The fastest growing sport in North America? Pickleball. The fastest growing source of injuries at Glenmore Chiropractic Clinic? Pickleball. The sport isn鈥檛 overly hazardous to our bodies, but a few bad habits can have you hobbling in for treatment.

鈥淥ne of the injury issues is a direct result of pickleball鈥檚 popularity 鈥� people love the game so much they鈥檙e playing for three hours in a day, three or four days in a row. It鈥檚 important to get adequate rest so your body has time to recover,鈥� says Glenmore Chiropractic鈥檚 .

Repetitive stress injuries like tennis elbow, shoulder tendonitis and achilles tendonitis grow gradually in many pickleball athletes, and low back strain from pickleball is also very common.

鈥淗ealthy or not, young or old, when the body鈥檚 not used to a movement and starts doing a lot of it, injuries are common. Most pickleball injuries don鈥檛 happen with one big swing. It鈥檚 usually an accumulation, progressively getting worse.鈥�

Tips for injury prevention

• Keep active through the winter: Many of us are more sedentary through the winter, so when pickleball season ramps up in the early spring our bodies aren鈥檛 ready. Incorporate whole body exercises like swimming or HIIT in winter, so your body鈥檚 ready to hit the court in spring.
• Change your shoes: 鈥淭ennis shoes can have too much grip for the sudden stops and starts of Pickleball. I recommend court shoes, which have a smoother sole to help prevent ankle rolls and impact strain on your muscles.鈥�
• Warm up: 鈥淒o some gentle twists, lunges and bends to loosen up, and take a light jog around the court to get your heart rate up before you start playing,鈥� Dr. Harris says.
• Bend your knees: Newer players often bend at the waist, which is hard on your back and can lead to disc bulge or muscle strain. While you鈥檙e playing remember to bend your knees and allow your upper body to coil and uncoil as needed.
• Listen to your body: At the first sign of repetitive stress, take a break, and allow your body time to adjust.

Pickleball injury treatment

A from a chiropractor like Dr. Harris can improve flexibility and the mechanics of your Pickleball swing, reducing low back strain. For tendonitis and ankle strains, Dr. Harris recommends .

鈥淭endonitis creates a type of scar tissue which causes muscle fibres to become more rigid, and more prone to injury. Shockwave Therapy breaks up that scar tissue. We can use it as a form of prevention or as a treatment, and it鈥檚 just as effective on new, acute injuries or 60-year-old chronic injuries,鈥� Dr. Harris says. 鈥淪hockwave Therapy stimulates new growth by increasing blood flow to injured muscles and tendons.鈥�

Dr. Harris was one of the first practitioners in BC to offer Shockwave Therapy, and remains a leader in its treatment. Learn more by visiting Glenmore Chiropractic Clinic or book an today!