Pickleball Injury

Treatments For Pickleball Injuries in Charleston, SC

Are you suffering from an injury after playing pickleball? Looking for relief from pain and searching for a non-surgical, drug free solution? At Axis Chiropractic, we specialize in treating patients with injuries from playing pickleball. Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It is played on a court with a similar layout to a badminton court, using a modified tennis net. Players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit a perforated plastic ball, similar to a wiffle ball, back and forth over the net. Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles and can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels.

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Common Injuries in Pickleball

Pickleball is generally considered a low-impact sport, which means it's less likely to result in severe injuries compared to high-impact sports like basketball or football. However, like any physical activity, pickleball can still lead to injuries, especially if proper precautions are not taken. Common injuries from pickleball may include:

Sprains and strains: Twisting or overextending movements during gameplay can lead to sprains or strains in the ankles, knees, wrists, or shoulders.
Tennis elbow (Lateral epicondylitis): Repetitive swinging motions, particularly with poor technique or inadequate warm-up, can cause inflammation and pain in the tendons of the elbow.
Rotator cuff injuries: Overhead shots and repetitive swinging motions can strain the muscles and tendons of the shoulder, leading to rotator cuff injuries.
Pickleball shoulder: The repetitive overhead motion involved in serving and smashing can lead to shoulder pain and inflammation, commonly referred to as "pickleball shoulder."
Back injuries: Twisting or reaching movements during gameplay can strain the muscles and ligaments of the back, leading to lower back pain or injuries.
Pulled muscles: Sudden movements or overexertion can result in pulled or strained muscles, particularly in the legs, groin, or back.
Achilles tendonitis: The quick stops and starts involved in pickleball can strain the Achilles tendon, leading to inflammation and pain.
Blisters and abrasions: Friction from footwear or repetitive movements can cause blisters and abrasions on the feet or hands.
Impact injuries: Collisions with other players or objects on the court can result in bruises, contusions, or even more severe injuries such as fractures in rare cases.

How Can Chiropractors play a role in helping people prevent injuries associated with pickleball:

Chiropractors can play a role in helping prevent pickleball injuries by focusing on several key areas:

Preventive Education: Chiropractors can educate pickleball players about proper warm-up techniques, stretching exercises, and injury prevention strategies. This may include guidance on maintaining proper posture, body mechanics, and form during gameplay to reduce the risk of strain or overuse injuries.
Musculoskeletal Assessment: Chiropractors are trained to assess the musculoskeletal system for imbalances, weaknesses, or areas of tension that may predispose individuals to injury. Through a thorough evaluation, chiropractors can identify potential risk factors and develop personalized strategies to address them.
Spinal Alignment: Chiropractors can perform spinal adjustments and manipulations to improve spinal alignment and mobility. Proper spinal alignment can help optimize nerve function, enhance range of motion, and reduce the likelihood of injuries related to poor posture or spinal dysfunction.
Soft Tissue Therapy: Chiropractors may utilize soft tissue techniques such as massage, myofascial release, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) to address muscle tightness, adhesions, and trigger points. By releasing tension and improving tissue flexibility, these therapies can help prevent strains and sprains during pickleball gameplay.
Joint Mobilization: Chiropractors can perform joint mobilization techniques to improve joint mobility and stability, particularly in areas commonly affected by pickleball movements, such as the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles. Enhanced joint function can reduce the risk of overuse injuries and improve overall performance on the court.
Functional Rehabilitation: Chiropractors may prescribe specific exercises and functional rehabilitation programs to address muscular imbalances, improve proprioception, and enhance neuromuscular control. These programs aim to strengthen the muscles supporting the joints and improve coordination, reducing the risk of falls and injuries during pickleball play.
Injury Management: In the event of an injury, chiropractors can provide comprehensive care to facilitate healing and recovery. This may include manual therapy techniques, therapeutic modalities, rehabilitative exercises, and ergonomic recommendations to support the healing process and prevent recurrence of injury.

By integrating these approaches, chiropractors can help pickleball players optimize their musculoskeletal health, minimize the risk of injuries, and enhance their performance and enjoyment of the sport. It's important for players to communicate with their chiropractors about any existing injuries, concerns, or goals to receive personalized care and guidance tailored to their individual needs.