Injuries With volleyball athletes
Pushing Through Volleyball Pain is Costing You More Than Temporary Playing Time.
Volleyball is a sport of high-velocity repetitions and explosive movements. Whether it’s a sore shoulder from 1,000 reps between hitting and serving, a sudden ankle sprain from a tight net play, or persistent knee pain from constant "dive and jump" combos, the toll on the body is significant. Not only is it present in the older volleyball veterans but also in the newest members to the sport of volleyball.
As a manual physical therapist in Alpharetta, I’m seeing an increasing trend: pain and "aches" are starting at younger ages and progressing all the way through collegiate-level play. These are commonly looked on as the normal wear and tear of the game and often ignored or “worked through” as a dedication to reach the next level. What these athletes don’t know is: this is NOT normal. You should not push through an injury! When it starts to feel better its most likely because something else is compensating in it’s place. The repercussions? More injuries down the road.
Research indicates that the longer you stay in the game, the higher your risk of injury becomes. Interestingly, there is a notably higher risk of upper and lower extremity injuries in younger female athletes. Recent data focusing on female athletes (ages 10–19, with a median age of 15) shows that this population is particularly vulnerable to the demands of the sport.
When we evaluate a volleyball player in the clinic, we look at six research-backed factors:
Dominant Shoulder Mechanics: The primary driver of hitting power.
Frequency of Play: How many days a week are you on the court?
Past Injury History: The greatest predictor of future injury.
Multidirectional Movement: The ability to pivot and react.
Repetition: The sheer volume of swings.
Overuse vs Recovery: What does “off” season look like?
Common Volleyball Injuries We Treat
While research is still inconclusive on a "one size fits all" program, we know exactly where the breakdown usually happens:
The Shoulder: Overuse leading to labral issues, rotator cuff overloading, and GH/Scapular dyskinesia (where the shoulder blade doesn't move in sync with the arm).
The Knee: Patellar tendinopathy (Jumper’s Knee) from repetitive landing. ACL tears from harsh net plays. Knee pain from valgus in technique or muscle compensation.
The Ankle/Hand: Sprained ankles from net play and finger/thumb sprains from blocking/defended, fractures and sprains of wrist from diving plays.
The Spine: Thoracic dysfunction with notable compensatory hinge points, Sacroiliac Joint (SIJ) dysfunction from improper landing mechanics, Cervical spine instability due to whiplash from defensive movements.
How KIWI Makes a Difference
In a sport driven by "repetition and overuse," simply resting isn't enough. Our practice focuses on a hands-on approach to restore joint mechanics and soft tissue health. By addressing the "why" behind the pain—whether it’s a rib cage restriction affecting your serve or a pelvic misalignment impacting your jump—we help athletes get back to the court stronger than before. We find the root of the issue and fix the chain, not just the symptom. We work on keeping you on the court, limiting unnecessary “rest” times, and maxing out your potential without much set back.