Dr. Nave is a competitive tennis player, youth coach, and chiropractor who has treated tennis-specific injuries since 2014. When you describe your serve mechanics, he's not reading from a textbook.
Tennis is a repetitive, asymmetric sport. Every serve, forehand, and backhand loads the same structures in the same pattern — until something gives. Select an injury to see what's happening inside.
Most Common Tennis Injury
Repetitive wrist extension and grip stress the lateral epicondyle — the bony bump on the outside of your elbow where your forearm extensors attach. Rest helps temporarily but rarely solves it because the mechanics driving the overload are still there.
Most cases we see are actually a forearm mechanics problem, not just a tendon problem. String tension, grip size, and backhand technique all play a role — and we address all of them.
3D model: lateral epicondylitis mechanics
Serve-Related
Overhead serving mechanics place extreme demand on the rotator cuff. When the scapula isn't stabilizing properly — or thoracic spine mobility is limited — the rotator cuff compensates until it can't.
We use an interactive rotator cuff model in-office to show you exactly which structure is involved and why. Treatment addresses the shoulder, but also the thoracic spine and scapular control driving the problem.
3D: impingement + interactive rotator cuff
Grip-Heavy
High string tension, improper grip size, and late contact points all increase wrist extension stress. Over time this creates compression patterns in the carpal tunnel and chronic wrist flexor/extensor strain.
Often overlooked: racquet string tension dramatically affects how much wrist and forearm stress you absorb on contact. We look at equipment alongside biomechanics.
3D model: carpal tunnel syndrome
Court Movement
Stop-start cuts, split steps, and lateral slides load the knee and ankle in ways running sports don't. Pronation at the foot creates a chain reaction that affects the knee, hip, and lower back — a problem that starts at the ground and works its way up.
Patellar tendon stress, meniscus loading, and ankle sprains are common downstream effects. We treat the chain, not just the joint that's complaining.
3D: pronation chain + patellar tendon
The goal is finding the mechanical source — not just treating the site of pain. Tennis elbow is usually a mechanics problem. Shoulder pain is usually a thoracic problem. We find the actual driver.
Human Movement Specialist protocols assess the full kinetic chain from ankle to shoulder — identifying where the breakdown originates, not just where it hurts.
Treats soft tissue while the body is moving and loaded — mimicking actual tennis mechanics. Faster return-to-play than passive rest-based approaches.
Photobiomodulation accelerates healing in tendons and ligaments — especially effective for lateral epicondylitis and rotator cuff injuries where blood supply is naturally limited.
Every plan includes objective criteria for returning to hitting, competing, and full intensity — not just "rest and see how it feels." You know the graduation point before you start.
From the Doctor
I've been playing competitive tennis for years and coaching youth players in the Overland Park area. When a patient comes in with a serve-related shoulder or tennis elbow, I'm not working from textbook mechanics — I have personal experience with the same movements.
I know what a kick serve does to the cervical spine over thousands of repetitions. I know what a two-handed backhand does to the wrist extensors. That context changes how I evaluate and how realistic I am about what it takes to get back to competing.
Book a Tennis Injury Eval →Dr. Samuel Nave, DC
Player · Coach · HMS · FAKTR
OP since 2014
Additional Service
Professional stringing with an arm-health focus. Drop off at your appointment or anytime during office hours. 24–48 hour turnaround. Your string tension affects your elbow — we take that seriously.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Labor Only | $25 |
| Multifilament Arm Friendly | $40 |
| Hybrid (Poly/Multi) | $45 |
| Premium Gut | $60+ |
| Junior / 10U | $25–30 |
| Rush Service | +$10 |
How often should I restring?
As many times per year as you play per week. Play 3x/week → restring 3x/year. Dead strings lose elasticity and increase arm stress even before they snap.
Can I drop off during my appointment?
Absolutely. Many patients bring their racquet in for a tune-up while they get their own. Drop off at any visit or call ahead for a dedicated slot.
Book a 60-minute structural evaluation. We'll identify the mechanical source of your injury and give you a clear return-to-play plan — not just advice to rest.