Pickleball has taken over Chicago parks faster than you can say “kitchen,” and our schedule proves it. We’re seeing a steady wave of pickleball elbow, rotator cuff irritation, low back pain, knee pain, ankle sprains, and Achilles tightness walk through our doors, and it usually has one thing in common: people going from zero to competitive league play with no ramp up or strengthening routine to speak of.
Here’s the good news. Most pickleball injuries respond really well to conservative care, such as physical therapy, no surgery required. A thorough PT evaluation can tell us whether your elbow pain is coming from your grip, hip pain from your stance, or tightness further up the chain (spoiler: it’s often not just the elbow).
If you’re logging serious court time this summer, a few minutes of dynamic warmup and some targeted strengthening can keep you playing instead of sitting on the sidelines. And if you’re already dealing with that nagging ache, don’t wait it out until it becomes chronic.
We have long treated pickleball players of all abilities at both our Lincoln Park and Lakeview locations, with individualized, one-on-one care from a Doctor of Physical Therapy every visit, not a rotating cast of aides. Our experienced therapists use evidence-based techniques for sports injury rehab in Chicago, and every one of them has hands-on experience working with racquet sports athletes, so we’re not guessing at what your game demands from your body.
We are so excited to share that we’ve also opened a clinic inside Pickleball Clubhouse https://www.pickleballclub.house/ at 4242 N. Elston, right where a lot of you are already playing. If you’re searching for a physical therapist near me who actually understands racquet sports, book an evaluation before that nagging elbow turns into a real problem.
Book an evaluation today at one of our 3 locations
Pickleball Elbow, Meet Your Match: Sports Injury Rehabilitation in Chicago
Pickleball has taken over Chicago parks faster than you can say “kitchen,” and our schedule proves it.
As more people pick up a paddle and spend serious time on the court, we’re seeing a steady wave of pickleball-related elbow pain, shoulder pain, low back pain, knee pain, ankle and foot pain, and Achilles tightness.
There’s often one thing these injuries have in common: people going from zero to competitive league play without much of a ramp-up or strengthening routine.
The good news? You don’t necessarily have to give up your court time. Understanding why the problem started and addressing the movement, strength, or training issues contributing to it can help you make a smarter return to the game.
What Is Pickleball Elbow?
Pickleball elbow is a common term for elbow pain associated with the repetitive gripping, swinging, and impact involved in racquet and paddle sports. While the discomfort may be concentrated around the elbow, a physical therapy evaluation can also examine your grip, shoulder, trunk, hips, mobility, strength, and movement mechanics to identify factors that may be contributing to the problem.
In other words: the place that hurts isn’t always the only place we need to look.
Why Address Pickleball Injuries Early?
That nagging elbow, knee, or ankle doesn’t necessarily need to end your pickleball season. But ignoring discomfort while continuing to increase your playing time isn’t much of a game plan either.
Addressing symptoms and movement limitations early can help you:
- Better understand what may be contributing to your discomfort
- Identify strength, mobility, or movement limitations
- Modify activity while maintaining an appropriate level of movement
- Build strength for the physical demands of pickleball
- Improve mobility, movement, and mechanics
- Develop a more gradual return-to-play plan
- Reduce the likelihood of a minor problem becoming an ongoing limitation
The goal isn’t simply to get through today’s match. It’s to build a body that’s better prepared for the next one.
Common Pickleball Injuries and Pain We See
Pickleball might look relatively low-impact from the sidelines. Your shoulders, knees, ankles, and elbows may disagree.
The sport combines quick changes of direction, repeated swings, short bursts of acceleration, reaching, lunging, and plenty of repetition.
Some common issues that can bring pickleball players to physical therapy include:
- Elbow pain associated with repetitive gripping and swinging
- Shoulder pain or rotator cuff irritation
- Low back pain
- Knee pain
- Ankle and foot pain
- Ankle sprains
- Achilles tightness or irritation
- Hip pain and mobility limitations
- Muscle strains and other sports-related injuries
The symptoms may occur during play, immediately afterward, or gradually after increasing the number or intensity of your weekly games.
Why Does My Elbow Hurt After Playing Pickleball?
Repetitive gripping and swinging can place significant demands on the muscles and tendons around your forearm and elbow.
But treating elbow pain isn’t always as simple as looking at the elbow.
A physical therapist may also evaluate how your shoulder moves, how your trunk rotates, your grip and swing mechanics, and how your hips and lower body contribute to the movement.
If another part of the body isn’t doing its share of the work, your elbow may end up picking up the tab.
That’s why individualized physical therapy starts with evaluating the person, not simply the body part that hurts.
Physical Therapy Evaluation for Pickleball Injuries
A physical therapy evaluation allows your therapist to understand what you’re experiencing and how your body responds to the demands of pickleball.
