Surviving Physical Therapy© Sandra Eggers
Sep 11, 2001
Physical therapists are often referred to as physical "terrorists"
because of the pain they often put you in. They are able to work muscles and
joints in a way that you can't, and you will often be more sore after the visit
than before you went in. Even though you may hurt a little the appointment, rest
assured that they know exactly what they're doing and it is your quickest way
back to a healthy body.
Whether you've broken a bone or are suffering from tendonitis, physical
therapy may be prescribed by your doctor as a way to get you back into the swing
of things. If you do have some kind of injury, sports-related or not, make sure
to always let your doctor and physical therapist know that you play sports. They
may be able to incorporate certain exercises into your recovery to prepare you
better for your return to the game.
Make the most of your physical therapy sessions, and take advantage of the
qualified people who will be working with you. This is a great opportunity to
learn more about your injury, what might have caused it and how you can prevent
it from coming back.
Be honest about your self-assessment
If your elbow really hurts, then tell the doctor or therapist that your elbow
really hurts. If you're uncomfortable with a certain exercise or treatment, make
sure to speak up. The health care professionals can't help you get better unless
you are honest with them.
Learn about your injury
Ask questions about the injured area, and try to find out about the muscle group
or tendons that are effected. There will most certainly be some body
"map" in the office where you can point out where you're hurting. Ask
for more information about it and what else it effects.
Follow doctor and therapist recommendations
As a tennis player, you probably want to take a day off and get back on the
court. In many cases, this is not enough time for your body to heal. Your doctor
and therapist will help you through your recovery, but you need to listen to
your body to make sure it's right for you. Most importantly, don't rush it.
Ask for preventative and strengthening exercises
During your recovery, you will probably receive some exercises from the doctor
or physical therapist to strengthen the injured area in preparation for your
first time back on court. Once you have healed, you will also want to do some
kind of preventative exercise to ensure that this same injury doesn't come back.
Both your doctor and physical therapist are good sources for these types of
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The copyright of the article Surviving Physical Therapy in Tennis is owned by Sandra Eggers. Permission to republish Surviving Physical Therapy in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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