Can My Tennis Shoulder Heal With Therapy Alone?
Yes, your “tennis shoulder” can heal with only therapy if the rotator cuff tear is partial or if the symptoms are mild. In such cases, ice therapy, ultrasound therapy, and PRP treatments can reduce pain and support recovery. However, if the rotator cuff tear is severe, you will need rotator cuff repair or shoulder replacement surgery to restore your range of motion.
At Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, we examine your shoulder, identify the exact cause of pain, and create a targeted treatment plan to help you recover. Moreover, we offer both surgical and non-surgical treatments to address your injury, alleviate pain, and restore shoulder function safely. Call us at 855-321-6784 to discuss your treatment options with our surgeons.
What’s the Best Treatment for a Tennis Shoulder?
To treat a “tennis shoulder,” begin with rest, ice therapy, NSAIDs, and avoid movements that strain the shoulder. Other than that, your doctor may recommend steroid injections or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to promote healing. Activity modification, such as adjusting your tennis technique or reducing repetitive overhead motions, can also prevent further irritation.
Here are some additional treatments that can help with tennis shoulder:
Kinesio Taping
Kinesio Taping (elastic tape applied to the skin) supports the rotator cuff tendons and stabilizes the shoulder joint. The tape gently lifts the soft tissue, improving blood circulation and easing stress on the shoulder during sports movements. Moreover, according to a ResearchGate study (555 participants), Kinesio taping is most effective when combined with exercise.
Here’s how you can use Kinesio Taping to help with shoulder pain:
- Clean and dry the shoulder area before applying the tape.
- Cut the tape into strips, rounding the edges to prevent peeling.
- Apply the tape along the shoulder muscles in the direction of movement.
- Avoid overstretching the tape to maintain comfort and natural motion.
- Gently rub the tape after application to activate the adhesive.
Ultrasound Therapy
PubMed reports that ultrasound therapy is a safe and effective technique for reducing pain in shoulder disorders. This therapy utilizes sound waves to increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, and relax tense muscles. Ultrasound therapy also promotes healing after shoulder tendonitis and soft tissue injuries.
Exercises
Targeted exercises support tennis shoulder recovery by strengthening the rotator cuff and restoring range of motion. To start, you should focus on gentle stretches and shoulder blade stabilization exercises, such as:
- Pendulum swings: Relax your arm and move it gently in small circles.
- External rotations: Use a light resistance band to rotate your arm outward.
- Scapular squeezes: Pull your shoulder blades together and hold for a few seconds.
- Wall slides: Slide your arms up and down a wall to improve shoulder mobility.
Bracing
Bracing can stabilize the shoulder joint, limit painful movement, and protect the rotator cuff tendons during the healing process. Moreover, shoulder bracing reduces stress on injured muscles and the upper arm bone while maintaining proper shoulder alignment.
What are the Causes of a Tennis Shoulder Injury?
A tennis shoulder injury often occurs due to repetitive overhead movements, such as serving and smashing, which put pressure on the rotator cuff tendons. These movements can cause microtears, inflammation, or impingement within the shoulder joint. Additionally, poor stroke mechanics or improper racket positioning can increase the strain on the shoulder, making it more prone to overuse injuries over time.
Weak shoulder stabilizers between the chest, back, and rotator cuff can also disrupt joint alignment while playing. This imbalance increases stress on the rotator cuff tendons during swings or serves. Similarly, limited shoulder flexibility or skipping warm-up exercises reduces joint mobility, leading to tendon irritation or partial tears.
Beyond that, older players with weak shoulder muscles are at a higher risk of rotator cuff injuries due to wear and tear. As the soft tissue loses elasticity with age, the rotator cuff tendons become more vulnerable to small tears and inflammation. Without timely treatment or proper rehabilitation, these minor injuries can progress into a full tear that causes chronic shoulder pain. To prevent your condition from worsening, contact our shoulder specialists today.
When Should You See a Specialist for Tennis Shoulder Pain?
You should consult our shoulder specialist if your shoulder pain is severe or persists for longer than three weeks. You should also seek medical attention if you notice swelling, redness, or warmth around the shoulder joint. These signs may indicate a rotator cuff injury, tendon inflammation, or another complication, which can worsen without prompt treatment.
Moreover, you should contact our surgeon immediately if you experience numbness in your arm, sharp pain during overhead movements, or difficulty lifting your arm. These symptoms may indicate early signs of tendon damage and nerve involvement, which require immediate medical examination to prevent further injury. You should also watch for other warning signs that may indicate your condition is worsening, such as:
- Weakness in the dominant arm during lifts or serves
- Clicking, popping, or instability in the shoulder joint
- Limited external rotation or overall range of motion
- Inability to stabilize the shoulder during movements
How Do Doctors Diagnose a Tennis Shoulder Injury?
To diagnose a tennis shoulder injury, our experienced shoulder surgeon, Dr. Brett Spain, conducts a thorough physical examination, including tests such as the shoulder abduction (17–78% sensitivity) and drop arm test, to pinpoint the source of shoulder pain. He also examines the position of the humeral head compared to the opposite shoulder, which helps detect alignment issues, instability, or structural damage in the rotator cuff tendons or shoulder joint.
If the physical exam does not provide clarity, Dr. Spain will use advanced imaging to confirm the diagnosis. He typically starts with shoulder X-rays to check for fractures, bone spurs, or shoulder tendinitis.