Depending on your symptoms and goals, an evaluation may look at:
- Strength
- Joint mobility
- Flexibility
- Balance
- Range of motion
- Movement patterns
- Sport-specific mechanics
- Training volume
- Previous injuries
- Activities that increase or decrease your symptoms
From there, your therapist can develop personalized treatment plans based on what the evaluation identifies rather than relying on a generic pickleball exercise routine.
Because no, every sore elbow on the pickleball court does not need the same three exercises from YouTube.
Exercise and Mobility Programs for Pickleball Players
If you’re logging serious court time, preparation matters.
A few minutes of dynamic movement before playing and targeted strengthening away from the court can help prepare your body for the repeated movements pickleball demands.
An exercise and mobility program may include exercises focused on:
- Forearm and grip strength
- Shoulder and rotator cuff strength
- Trunk stability and rotation
- Hip strength and mobility
- Knee and ankle stability
- Balance and coordination
- Sport-specific movement patterns
Your specific program should reflect your current abilities, injury history, symptoms, and goals.
Someone playing recreational doubles once a week has very different physical demands from someone playing competitive matches several days a week.
When Should You See a Physical Therapist for Pickleball Elbow?
Consider scheduling a physical therapy evaluation if elbow pain is persistent, repeatedly returns when you play, interferes with normal activities, or begins affecting how you grip or swing your paddle.
You also don’t have to wait until discomfort becomes severe before having it evaluated.
If you’ve recently increased your playing frequency, joined a competitive league, or returned to pickleball after a long break, an evaluation can help identify strength and mobility issues that may affect how your body handles the increased workload.
Sports Injury Rehabilitation in Chicago for Pickleball Players
Chicago’s pickleball community keeps growing, and we’ve long treated racquet-sport athletes and pickleball players of different ages and ability levels.
Lakeshore Physical Therapy provides sports injury rehabilitation in Chicago with individualized, one-on-one care from a Doctor of Physical Therapy at every visit.
Our experienced therapists use evidence-based techniques and have hands-on experience working with racquet-sport athletes, which helps us understand the movement, strength, mobility, and recovery demands these sports place on the body.
Patients can receive care at our Lakeview and Lincoln Park clinics as well as our newest location inside Pickleball Clubhouse.
We are excited to bring physical therapy directly into Chicago’s pickleball community through our clinic inside Pickleball Clubhouse, located at 4242 N. Elston Ave., Chicago, IL.
For players already spending time on the courts, having physical therapy available within a pickleball facility creates an opportunity to evaluate injuries and movement concerns in an environment closely connected to the sport itself.
Whether you’re looking for Lakeview physical therapy in Chicago, physical therapy in Lincoln Park, or care close to where you play pickleball, our team can help you determine the appropriate next step.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pickleball Injuries
Can physical therapy help with pickleball elbow?
Physical therapy can evaluate the strength, mobility, movement patterns, and activity demands associated with your elbow symptoms. Treatment may include activity modification, mobility work, progressive strengthening, and exercises based on the findings of your individual evaluation.
Should I stop playing pickleball if my elbow hurts?
That depends on the nature and severity of your symptoms. Some players may be able to continue participating with modifications, while others may benefit from temporarily reducing certain activities. A physical therapist can evaluate your symptoms and help determine an appropriate activity plan.
Why does my shoulder hurt after playing pickleball?
Repeated overhead and reaching movements can place significant demands on the shoulder and elbow. A physical therapy evaluation can assess shoulder mobility, rotator cuff strength, trunk movement, and other factors that may contribute to symptoms during play.
What exercises can help prevent pickleball injuries?
There isn’t one universal routine for every player. Strengthening the shoulders, forearms, trunk, hips, knees, and ankles, combined with appropriate mobility and dynamic warm-up exercises, can help prepare the body for play. Your program should account for your fitness level, injury history, playing frequency, and individual movement needs.
When should I get my pickleball injury evaluated?
Consider an evaluation when discomfort persists, repeatedly returns during play, limits normal movement, affects your performance, or worsens as you continue playing. If your symptoms are not 95% better within 2 weeks with your current approach, a physical therapy evaluation is warranted. Sudden or severe injuries may require medical evaluation before returning to sport.
What happens during a physical therapy evaluation for a pickleball injury?
Your therapist will discuss your symptoms, activity level, goals, and injury history before assessing relevant areas such as strength, mobility, flexibility, balance, and movement patterns. The findings can then be used to develop an individualized plan of care.
Keep Playing the Game You Enjoy
Pickleball should give you another reason to move, not another reason to sit on the sidelines.
If elbow pain or another nagging injury is starting to interfere with your game, getting it evaluated can help you understand what’s happening and determine an appropriate plan for moving forward.
At Lakeshore Physical Therapy, our team provides one-on-one physical therapy and sports injury rehabilitation for athletes and active adults at our Lakeview, Lincoln Park, and Pickleball Clubhouse locations.
Book a physical therapy evaluation at one of our three Chicago locations and let’s work on keeping you moving, on and off the court.