  Use a vibration dampener on your tennis racket
2)  Check if the tension in the racquet strings are too high.  Lower the string tension by at least 3-5 lbs. less than the manufacturer's low-range suggestion
3)  Use an elbow brace
4)  Increase the grip size of your racquet or make use of cushion grips
5)  Seek the advice of a tennis instructor to correct your backhand stroke

Source:  Tennis Injury Handbook by Levy, M.D. and Fuerst

[racketwiz]

1. Vibration dampeners do not eliminate racquet vibrations and/or shock, and they do not prevent tennis elbow. It's sole purpose is to dampen the vibrations of the strings it is attached to which is normally the middle mains and change that high-pitched "ping" into a dull "thud".

2a. How high is too high? String tensions are relative to the player, and more often than not, high tensions alone are not the culprit. The string's composition and dynamic stiffness, and the racquet's physical properties all contribute to racquet shock. Consider, for instance, a Head Prestige MP strung with natural gut @ 75 lb and a Prince O3 Silver strung with polyester @ 60 lb. Which racquet will most likely give you a tennis elbow?

2b. Lowering the tension below the manufacturer's low-range recommendation will negate the intended performance capabilities of your equipment.

3. Fortunately, there are now several types of elbow braces available. Your best bet, however, is exercise, as recommended above. Gripping a used tennis ball while watching tv works well. There is also a gyroscopic ball available in the market that fits right in your palm. The faster the ball spins, the tougher it is to move it around. Gives your entire forearm a nice workout.

4. Cushion grips filter some of the shock but not enough to mitigate tennis elbow. Increasing the grip size is not necessarily the right answer either.  To begin with, get the proper grip size. Grips that are too large or too small are no good.

5. Seek the advice of a tennis instructor to correct not only your backhand strokes but your other strokes as well. Lateral epicondylitis which is tennis elbow of the outer elbow is related to a one-handed backhand. Medial epicondylitis which is tennis elbow of the inner elbow (also known as golfers elbow) is related to forehands, overhead and serves. Backhand two-handers are basically hitting with an opposite hand forehand. Stroke mechanics are important. Just because the stroke looks good and the desired shots are there doesn't mean that it's okay for your body. Pay attention to your stroke from preparation to follow through. For example, if you tend to force your wrist to pronate to get that extra spin on the ball at the moment of impact, don't be surprised if you eventually develop arm problems.

[Francis]

hi, racketwiz. how are you doing these days? i'm francis (the other francis from atpexers ) and i played with you when you visited manila last january. so when are you coming back?

i have a question about my racket's grip size...

i am a size 5 but my racket's size is 4 and what i do is add 2 overgrips to get the grip size i want. it feels good and i actually like the cushioned feel on my hand. is this ok or should i consider increasing the grip size aside from adding extra overgrips? i hear some uses lead tapes to increase grip size. is this a better alternative?

TIA!

[racketwiz]

Uy, amigo! Musta na? I have to say, this tennis forum is a great thing. Kudos! I intend to visit this forum regularly and share my expertise on tennis equipment, that is, of course, if the moderators would indulge me.

I moved my response to your question to the “Racquet and Strings” thread.

[Francis]

Uy, amigo! Musta na? I have to say, this tennis forum is a great thing. Kudos! I intend to visit this forum regularly and share my expertise on tennis equipment, that is, of course, if the moderators would indulge me.

I moved my response to your question to the “Racquet and Strings” thread.

Hi! Eto okay naman. I found new hitting partners from this forum as well. Hehehe...
Great! I am sure the moderators and members of this forum is more than glad you've joined. Looking forward to your future posts.

[Admin_Jong]

racketwiz, ok na ok nga ang pagjoin mo eh.. mukhang expert ka sa racquets... thanks thanks.. looking forward to your tips

[LVL]

Racketwiz, you are very welcome here!  Thanks for the inputs! 

[racketwiz]

Thank you very many Admin and LVL sa warm welcome ninyo.   I will most likely inhabit the "Racquets and Strings" thread and maybe the "How To" on occasion.

I would welcome technical and equipment questions from everyone from beginners to ranked players, including the Zoleta sisters. Please help spread the word.

