Perfect Tennis Serve - 3 Tips To Frustrate Your Opponents With Your Serve

The tennis serve is a vital stroke in tennis as you are in control of the point. You could give them all away to your opponent and hinder your chances of winning or you can knock out consistent, accurate, powerful and all round deadly serves putting your opponent into defensive mode and putting you in control! You don't have this type of serve (if you did why would you be reading this?) but by simply following the simple tips below you can have the perfect tennis serve that will DEMAND respect from your opponent.

Tip 1 - Master The Footwork

Some people think that the footwork isn't that important but it is! Just like any other sport footwork (or stance) is important. In tennis the stance will provide you with stability and power!

Your stance should be facing your opponent side-on, your feet shoulder width apart, knees bent and front foot away from the baseline.

As mentioned this stance will give you the power and stability and it will also prepare you for the serve return from your opponent.

Tip 2 - Practice

Practice makes perfect so go and practice! There are two ways you can go and practice...

• Going out and hitting the ball over and over again (a good method but a lot of risk with injury)


• Tennis serve drills are drills (not only fun but very efficient with teaching you how to serve properly)

Tip 3 - Add Some Finishing Touches

Once you have learnt how to create the perfect serve why not add some finishing touches. By this I mean adding some topspin or an American kick that will really frustrate your opponent beyond belief if executed properly.

Chronic Knee Dislocation - When Things Don't Line Up Right - Knee Braces That Can Help

How is your kneecap (patella) doing? Do you have problems with it being unstable?

Chronic knee dislocation is a term often used to describe a dislocation or displacement of the knee cap. It is different from a traumatic dislocation, which is a very serious matter, usually caused by severe trauma to the knee. With a traumatic knee dislocation, the upper and lower leg bones are separated at the knee, and significant damage is usually sustained to the structures both in and around the knee joint (i.e. torn ligaments, vascular injury, etc.). A traumatic dislocation is extremely painful, generally requires immediate medical attention, and often requires surgery to repair the damage to the joint. If you have any reason to suspect that you have a traumatic dislocation, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. A chronic knee dislocation, on the other hand, is also quite painful, but in many instances, can be treated more conservatively.

With chronic knee dislocation, the knee cap (otherwise called the patella) slips out of place and generally causes irritation, inflammation and a sensation that the knee is weak or "giving out." Basically, the triangular bone we know as the knee cap is designed to move smoothly over the top of the femur (upper leg bone), staying within a certain groove which nature designed for that purpose. When chronic knee cap dislocation occurs, the cap strays outside of that groove, adversely affecting the other structures (i.e. muscles, tendons, ligaments, etc.) in and around the knee. Consequently, the knee does not bend properly, feels stiff, achy or painful, and may appear swollen. Your knee may also make a "popping" sound upon movement. This condition may come and go as the cap slips in and out of the groove, and the pain from chronic knee dislocation may vary in intensity.

Generally, if the condition becomes severe enough and if it significantly interferes with your activities, you may need to discuss your options, including possible surgery, with your physician. However, in the interim, the use of a brace may help relieve the condition and allow you to function more normally without experiencing frequent chronic knee dislocation.

Knee braces come in a variety of styles and types. Generally, though, one of the main purposes of a knee brace in this instance, is to keep your knee cap in its proper position within the femoral groove. A knee brace can also help lend support to the knee joint so that the pressure and stress that might contribute to chronic knee dislocation are somewhat relieved, making it less likely that the knee cap will be pulled out of alignment. Knee braces do allow for movement, and you can likely perform most, if not all, of your usual activities while wearing one. They are adjustable to fit most knees, are easy to use, and are relatively affordable, especially when compared to other treatment options, such as surgery or extensive therapy.

Child Like Faith: Asking

It has long been said that to enter the kingdom of Christ you must have child like faith (Matthew 18: look after post for text), but what does that mean? A few days ago, on my 20th birthday, I was thinking about faith. I was thinking about what it means to be like a child and if I could still have this illusive and much needed faith type. "Child-Like Faith" is interesting to me right now, and it begs more of my time than just one post, so all comments are fair game for next post. Also I just found an example of the view of Child Like Faith I am considering over at http://www.jonsplace.org.

