Pickleball Power: Keeping Your Game Strong and Your Body Healthy
Whether you're a seasoned player or just picking up a pickleball paddle for the first time, prioritizing safety is key to enjoying this dynamic sport for years to come. This blog will journey into how to stay safe while playing this popular sport and what to do when injuries arise.
What is Pickleball?
This sport involves a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. It combines elements of badminton, tennis and ping-pong. There are no age or skill level constrictions to this game making it a family friendly choice for the summertime. Although this sport can be played indoors, many people find it as an enjoyable way to spend a nice spring/summer afternoon in the sun! It is a very fun, friendly, and social sport that is simple to learn and play.
The Benefits of Pickleball
There are a range of reasons why this social sport can be beneficial for your health. For older generations, it offers less stress on the joints. There are no overhand serves compared to tennis which is beneficial for the shoulders. Benefits also arise from the quick thinking required in the game. Studies have shown improvement in cognitive function and hand-eye coordination overtime. Keeping your body active with this form of low impact cardio can improve balance, agility and flexibility. This sport is also great cardio that gets your heart rate up. Your body benefits from this by lowering the risk of heart disease and improving cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
The low impact nature of the sport can help reduce bone loss and help conserve bone tissue. It can be played both inside and outside making it a year-round activity. The game can also be played by individuals in a wheelchair. Overall, this sport has been shown to improve many individuals' lifestyles, and they also find friends along the way.
Proactive Safety Strategies for Players
Here are some general safety tips to ensure you stay injury free this spring!
Use proper equipment- This includes supportive shoes that allow for lateral stability and a properly fitted racquet so you avoid potential injury. It is a good idea to look into orthotics if you are experiencing pain in the foot, ankle, knee, hip or lower back to ensure your foot and ankle mechanics are in the proper, critical sequence for pickleball this season.
Warm up before playing- This is a very important step as your muscles, joints, and heart need to get warmed up before exercise. This will help prevent pulled muscles or cramping that would be avoided with a proper warm up.
Hydrate- Make sure you are drinking water throughout play because sweating and breathing can lead the body to lose water. Replenishing that will help to boost your energy and avoid any dizziness or uncomfort in your stomach.
Communicate with your partner- Watch for any obstacles on the court and ensure to vocalize any hazards or if any injuries happen. For this sport you definitely want to ensure no one falls due to a pickleball ball being left in the area of play.
Consider eye protection- For those who wear eyeglasses, protective prescription eyewear would be a good purchase to avoid cracking your lenses or damaging your eye during a game. If you do not wear glasses, it should be a consideration if you play pickleball often to invest in impact resistant sports glasses.
Work on your mobility- Although this is a relatively low-impact sport, when playing competitively there can be quick twists and turns done that can lead to injury if you're not working on your mobility. This can be done by stretching or yoga, taking the time to move with your body and understanding where it is tight and needs to be stretched more. At Westside chiropractic we want to ensure you are on the right track with injury recovery so we provide personalized treatments to prevent injuries from becoming recurring.
Addressing Pickleball Injuries
The most common pickleball injuries are:
Knee injury
Rotator cuff injury
Tennis elbow
Injury of Achilles tendon
Low back injury or strain
Listen to your body and pay attention to any signs of discomfort or pain during and after play. Ignoring minor aches and pains can lead to more serious injuries down the line, so don't hesitate to seek professional advice at Westside Chiropractic if something doesn't feel right.
We can perform spinal adjustments to realign the vertebrae, relieve pressure on nerves, and promote proper healing of injuries like spinal misalignments caused by repetitive motions used in this sport.
Other techniques such as massage therapy, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy can help reduce inflammation, alleviate muscle tension, and improve range of motion in injured areas.
Our goal is to help you find a way to heal that suits your lifestyle and comfort level. We are here to help you get back on the pickleball court! Experiencing an injury related to sports? Feel free to book an appointment today!
