Playing Pickleball? Here’s How Physiotherapy and Chiropractic Care Can Keep You Injury-Free

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in Canada and across North America. It’s fun, social, and accessible for players of all ages—but it’s also hard on the body. If you’re a regular on the court, chances are you’ve felt the aches and pains that come with quick pivots, repetitive motions, and sudden stops.

At Pain Free Health Clinic, we see a growing number of pickleball players dealing with injuries. The good news? With the right care—physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment, and preventative strategies—you can recover quickly and play at your best.

Most Common Pickleball Injuries We See

Even though pickleball is considered low-impact, it can still cause significant strain on muscles, joints, and tendons. Here are some of the most common injuries:

1. Tennis Elbow

Overuse of the forearm muscles can lead to inflammation and pain on the outside of the elbow. This is especially common with improper technique or frequent play.

2. Rotator Cuff Strain

Serving and overhead shots can irritate the shoulder, leading to pain and weakness, especially in the rotator cuff.

3. Ankle Sprains and Foot Injuries

Quick lateral movements make ankle injuries common. Without proper footwear and warm-up, sprains and plantar fasciitis can develop.

4. Knee Strain

Pivoting and lunging stress the knees, especially if you have underlying issues like patellofemoral syndrome or early arthritis.

5. Low Back Pain

Sudden twisting and bending can strain the lower back, particularly if your core strength and flexibility aren’t where they should be.

How Physiotherapy Can Help Pickleball Players

Our licensed physiotherapists specialize in sports injuries and tailor your treatment to your needs, fitness level, and playing style.

Here’s how physiotherapy can help:

• Assess movement and strength imbalances that may be causing pain
• Create a personalized rehab plan for faster recovery
• Use hands-on techniques like manual therapy, soft tissue release, and dry needling
• Teach corrective exercises to prevent recurring injuries
• Build sport-specific strength and mobility

Whether you’re recovering from an injury or want to improve performance, physiotherapy is essential for long-term joint and muscle health.

How Chiropractic Care Supports Pickleball Athletes

Our chiropractors at Pain Free Health Clinic work closely with our physio team to help you move better and reduce pain through a whole-body approach.

Chiropractic care helps by:

• Improving Mobility via spinal and extra-spinal manipulative therapy
• Easing tension in tight muscles and tendons via hands on manual therapy
• Improving posture and spinal health
• Reducing inflammation through joint adjustments and soft tissue therapy
• Preventing compensation injuries that happen when your body overuses other areas to protect an injured one

For many of our patients, combining chiro and physio delivers the best results for performance and recovery.

How Shockwave Therapy Accelerates Healing for Pickleball Injuries

One of the most effective tools we offer for stubborn or chronic injuries is Shockwave Therapy—a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate healing.

Shockwave Therapy is especially effective for:

• Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
• Rotator cuff tendinopathy
• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendinitis
• Chronic knee or hip pain

Benefits of Shockwave Therapy:

• Breaks up scar tissue and calcification
• Boosts circulation and collagen production
• Stimulates the body’s natural healing response
• Reduces pain without medication or injections
• Speeds up recovery when traditional treatments plateau

At Pain Free Health Clinic, we often combine Shockwave Therapy with physiotherapy and chiropractic care to treat the root cause of pain and support long-term healing.

When Should You See a Manual Therapist?

If you’re experiencing:

• Persistent pain during or after play
• Limited range of motion in your shoulder, elbow, or knee
• Swelling, bruising, or joint instability
• Back stiffness or recurring muscle spasms
• A previous injury that keeps flaring up

…it’s time to visit Pain Free Health Clinic. Early treatment prevents minor issues from turning into long-term problems.

Stay in the Game—Pain-Free

Whether you’re new to pickleball or a seasoned player, our team of physiotherapists and chiropractors is here to help you stay strong, flexible, and pain-free.

Book your sports injury assessment at Pain Free Health Clinic today and keep your body moving the way it was meant to.

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