However, if X-rays are normal, he conducts additional diagnostic tests, including MRI scans, CT Scans, and diagnostic injections. This approach helps identify the exact injury, determine the extent of damage, and guide effective treatment plans. You can call us at 855-321-6784 to book an appointment with Dr. Spain today.
Can Yoga or Pilates Support Recovery from a Tennis Shoulder?
Yes, yoga and pilates can help you recover from a tennis shoulder by improving flexibility and stabilizing the shoulder joint. Yoga and pilates target the four muscles that support the rotator cuff (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis), which help maintain proper alignment of the humerus and shoulder joint.
Additionally, controlled movements reduce stress on the rotator cuff tendons and soft tissue, supporting recovery from partial tears or inflammation. Yoga and Pilates also help strengthen shoulder stabilizers and support a gradual return to sports. Other than that, yoga/pilates movements improve overall posture and body awareness, which reduces the risk of re-injury.
How Can Strength Training Prevent Injuries in Tennis Players?
If you play tennis regularly, strength training can help you prevent injuries by gradually strengthening key supporting muscles. For example, exercises targeting your forearms and core improve stability, allowing the shoulder to handle repetitive movements. As strength increases, muscles develop fatigue resistance, which lowers the risk of overuse injury.
Here are common strengthening exercises to prevent shoulder injuries:
- Internal Rotations: Strengthens the internal rotator muscles of the shoulder for stability during swings.
- Reverse Flys: Targets the rear deltoids and upper back to support shoulder posture and prevent impingement.
- Serratus Push-Ups: Activates the serratus (a muscle along the side of the rib cage) anterior to stabilize the shoulder blade.
- Face Pulls: Strengthens the posterior shoulder and upper back, reducing the risk of rotator cuff injuries.
- Diagonal D2 Pattern: Improves coordinated shoulder movement and functional stability for tennis strokes.
However, it’s essential to balance your training. Focusing only on upper-body muscle growth may increase the risk of injury. For example, A study on NCBI found that players who overtrained upper-body muscle groups had a higher chance of upper-body injuries (β = 1.613, p = 0.013).
Get Relief From Tennis Shoulder Pain at Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine — Book Your Visit Now!
When your tennis shoulder hurts, every serve, smash, and overhead swing can feel exhausting and painful. You may struggle to hit powerful shots or maintain your usual speed and accuracy. Even simple volleys or backhand strokes can cause sharp pain. Over time, this persistent discomfort can weaken your shoulder, which affects your sports performance and overall quality of life.
At Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, we help you recover from tennis shoulder injuries safely. Our team offers targeted treatments, including non-surgical care, injections, and guided rehabilitation. Additionally, our surgeon provides second opinions and reviews your treatment plan to ensure you make informed decisions about your shoulder injury. Call us at 855-321-6784 or visit 2103 Deer Park Avenue, Deer Park, NY 11729 to schedule your consultation.
FAQs
Can I Manage Shoulder Rehabilitation at Home?
Yes, you can manage shoulder rehabilitation at home, but it requires careful planning and consistency. For example, you can start by doing gentle range-of-motion exercises to maintain mobility. Additionally, applying ice or heat can help reduce pain and swelling. Other than that, taking prescribed pain medication, maintaining good posture, and gradually increasing activity can strengthen the shoulder safely.
Does Cold or Heat Therapy Help Relieve Shoulder Pain From Overuse?
Yes, cold and heat therapy can help reduce shoulder pain from overuse, depending on the type of injury. For example, cold therapy is best for recent injuries or inflammation, because it reduces swelling and numbs sharp pain. In contrast, heat therapy, such as warm compresses or heating pads, is more effective for chronic stiffness, as it relaxes tense muscles and improves blood flow.
Can You Live With a Torn Rotator Cuff Tear Without Surgery?
Yes, you can live with a rotator cuff tear without surgery, especially if the tear is partial or symptoms are mild. In such cases, you can manage pain with over-the-counter medication and adjust your activities to avoid movements that worsen discomfort. However, if the rotator cuff tear is severe and the pain persists, you may need surgery to restore full function.
When Does a Rotator Cuff Tear Heal Without Surgery?
A torn rotator cuff can take 6 weeks to 1 year to heal without orthopedic surgery, depending on the severity of the tear. For instance, mild tears may improve within 6-12 weeks with rest, activity modification, and pain management. On the other hand, more severe tears may take a year to improve and may result in permanent weakness or reduced shoulder movement.
Can Sleeping on the Wrong Side Worsen My Shoulder Injury?
Yes, sleeping on the wrong side may worsen your shoulder injury. Placing pressure on the injured shoulder can increase pain, stiffness, and inflammation. To protect your shoulder, it’s recommended to sleep on your back or the opposite side. You should also use supportive pillows to keep your upper arm bone in a comfortable position and avoid positions that compress the joint.
What’s the Difference Between Shoulder Stiffness and Weakness?
Shoulder stiffness limits your range of motion, while weakness reduces your strength. Moreover, stiffness makes it difficult to move the shoulder fully, often due to tight muscles, inflammation, or joint issues. On the other hand, weakness makes lifting or holding objects difficult and usually results from a rotator cuff injury, tendon tears, or nerve problems.
Can Cold Plunges or Contrast Baths Benefit a Healing Shoulder?
Yes, cold plunges (placing your shoulder or whole body in cold water) and contrast baths (alternating between warm and cold water) can be helpful for a healing shoulder. Cold plunges help reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain, especially after a recent activity or injury. Additionally, contrast baths improve blood flow, relax muscles, and promote healing by reducing stiffness.
