Chiropractic Treatment of Pickleball Injuries
Houston Chiropractor Comments: Pickleball is a popular sport, unfortunately it also is causing an increase in injuries. Of the 22 million players of the sport, almost a third of them are seniors. Seniors also account for 86% of the emergency room visits. Over the last six months, we have seen a couple patients a month that have been injured while playing the sport.
Since it began in the 1960’s, it was seen as way for people to get exercise while playing a sport similar to tennis. According to CBS, it is now on track to cause almost $500 million in injuries in 2023.
According to a 2021 medical study, 60% of pickleball injuries are sprains, strains, and fractures. Twenty percent of the injuries are contusions and abrasions, and 10% are lacerations or dislocations.
What I have noticed with my patients is that half of them had played competitive sports when they were younger. Their mind is telling them that they can run, jump, and swing like they could when they were younger, but their body cannot perform at that level. The other half of my patients have never been very active, but they want to play the sport as a social activity. They have a hard time getting their bodies to adapt to the repetitive motions that the game requires.
The best advice that I have is to begin playing the game slowly. Start by just playing one game a day and do not play on consecutive days. This helps to minimize the sprain strain injuries. Get comfortable walking for 20 minutes. This will help your cardiovascular fitness so that you can move about the court. Work on your balance. It is common to fall after bending and twisting rapidly in a game. You can do this by walking on uneven surfaces or spending some time on a balance board. Begin to play more after 2 or 3 weeks when your body has begun to get use to the new activity. Finally, remember that is just a game. You do not have to win every point. Take time just to enjoy the comradery.
If you do get injured, then we can help you recover from your sprain strain injuries. We can also adjust your spine to help you perform at your maximum potential. We are here to help you enjoy all of your activities of life.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