A child walks into a field; he sees the moon cresting over the distant trees. The boy points to the big white ball and smiles real big. "Daddy, Daddy what is that?" he asks, now jumping up and down, earnestly waiting his father to answer. "The moon, son, it's the moon." The boy looks out at the white dot and says "moon", never questioning the ramifications of such a name, or the possibility of it as a lie.

In the tale I crafted the boy seeks an answer from his "all knowing" father. In Matthew 7:7 (look after post for text) we are told to seek our answers from God, much like the little boy did with his father, and though Christians ask God to help with things do we really expect him to help?

I hear stories from my Christian friends fighting temptation. No matter how hard they fight the temptation they keep failing. They look on the internet for ways to stop the temptation, for the "five steps to the pure and healthy life every Christian should live". They pace down the isles at their local book stores for "ten simple recipes that won't make you fat but will fill you up", or "101 ways to keep a clean love life" but how often do they fall on their knees and in cry out for help? I tell the same stories, for we all have these temptations, and who desire God's help first. We will relay on the wisdom of man before we will rely on the wisdom of the Lord. Though we are struck with confusion, much like the little boy is struck with awe, we don't ask the Father to clarify, we do not have the faith to say "God help me?" But is it just a cry God wants?

I have now painted a grim picture of Christianity. I have made Christians into people who only turn to God when He is the last door left unopened. This picture is rather strong, and in some ways incomplete. They're some Christians who would say I have lied about my brothers by saying such things as sated above, but I would like to ask such people this: when you pray for help before you have no other option do you listen? If so comment, tell me how you keep such focus on Christ I would love to know, but if you don't, why?

Last week when I was homeless my friends and I went dumpster diving. It was the first night, and in the spirit of gathering cardboard boxes we set off. It was a rather non-productive trip, filled with jokes about eating the food we found in a Subway dumpster. On the way back to the chapel (where we slept) one of my friends decided to play ding-dong-ditch. It was rather funny watching a grown man of twenty-two run up to a flat and ring the door bell and than sprint back to the cover a near by bridge lent us. I think this is how most Christians are with God. We ring the door bell and than before the ringing is done we run off and try to solve the problem. We tell God something is up, but than we run off into the night to solve the problem. Instead we should be like the child for the child does not doubt his dad's assertion but we doubt God's. The kid is told "this is how it is" and takes it as such, but when God tries to tell us how things are, we run off into the night, yelling at the moon creating our own names for it. And the father shakes his head.

Next I want to talk about "Why we don't trust our parents anymore and how this effects our Child-Like Faith" but until than... a quote.

Quote:

JD: "Who decides these ranking things anyways, next time they want to rank something they should ask me?"

ME: "What about the world biggest penis?"

-Chase

Matthew 7:7-12

7: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

8: For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

9: Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

10:Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11: If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

12: Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 18:1-5

1: At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

2: Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them,

3: and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

4: Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5: Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

How to Stop Sore Knees When Bending - What You Can Do About It! - An Overview

How sore are your knees? - We would like to know.

Is the pain constant, or does it come on occasionally?

Are you looking for a way out of this problem, because you might have more serious stuff to worry about, rather than a sore knee? - Like your job and your family...

Thousands of people throughout the world are inflicted with pain and sore knees when bending. This can be brought on by overuse and exertion of the muscles and cartilage found in and around the knees. When you have a ligament injury the soreness can also set in. - Maybe you can relate to these examples?

This type of pain is commonly seen in men and women who work and are on their feet the majority of the day. Of course, people who participate in sports are more likely to suffer from knee discomfort as well. When an active person is constantly bending their knees these problems pop up; you already know this to be true. You might already know how your knee discomfort sets in, but an important treatment method that you might not consider on a regular basis is located in the following section of this article.

