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String tension for carpal tunnel?
I am a 4.0 NTRP tennis player, who has carpal tunnel syndrome (dominant wrist) and mild rotator cuff (both shoulders), which has reduced my ability to serve and hit to a 3.5 level (i.e., I can't serve in the 90 mph range, anymore; closer to low 70s, and similar across my hitting ability).
Assuming I currently use the average string tension printed on my racquet, should I use a higher (control) or lower (power) string tension to reduce the probability of any pain?
I'm not asking for exercises or medical advice; just opinions on the string tension issue. If you have a web reference, then, please, include that.
Thanks.
1 Answer
- 2 years agoFavourite answer
The suggested tensions printed on the racquets are quite high.
As a general rule, one should use the lowest tension he can keep the ball in with. I'm not familiar with the carpal tunnel syndrome, but there's no doubt the lower the string tension, the better for joints and tendons: “these are the facts of the case and they are undisputed”.
Established that a tennis player with the worst habits (no warm-up, no fitness, bad technique...) could never experience the physical issues that – on the contrary – could afflict a diligent player, you would be sure not to hold your racquet too tight, i. e. just don't let it fall between shots and a little tighter on the contact point without compromising the action of the wrist. (I'm not a native English speaker so I didn't get the “no advice” part).
“Decreasing the racquet's string tension by a few (2-4) pounds is recommended for players who are experiencing shoulder, elbow or wrist pain”. (Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine, Volume 1)