Tips for Building and Maintaining Shoulder Strength

Few sports, if any, can be as taxing on the shoulder as tennis. A torn rotator cuff can easily develop into a chronic condition if never given a chance to heal. Here are some tips to help you avoid the perils of an injured shoulder:

1. Strengthen your shoulder. The shoulder is able to move fluidly thanks to the synchronized correspondence between several muscles, the shoulder blade and the bicep tendon. Strengthening all of the muscles works to stabilize the shoulder, reduce the risk of injury, and increase the longevity of optimal performance.

2. Use proper posture. Bad posture only causes further stress on the shoulder. It doesn’t matter if you are on the court, in the gym, driving to work, or talking on your cell phone, always try to stay mindful of whether or not you are slouching.

3. Stretch out the stress. Stress will cause muscles to become sore and take longer to heal. As discussed a couple weeks ago, stretching is a great way to relieve pain, de-stress, improve posture, and prevent injury.

4. If injured, seek advice from a personal trainer or physician. Your gut may be telling you to strengthen your shoulder after an injury since it feels weak, but exercising too soon can do more damage than good. Bottom line: If you are experiencing any level of chronic pain or discomfort in your shoulder, play it safe and seek a professional!