Solutions To Avoid Having Sore Knees When Bending

There many common and simple solutions that a person can take to avoid ever experiencing extreme knee pain. Sure rest can be helpful, but most people do not have a ton of time, nor can we take off of work to rest our knee for six weeks.

The support and pain relief option that some people do not think about can be found in the use of a simple knee brace. The great thing about a knee support is that you can get one quickly and over the long term, they can be far less costly than that of any pain medication. A knee brace can provide you with meaningful relief and support, if you are a person who is constantly bending and overusing their knee in such a regular and systematic way.

You should never ignore knee pain and simply hope it goes away. You should also not try to make the effects of knee pain go away by simply taking pain medication. Taking medication will only make the symptoms leave when you are experiencing pain and can become addictive unfortunately. Instead, many people can replace their medications with the use of a support, and save some serious cash on their pain relief while increasing their knee stability at the same time.

Knee Pain in Women - Causes and Treatments

Anterior knee pain in women is very common and affects 1 in 5 women, mostly between the ages of 14-25 and then 40-60.

This is mainly due to the fact that women have slightly larger pelvis' than men, and as such, the pull on the kneecap is slightly more angled compared to a smaller pelvis, commonly seen in men. This abnormal pull, coupled with their lax joints (again found more in men than in women) can pull the kneecap (or patella) out of alignment and give rise to anterior or patellofemoral knee pain. Early diagnosis is essential, as research shows that if this condition becomes established and incorrectly treated, surgery can be the most likely outcome.

Most of the damage if prolonger can affect the cartilage behind the knee cap where if untreated can lead to permanent damage and even arthritis in years to come. This is why essential diagnosis is early to prevent this from being long term.

Treatment of anterior knee pain includes aggressive physiotherapy, joint injections of steroid and surgery. Physiotherapy can help, but exercises alone will not work. A combination of the right manipulation skills, massage around the knee, laser and ultrasound treatment, and more importantly the right exercises are the key, says Dr Solomon Abrahams who specialises and lectures at several universities in this area.

If you would like to see Dr Solomon Abrahams to help identify and solve any knee conditions you might have he can be contacted through his website at www.quickrecovery.co.uk

Sharp Knee Pain - Knee Braces That Support Bad Knees

Are you currently experiencing sharp knee pain problems?

Would you say that your knee discomfort is more like a sharp knee pain?

When you try move your knees in certain ways, do your knees scream in pain, or make nasty popping, crunching sounds?

Many people, young and old alike, experience knee pain in their knees. For some individuals, the knee discomfort can get so bad that basic knee functions make life a chore. - While avoiding the activities that cause pain may be one way to deal with the issue, it is certainly a difficult way to live, especially if you are an otherwise active and energetic person. Your mobility is limited, your activities are curtailed, and the pain is like a red flag that stops you from doing things you would like to do. This is a difficult way to go through life.

So, what are the choices? How can you decrease your knee pain and get moving again with confidence? You might have looked around and found other possible options to be less than optimal for you. Expensive, unpleasant surgery? Sleeping with a bottle of pain killers at your bedside? Long, time consuming sessions of physical or occupational therapy?

Fortunately, there is another alternative available. If you are one of the silent sufferers of knee pain when actively using your knee, the solution to your problem may be something as simple, convenient and non-invasive as a knee brace.

Knee pain upon squatting or bending can be caused by a number of conditions, and only a qualified specialist can definitively diagnose your condition. However, whether the pain being caused by a misaligned or shifting patella (knee cap), too much stress on the muscles and ligaments in the knee, or any other of a number of conditions, chances are a knee brace can help. Not only can a knee brace offer additional support to the ligaments in the knee, but it can also help keep the knee correctly aligned and help keep the knee cap in place.

Although evaluation by a qualified physician is always recommended, a knee brace, used alone or in conjunction with other medical treatment, could be your ticket to freedom from pain and a return to normal mobility.

Now, if you are thinking that a custom made knee brace is simply out of reach financially, "brace" yourself for some more good news: the support you use does not necessarily have to be custom made. This means that you can save hundreds if not a thousand dollars. There are many kinds of knee support available on the market; some, soft and flexible, others, hinged and more rigid. Consequently, there is bound to be one that is right for you.

