Pickleball, a sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, has been rapidly growing in popularity. It’s a fun, social, and accessible game that players of all ages can enjoy. However, like any sport, pickleball comes with its own set of potential injuries.
Although seemingly similar to tennis, pickleball differs from tennis in multiple aspects, including the degree of running, court size, equipment size and weight, and scoring.
Most pickleball injuries are considered Slip/Trip/Fall/Dive events with Acceleration/Deceleration injuries making up much of the rest.
The three main types of injuries are:
Sprains and strains can occur in either the upper or lower body and we will discuss some of the common ones we see in this paper.
These injuries can significantly impact a player’s ability to partake in the game and affect their overall quality of life.
3 effective tips to relieve chronic pain on your own courtesy by Trimetrics Physiotherapy (Read the caption)
A proper warm-up is your first line of defense against injuries. Not only does a dynamic warm-up warm the body and bring blood flow to the muscles and joints used during play, it also stimulates your nervous system meaning faster reaction times, better performance and less chance of injury.
A well-rounded warm-up routine could include:
If you have some specific areas of tightness or specific questions relating to a region recovering from injury then please ask one of us at Trimetrics Physiotherapy and Clinical Pilates to help you formulate a specific plan for you.
An ounce of prevention…. Before an injury happens many patients tell us that they felt some tightness in the area that they had tried to “stretch out”. If you feel something is getting sore or tight then please check it out sooner rather than later.
If you do take an injury on the court then the RICE method is widely used for sports injuries:
The initial inflammatory injury phase will typically last 2 to 6 days. It’s often a good idea to have your injury diagnosed and treatment started. Bumps and bruises are one thing but pain in muscles and joints usually mean you should give us a call. The presence of muscle weakness, numbness or tingling means you should absolutely see a medical professional.
Physiotherapy plays a significant role in both treating and preventing pickleball injuries. A physiotherapist can provide a tailored exercise regimen to strengthen vulnerable areas, improve flexibility, and enhance muscle balance and coordination. In short we want to lengthen tight muscles, improve the movement of stiff joints and build the strength of weak muscles.
Give us a call at Trimetrics Physiotherapy and Clinical Pilates to discuss your pickleball injury, injury prevention or perhaps we can help you up your game by improving your agility or helping you deal with a small nagging issue.
Preventing injuries means you can enjoy pickleball for longer without the interruption of recovery periods. It contributes to long-term physical health, keeping you active and fit. Moreover, it ensures a longer playing career, allowing you to continue enjoying the social and competitive aspects of the sport.
In conclusion, while pickleball is a fun and engaging sport, it’s essential to take steps to prevent injuries. Remember, a proper warm-up, good posture, balance, and coordination, along with the guidance of a physiotherapist, can go a long way in keeping you safe on the court. Happy playing!
3 ways to relieve rotator cuff pain courtesy by Trimetrics Physiotherapy (Read the caption)
Truthfully it’s still early days and we do not fully know the answer to this however one of the things we are noticing is that there are a larger number of female players who are on the court every day and therefore some of these joint issues we’re seeing might have to do with overuse!
Probably a low back strain as a player reaches for a shot.
All kinds of people across different ages and genders. Pickleball is considered by some to be the fastest growing sport in Canada with estimated growth of 5,000-22,000 players in 2017 to over 350,000 players today!
Medical Disclaimer:
The information presented in this blog post is for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as medical advice. If you are seeking medical advice, treatment or a diagnosis, consult with a medical professional such as one suggested on this website. The Clinic Accelerator Inc. and the author of this page are not liable for the associated risks of using or acting upon the information contained in this article.
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