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I am a 17 year old high level tennis player. I am seeing a a professional phys therapist on Monday that I was referred to. However, I wanted to run it by you all and see if I could gather any advice/information.

. I have missed practically the whole summer from tendinitis in my elbow. After several months of frustration and different strategies to help my elbow, I finally felt that it was 98% healed about 3-4 weeks ago. I started back playing cautiously. I slowly gained confidence until I started going practically all out for the last 1-2 weeks before the shoulder issue. I was still giving myself more rest than usual, but maybe I still got a little too excited. I have been serving very hard, like 100 plus on first serves. And being very aggressive on groundstrokes. Perhaps I should have built up some of the strength I lost while off, before jumping back into things?

. last Wednesday evening I hit a shot, I think it was a hard forehand but maybe serve, my shoulder certainly felt different after that shot, a little strained, or stuck. I continued to play, and did not think much of it. I could pretty much play the same, it just felt a little weird sometimes. I had a 2 hour lesson with a pretty good player the next day that I was getting paid for, so I wasn’t just going to cancel cuz it hurt a little bit. I played and it hurt a little more, but I could still play pretty well, but at that point I knew I had at least tweaked my shoulder. I didn’t play the rest of the day.

. the next day I had a one hour lesson I was giving that I had already planned. The kid is a younger player, but he can hit the ball with good pace and consistency, I have to try against him. The pain was more noticeable, it definitely felt inflamed, and sorta a dull pain. I went to the chiropractor, she adjusted and said she thought it would be fine if I took a few days off, but she says that about a lot of things. That night It was a little throbing from the inflammation probably, but not after a little icing.

. aside from a little feeding, and some pull UPS, I rested my shoulder from Friday until this Wednesday. I hit for about 15-20 minute Thursday to see how it felt. It felt fine warming up and hittng soft, the last 5 minutes I was hitting hard I could do it, but I knew it still wasn’t healed, there was still some pain. There was a 4.5 Men’s point play drill that night that I had to run, and I’m supposed to play in. I was going really easy, just soft slicing and droppers/volleys. I trid to go hard for a few forehands, but it didn’t go too well. I decided to just pick up balls the rest of the time.

. the pain is in the front of my shoulder, but sometimes on top. I wasn’t overly sore or anything when it happened, it came out of nowhere. I am still able to move my arm in full range of motion with very little pain. There is a a little pain/twinge when the arm goes overhead, or across body like on a forehand. I cannot describe how frustrated I am with these injuries. This is a huge year for me as far as my future/college, there are college coaches waiting to see me play, but I can’t seem to get healthy. I would greatly appreciate any advice or information on what it is or how I can get better asap, also any exercises I can do, or helpful videos/ articles would be greatly appreciated. I’m not sure exactly what it is so any help diagnosing from the symptoms I’ve given would be great;

I am 6,1 175 lbs, pretty strong kid, not as flexible as I could be. Please don’t say “see a doctor”. I really do not have the money. I am going to see a therapist Monday, but wanted to see if anyone here had any advice.

Thanks for any help!!!!