PIckleball\u2019s popularity continues to grow in the U.S., attracting players of all ages and skill sets. This includes quick reflexes, mental strategy, and high-energy movements all combined on the pickleball court. Everything that you do, including participating in pickleball, can come with risks. With these repetitive movements, injuries can occur. You want to maximize your time on the court and take care of yourself between matches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some common injuries to look out for, and pickleball recovery strategies, including a sports massage for pickleball players that will help keep you out of a pickle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Playing pickleball works out your entire body, with a focus on your core, shoulders, and legs. From reaching to lunging and twisting yourself in unique ways, the agility can take a toll on your body. These are five common injuries to look out for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sprains can occur from quick twists, turns, or pivots while playing pickleball. It is an injury to a ligament that is stretched or even torn due to these quick moves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fractures occur when there is a crack or split in the bone when too much force is applied to it. Too much force could be you taking a fall on the pickleball court\u2019s hard surface, attempting to catch the fall with your arm, and ending up with a wrist fracture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your shoulders can bear the brunt of the repetitive motions of swinging a paddle in pickleball. When the shoulder is overused, a rotator cuff can tear, which causes pain and some difficulty limiting your arm’s range of motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tendonitis occurs when a tendon is inflamed, which can cause it to swell and be painful. This can limit your range of motion due to the pain and swelling from the impacted area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While many have heard of tennis elbow, pickleball elbow is the same phenomenon called lateral epicondylitis, which is a focused type of tendonitis in the elbow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As with any injury, you want to take care of yourself, listen to your medical team, listen to your body, and only take on physical movements that are approved by that team during your recovery time. You\u2019ll be back on the court in no time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everyone\u2019s routine may look different for mitigating injury based on your lifestyle, history of injuries, and overall health. If you\u2019re recovering from an injury related to pickleball, you could be off the court for a while. When in doubt, contact your physician to ensure you are taking the optimal steps to mitigate common injuries faced in pickleball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some pickleball preparation and recovery steps you can take before and after you spend time on the court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our body releases sweat as a way of regulating body temperature during physical activity. Drinking water regularly can help your body stay hydrated and in balance for peak performance. Electrolytes or other vitamin supplementation can help mitigate dehydration so you can continue playing without negative side effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The investment into what shoes you wear, to the paddle you hold during a pickleball match can help you to mitigate injuries on the court. Investing the time into proper technique and the right tools for the sport will pay off in dividends when it comes to your health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before, during, and after a match are all great opportunities to stretch your limbs out. The two benefits of stretching include increased flexibility and mobility. Pickleball\u2019s multiplanar movements mean that you should spend up to ten minutes prioritizing stretches around the common injury areas, such as the shoulder, leg, and back muscles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a form of heat therapy, steam rooms, and saunas can play a part in one\u2019s pickleball recovery by relaxing the muscles. This reduces the impact of muscle contraction after intense movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n