Joint Pains Not Inevitable Due to Aging- Arthritis Care Advice for Indians

Creaky, achy joints, a twinge in the knee, a sharp shooting pain from the shoulder to the elbow, No big deal, right?

Wrong. All too often, we assume joint pain is a normal part of aging that we just have to learn to live with. Nothing could be further from the truth.

"Many people in India know very little about joint pain," Contrary to what many may think, joint pain is not an inevitable part of aging. Unless someone has suffered an injury such as breaking a leg, joint pain in the 50-plus age group usually means osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease in which the joints' natural shock absorber -- Cartilage -- begins to break down. Without their protective layer, bones begin to scrape against one other, causing joint pain and thwarting movement.

But never make a diagnosis by yourself. "The average person may not be able tell if it's the joint, a torn tendon or ligament, or pain in the area of the joint. An orthopaedic surgeon needs to evaluate you to make sure you do in fact have joint pain and why."

X-rays can sometimes show changes that indicate cartilage breakdown, but often, the images are inconclusive. "Physical exam, MRI, and bone scans can all be helpful in establishing a diagnosis that is not evident on X-ray."

While there is no conservative cure for joint pain, you can find relief. Treatments range from lifestyle changes to medications to surgery -- and should usually be tried in that order.

Lifestyle Changes

If you are overweight, the first step is to loose weight. A recent study shows that losing as little as 11 pounds (5 kilos) can decrease the risk of osteoarthritis of the knee by 50%. The next step is to work with a physical therapist to develop an exercise program that's right for you. Walking, and other low-impact exercises that don't put pounding pressure on the joints are helpful but high impact exercises such as jogging should usually be avoided. "Exercise is a lifetime commitment," I recommend that patients work out for 40 minutes at a time, three or four days a week. Wearing the correct footwear is also important. A regular and brisk morning walk for one hour (recent recommendation) will usher in a feeling of well being and is excellent all-round exercise. Putting all your joints through a full range of movement will go a long way in preventing stiffness.

Medications

If lifestyle changes don't ease your pain, medication is often prescribed. For mild pain, a simple painkiller can often help. Heat or cold therapy can often provide temporary pain relief. For more prolonged pain which is not amenable to simple drugs, your orthopedician in India will write you up for an anti- inflammatory drug. Although this latest generation of drugs has come under fire recently in the US, their capacity to alleviate pain in the elderly for short durations is welcome. If Knee pain is due to osteoarthritis, Glucosamine could be useful in the early stages. An orthopedic surgeon may choose to supplement the fluid in your knee with a synthetic substance which improves the viscosity of the joint fluid and ameliorates pain.

Surgery including Joint Replacement-

Joint replacements are advised for the elderly person with severe knee or other joint pain. For the young person, I perform some form of cartilage surgery in which the focal damaged areas of cartilage are repaired by surgery. This is an alternative available for young patients as they need not wait to attain the senior citizen's age (> 70) to get a joint replacement. Meniscal suture and Ligament reconstruction in the knee help to restore the mechanical stability for those sportspersons with knee injuries. These will postpone the advent of osteoarthritis. In those unlucky to have had a complete Menisectomy (complete removal of the semi- lunar cartilage) of the knee, Meniscal transplant will be available in Chennai soon. At present this surgery is confined to a few centres in the US and Europe.

For senior citizens if all else fails to relieve your pain and disability, your doctor may recommend surgery in which an arthritic or damaged joint is removed and replaced with an artificial joint called prosthesis.

The artificial joints, fashioned out of metal and plastic, can be as good as the real thing, restoring movement and function.
"Joint replacement is extremely successful, lasting over 20 years for more than 90% of patients," The procedure is becoming increasingly safer and less invasive.

In summary, prompt consultation with your orthopedic surgeon will lead to earlier diagnosis and effective treatment of joint pain and improve the quality of many lives affected by this common malady.