[RonaldB]

Hey Racketwiz! I'm glad you're here din. Kelan ba next uwi mo?    ---  Ronald(from atpexers din)

[racketwiz]

Hey Racketwiz! I'm glad you're here din. Kelan ba next uwi mo?    ---  Ronald(from atpexers din)

Ronald, musta na? How's your LiquidMetal? Di mo ako binalitaan, mukhang palpak yata ang pagka-string ko sa racket mo ah.

Nakabiyahe ako sa Manila last January. Nag-EB nga kami sa Philam. Wala pang firm date ang return trip ko pero baka before Xmas.

[RonaldB]

Hey Racketwiz! I'm glad you're here din. Kelan ba next uwi mo?    ---  Ronald(from atpexers din)

Ronald, musta na? How's your LiquidMetal? Di mo ako binalitaan, mukhang palpak yata ang pagka-string ko sa racket mo ah.

Nakabiyahe ako sa Manila last January. Nag-EB nga kami sa Philam. Wala pang firm date ang return trip ko pero baka before Xmas.

Ay sorry di na pala kita na-update,naexcite kasi masyado nung makuha ko kay Ging yung raketa eh! Andito pa rin yung LM4 ko pero balak ko i-trade in kasi kinukuha pa sa kin ng 100 euro, eh nakita ko sa tennis warehouse 79 dollars na lang, ok na rin di ba? dagdag na lang ako ulit para makakuha ng bagong raketa. Ask ko opinion mo bro. ok lang ba sa akin yung aeropro drive? o pang advance player na yon? i'm using pure drive roddick now, pang advance player din ata 'to eh! binili ko lang kasi may discount dun sa pro shop.

Uwi ka pala before christmas? ayos!! magkikita tayo malamang kasi uwi ako sa october hanggang january ako dun kaya medyo marami akong maaattend-an na tennis EB!! hehehe!

God Bless!

[racketwiz]

Ronald, nilipat ko yung question mo sa "Rackets and Strings".

[pedrolabasulo]

for me i never had experienced tennis elbow, anyway tnx for the infos mga bros

[pindarti]

1. Vibration dampeners do not eliminate racquet vibrations and/or shock, and they do not prevent tennis elbow. It's sole purpose is to dampen the vibrations of the strings it is attached to which is normally the middle mains and change that high-pitched "ping" into a dull "thud".

Sorry to re-open this topic. But I am new here and I've seen your posts. They are very informative.

I am just curious with the statement I quoted above. So does this mean also that NOT using vibration dampeners will NOT contribute to getting a tennis elbow? I've never used vibration dampeners every since I started playing tennis. I've never felt any pain anywhere unless I over play during a certain day. I'm kind of concerned that I may be relying too much on my youth because I know one day, we will all reap what we sow. :-/

[racketwiz]

Whether you use vibration dampeners or not has nothing to do with tennis elbow is what I'm trying to say.

[pindarti]

Whether you use vibration dampeners or not has nothing to do with tennis elbow is what I'm trying to say.

Thank you!

[jov]

Once your elbow becomes inflamed, everyday activities are enough to keep it irritated.  Giving up your weekly tennis game to rest your elbow is not enough to solve the problem.  Treating tennis elbow requires an exercise program to increase the strength and flexibility of the forearm muscles and tendons.  Once they are strong enough to withstand the stress of a bad backhand, then the pain will go away and won't return. 

If you feel twinges of pain in your elbow after playing, wait at least half an hour after your match and then ice the elbow down.  Icing is more effective once the elbow has returned to normal body temperature.  Fill a plastic bag with a mixture of ice and water and keep the elbow cool for up to 30-40 minutes. 

Consider the following as well:

1)  Use a vibration dampener on your tennis racket
2)  Check if the tension in the racquet strings are too high.  Lower the string tension by at least 3-5 lbs. less than the manufacturer's low-range suggestion
3)  Use an elbow brace
4)  Increase the grip size of your racquet or make use of cushion grips
5)  Seek the advice of a tennis instructor to correct your backhand stroke

Source:  Tennis Injury Handbook by Levy, M.D. and Fuerst

thank you for the post sir LVL