Tennis Technology Tuesday
The TheraBand FlexBar is recommended for rehabilitation of tennis elbow. It is also useful for preventative strength training for the wrist and elbow muscles used in striking a tennis ball. The use of a FlexBar for treatment of tennis elbow was first reported in 2009 at the annual meeting of the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine. Unlike a lot of other tennis training devices, there are solid clinical trials behind the marketing claims. If you can get past the fact that it looks like an oversized licorice stick, the FlexBar might be for you.
I was first introduced to the FlexBar after I tore a tendon in my wrist a few years ago. As I returned to tournament play, my friend Dianne let me try out the one that she always has in her bag. After that short courtside demo, I whipped out my phone and ordered one on the spot.
I now have three of FlexBars scattered about my life. I carry one in my racquet bag. The other two are stationed at my desk at work and in my home office. I love a training device that can be used absent-mindedly and silently during those endless conference calls.
I have never had tennis elbow. Perhaps the fact that I regularly use a FlexBar has prevented the injury for me. I have found it to be an effective way to activate and stretch the wrist and elbow muscles prior to playing. I personally believe that it useful for preventing tennis elbow in addition to the rehabilitation benefits.
 | TheraBand FlexBar, Tennis Elbow Therapy Bar, Relieve Tendonitis Pain & Improve Grip Strength, Resistance Bar for Golfers Elbow & Tendinitis, Red, Light, Beginner |
- Phys Ed: An Easy Fix for Tennis Elbow?, Gretchen Reynolds, The New York Times, August 25, 2009.
