The good news: with the right warm-up routine, smart prevention strategies, and proactive chiropractic care, you can stay on the court longer, stronger, and pain-free.
Learn more about how our Chiropractic Care supports pain relief, mobility, and whole-body wellness for active adults.

Common Pickleball Injuries

Because pickleball combines bursts of speed with repetitive swinging, several areas of the body are especially prone to overuse and strain:

Pickleball Elbow Pain

Similar to “tennis elbow,” this overuse injury stems from repetitive paddle swings. It causes pain on the outside of the elbow and can make gripping or lifting difficult. Chiropractic adjustments and rehabilitative exercises help reduce joint stress, restore mobility, and improve shoulder stability—easing symptoms and reducing the risk of flare-ups.

Pickleball Shoulder Pain

Overhead serves and fast volleys often irritate the rotator cuff, leading to tendonitis or impingement. Shoulder pain is one of the most common complaints among players. Chiropractic care, strength training, and soft tissue therapy can improve shoulder mechanics and reduce inflammation. Explore our Shoulder Pain Treatment page to understand how alignment and muscle balance contribute to recovery.

Pickleball Knee Pain

Quick lateral movements place stress on the knees—especially for players with arthritis or prior injuries. Stiffness, swelling, and instability are common. We focus on stabilizing the knees through spinal and pelvic adjustments, corrective exercise, and functional strength-building. These strategies support proper acceleration, quick stops, and cutting movements, helping you play confidently to hit that shot.

Pickleball Wrist Pain

Repetitive grip pressure and twisting motions inflame the wrist joints. New players are especially prone as they refine their swing. Early intervention can prevent this from becoming a chronic issue.

Why the Injury Rate Is Rising

Pickleball’s popularity means more people are playing more often. Many are adults returning to sports after years of less activity, which raises the risk of sprains, strains, and overuse injuries. As with all sports, your body needs a certain amount of strength and mobility to sustain long-term play. According to a 2023 report in the Journal of Emergency Medicine (NIH), pickleball-related injuries have increased sharply in the past five years, with the majority affecting players over age 50.

The Role of Chiropractic in Pickleball Injury Prevention

Chiropractic care is about more than just pain relief—it helps keep your body moving the way pickleball demands. From quick side-to-side lunges to overhead serves, proper alignment and mobility are key to protecting your joints and playing at your best. Our approach focuses on:

• Restoring joint alignment to reduce stress on common problem areas for pickleball players—elbows, shoulders, knees, and wrists.
• Improving spinal and pelvic balance, which supports better agility, quicker reaction time, and helps prevent compensatory strain during fast volleys and pivots.
• Guiding safe warm-up and stretching routines tailored to pickleball, so your body is prepared for rapid swings, lunges, and directional changes.
• Supporting quicker recovery after matches with techniques that reduce soreness, prevent overuse injuries, and keep you feeling strong for the next game.

Pickleball Warm-Up: A Chiropractor’s Perspective

A proper warm-up primes the body for movement and drastically lowers injury risk. Chiropractors recommend dynamic, game-specific movements such as:

• Light jogging or side shuffles to get the knees and hips ready for quick lateral movement.
• Arm circles and resistance band stretches to loosen shoulders for overhead serves and volleys.
• Wrist circles and grip squeezes to strengthen forearms for better paddle control.
• Lunges and squats to activate the core and stabilize lower body for cutting and acceleration.

Just 5–10 minutes before each game can help prevent pickleball elbow pain, shoulder pain, and knee pain. The American Chiropractic Association also recommends proper cool-down stretches to aid recovery.

When to See a Chiropractor

If you experience ongoing discomfort—such as elbow pain, shoulder stiffness, or knee instability—don’t wait for it to worsen. Early intervention with chiropractic adjustments, corrective exercises, and lifestyle support can keep small injuries from becoming long-term problems.
Find a Chicago chiropractic clinic near you to get started with care tailored to your activity level.

Play Longer, Stronger, and Pain-Free

Pickleball should be fun, not painful. By combining smart warm-ups, preventative care, and proactive chiropractic support, you can reduce your injury rate, recover faster, and enjoy more time on the court.

At Aligned Modern Health, our Chiropractic Physicians are here to help you move better, prevent injuries, and stay active at every stage of life.