While not a common injury in tennis, an oblique muscle strain can be very painful and quite limiting. Taking a hard fall or even a powerful and awkward swing can result in strain to your oblique muscles. Visit your doctor for a professional diagnosis of your injury and a medically sound treatment plan for your rehabilitation.
Oblique Muscles
You have two different sets of oblique muscles: internal and external. These muscles help your torso bend to the side -- for example, when bending over to the side to pick up a tennis ball, and perform twisting motions as well. They run diagonally across your abdomen, forming your waist. Your external obliques are closer to the surface and your internal obliques run deeper. Both sets of obliques wrap around connecting to your back as well. A tennis player uses these muscles with every swing.
Treatment
If you strain your oblique muscles, your doctor will likely prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs while instructing you to rest the muscles by abstaining from tennis practice. Several tests may be run, such as imaging via x-ray or MRI. Your doctor may recommend ultrasound therapy, laser treatments or a steroid injection. If the injury is severe enough, surgery may be warranted. At home, you should rest the muscle per doctor's orders. After 48 hours, you can apply heat to the muscles.
Stretching
After you get clearance from your doctor or physical therapist, you can begin gentle stretching of your oblique muscles. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent. Extend your right arm alongside your right thigh as you stretch your left arm up and over and to the right side. Keep your shoulders facing forward in this stretch. Next, stand up straight, pulling your abdominal muscles in toward your spine to tighten your torso. Cross both arms over your chest and twist to your left side, holding this twisted position. Repeat both stretches on the other side, holding all stretches for 30 seconds and repeating each one three times.
Strengthening
The final step in your rehabilitation program is strengthening your injured oblique muscles. Again, do not proceed to this step before getting your doctor's approval. Two exercises to rebuild strength in your obliques are a seated twist and a twisting crunch. First, sit on the ground with your feet stretched out in front of you. Loop a resistance band around your feet and grab the ends with your hands together. Sitting up very straight and holding your abdominal muscles in, slowly twist to one side and then the other. Next, lie down with your legs bent and your feet on the ground, placing your hands behind your head with your elbows wide. Crunch your abdominal muscles up, twisting your left shoulder toward your right knee. Keep your elbows back, and do not pull on your head. Return to the center and twist in the other direction. Perform three sets of 12 reps for each exercise.
References
- "British Journal of Sports Medicine"; Uncommone Abdominal Muscle Injury in a Tennis Player: Internal Oblique Strain; J Maquirriain and J P Ghisi; May 2006
- Sports Injury Clinic: Abdominal Strain - Inflammation or Rupture of the Stomach Muscles
- Sports Injury Clinic: External Obliques
- Sports Injury Clinic: Internal Obliques
- Sports Injury Clinic: Side Stretch
- Sports Injury Clinic: Rotation Stretch
