How Physical Therapy Can Help You Prevent Pickleball Injuries

Nov 10, 2022

Pickleball Injuries, Physical Therapy

Do your friends keep asking you to play Pickleball but you’re worried about getting hurt? Has pain kept you on the sidelines, or has it been years since you played any sports? If you are ready to get active again but don’t know where to start, our physical therapists can help! At Austin Physical Therapy, our physical therapists are skilled at assessing your physical capabilities to ensure you are safe and ready to get out and play with your friends. We provide clear guidance on resolving your aches and pains and preparing your body to tolerate the demands of an active lifestyle! Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, and the game is gaining more and more players daily. It is especially popular with older, retired folks looking to stay active and enjoy the social aspects associated with the game. People often jump into a new activity, or when resuming a sport they haven’t played in a long time, forgetting their bodies don’t move quite the same as they did just a few years ago. Our muscles undergo changes that impact our ability to react and change directions with the same speed and stability. Unfortunately, these changes can lead to trips and falls while playing, resulting in injuries that prevent us from participating. At Austin Physical Therapy, our physical therapists have proven success working with people of all ages to recover from injury and resume whatever sport they enjoy. Call today so we can help you resolve any problem and prepare your bodies to pivot, turn, and chase down the ball!

Improving your balance and coordination can reduce your risk of injury

Falling is one of the most common causes of injury while playing Pickleball. Players attempt to get to a ball just outside their reach, losing their balance and falling. For some, it is trying to backpedal to reach an overhead ball, while others try changing directions to get that backhand shot. Two of the most common fall-related injuries associated with Pickleball are a fractured wrist and a torn rotator cuff muscle. Both injuries occur from landing on an outstretched arm/hand. As we get older, our bodies cannot react the same as when we are younger, and we are not able to tolerate the impact either. The good news is that our physical therapists at Austin Physical Therapy can help you improve your body’s ability to react and stay on your feet. Our team will identify the factors contributing to coordination and balance impairments and give you the tools to improve these abilities. Coordination is defined as the interaction of our muscles to execute smooth, accurate, controlled responses proficiently. One of the most critical aspects of coordination is selecting the right muscle at the right time with proper intensity to achieve the appropriate action. Our team can work with you to train your muscles to respond with appropriate speed, distance, direction, and timing. When we get multiple muscles working coordinated, we can perform the desired activity. As we age, we all suffer from a loss of muscle mass. This significantly affects function in all activities, contributing to a reduction in balance, reduced gait speed, and increased risk of falls. Fortunately, you can improve your dynamic stability through proper balance training drills. At Austin Physical Therapy, our therapists will design exercises that strengthen your muscles and neuromuscular control so you can safely participate in Pickleball and any other activity!

What to anticipate from your physical therapy appointments

Our physical therapists will start your initial evaluation with a thorough history to understand past injuries and your overall health status. Our assessments will also include an injury evaluation and a movement assessment to identify all the factors contributing to any limitation affecting your balance, coordination, and overall function. We will use this information to develop a comprehensive program that provides targeted manual techniques, mobility work, strengthening, and any appropriate pain relief technique for the individual. Next, we will conduct a detailed balance assessment. Our assessment will test the following systems:

Somatosensory system (i.e., neural structures that detect touch, temperature, body position, and pain)
The vestibular system (sensory system responsible for providing information about motion, head position, and spatial orientation)
Musculoskeletal systems (i.e., strength, range of motion, joint health, etc.)

Your physical therapist will use this information to ensure you restore or improve your balance and coordination so you can safely return to sports like Pickleball. We’ll help you reach your goals and ensure your body is ready to participate safely in the activities you love!

Request an appointment at Austin Physical Therapy today!

At Austin Physical Therapy, our therapists have proven success in helping athletes of all ages and abilities recover and prepare for the sports they love. Call today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists so we can make sure you are playing Pickleball at your peak abilities!

How Physical Therapy Can Help You Prevent Pickleball Injuries