Pickleball Perils: How to Stay in the Game, Injury-Free!
Oct 2, 2023 -- Posted by :Pickleball is a recreational sport growing in popularity in the United States. In fact, it’s become one of the fastest growing sports in America, and in the past three years, the player number has soared from 3.5 to 8.9 million! It’s easy to learn, promotes competitiveness and socialization, and is an excellent form of low-impact exercise. Unfortunately, pickleball is not without risk, and a game can result in an injury.
In 2021, researchers looked at data from emergency department visits between 2010 and 2019 and identified nearly 29,000 pickleball-related injuries among older adults. The most common diagnoses involved sprain/strains (32.2%), fractures (28.1%), and contusions (10.6%) with older men 3.5 times more likely than older women to suffer a sprain or strain injury and older women 3.7 times more likely than older men to sustain a fracture—including a nine-times greater risk for wrist fracture! These acute traumatic injuries can arise from falls, sudden turning or pivoting movements getting hit by a racket or paddle, getting hit by a ball, sudden bending over or hyperextending the spine, rolling an ankle, and running into the net, a fence, a wall, a chair or bench, a tree, or a fellow player.
Given the similarities in physical movements to tennis, individuals who engage in pickleball frequently might face an elevated risk of developing lateral epicondylitis, commonly referred to as tennis elbow. This painful condition arises when the tendons connecting to the elbow undergo excessive strain. Furthermore, pickleball players could be susceptible to various other musculoskeletal conditions associated with repetitive actions, including carpal tunnel syndrome.
Consequently, doctors of chiropractic may observe a rise in patients presenting with both acute traumatic musculoskeletal injuries and repetitive stress injuries over time. The treatment approach typically encompasses a multi-faceted strategy, incorporating manual therapies, specific exercises, modalities, nutritional guidance, and adjustments to daily activities. This comprehensive approach aims to restore normal joint motion, alleviate inflammation, and provide the injured area with the opportunity to heal.
Of note, the 2021 study found that 1 in 10 emergency room visits that involved pickleball were due to cardiovascular events. This in mind, if you are getting older and haven’t been physically active, talk to your doctor before starting an exercise routine—including pickleball. Additionally, dress appropriately for play, stretch before taking the court, drink plenty of water, and take breaks as needed. Don’t push yourself beyond your limits, pace yourself, and focus on having fun and being social with the other players.
So, if you are interested in no longer chasing your tail on the pain gerbil wheel and type in pain management near me or chiropractor near me, you may find Coast Chiropractic Centers with Dr. Timothy Harcourt, me, comes up.
You may wonder, “Is There a Better Way to Address Actually Fixing the Cause of the Pain?”
Once you have experienced the frustration of simply covering over the pain temporarily, you may be more enlightened to the idea of fixing the problem and then keep it that way. Some around you say one description of such an approach is called wellness care.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22742964/
Call me, Dr. Tim Harcourt, at Coast Chiropractic Centers at (239) 278-3344 or stop by on your day off if we’re near you for a walk in visit and mention this article for an awesome discounted first visit to include history, exam, and adjustment or Class IV high-intensity laser treatment. So if you find yourself experiencing lower back pain while running or doing physical activities.
If you feel like a gerbil on a perpetual pain wheel and you know it is negatively affecting your quality of life and keeping you from enjoying walks at Fort Myers Beach, playing golf, tennis, pickle ball or others, come see us at Coast Chiropractic Centers located on 7270 College Parkway.
Schedule Your Appointment Here
Coast Chiropractic Centers Map
If you would like to avoid getting back pain in the first place or to take a proactive approach to your health and wellness nearby, our membership program called Club C may be just the thing for you with great cost savings, convenience, and even more importantly, a plan to get your health back and keep it.
Don't let back pain stop you from enjoying the beautiful SWFL! Dr. Tim Harcourt is here to give you the relief you need.