Can Physical Therapy Help Your Pickleball Game?

Are you playing pickleball? Did you know it is the fastest-growing sport in Hampton Roads, Virginia? Did you know that Physical Therapy can be a huge help to your Pickleball Game? Not only is it popular in coastal Virginia, but it is becoming a nationwide trend. Here is a current statistic:

“USA Pickleball reported its membership, which reached 70,000 players in February 2023, increased by 30% in 2022. The growth prompted the Sports & Fitness Industry Association to name pickleball the fastest-growing sport in America for the third straight year.”  –Pickleball Portal

With so many playing pickleball in your community, you may be wondering how physical therapy can help your pickleball game.

The Demands of Pickleball

Pickleball is fun, social and can be played in many locations in our communities. But the sport can also be physically demanding. Pickleball is a full-body and muscle workout. As an example, here are the muscle groups that will be engaged as you play the sport: 

1. Lower Body: The lower body is crucial in generating power, speed, and agility during pickleball movements. Muscles include quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, calves, and hip muscles.
2. Core Muscles: The core provides stability and transfers power between the upper and lower body. The core also helps with balance and agility—two key roles while playing pickleball. Muscles in your core that will be engaged for pickleball include abdominals, lower back muscles, and stabilizing muscles.
3. Upper Body: The upper body muscles are involved in hitting shots, particularly the serve and volleys. Muscles needed include shoulder muscles (deltoids and rotator cuff), biceps, triceps, and forearm muscles.

Find out how dry needling can help relieve sore and injured muscles

Suppose you are already experiencing discomfort within any of these muscle groups or feel sore and fatigued just reading this list. In that case, you can already see how physical therapy can help your pickleball game.

Remember that the intensity and demands on specific muscle groups may vary depending on your playing style, technique, and individual factors. A Therapy Network physical therapist can assess your needs and develop a tailored training plan.

5 Ways to Improve Your Pickleball Game with Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can indeed be beneficial to training for pickleball. TTN therapists are experts in assessing and improving movement patterns, strength, and flexibility. They can provide guidance and exercises and help you prepare for the physical demands of pickleball. A therapist can enhance your performance while reducing the risk of injury. Here is how physical therapy can help your pickleball game: 

1. Injury Prevention: Physical therapists can evaluate your movement and identify potential areas of weakness and imbalance. At The Therapy Network, we will develop a customized exercise program to address those issues and reduce the risk of pickleball injuries.
2. Strength and Conditioning: Pickleball involves quick movements, agility, and physical power. Physical therapists can design strengthening exercises to target the muscle groups involved in pickleball. Your therapist will create an exercise plan to enhance your game performance.
3. Flexibility and Range of Motion: To prevent injury, flexibility and range of motion are essential for pickleball players. A therapist can provide stretching exercises and techniques to improve flexibility and joint mobility.
4. Balance and Coordination: Pickleball requires good balance and coordination. A TTN therapist can help you improve stability and coordination on the pickleball court.
5. Injury Management: If you have a prior injury or are recovering from a pickleball-related injury, a Therapy Network therapist can develop a rehabilitation plan tailored to your needs. Your therapist will promote healing, help you regain strength, and safely return to playing pickleball.

Find out how PT can improve your daily life!

If you are playing pickleball or considering the sport, it is time to schedule an appointment with a therapist at The Therapy Network in coastal Virginia.

No Physicians’ Referral or Prescription Needed in Virginia

You have learned how physical therapy can help your pickleball game, but did you know you do not need a physician’s referral to visit The Therapy Network? You can schedule an appointment today if you are ready to meet with a physical therapist and improve your pickleball game.

If you live in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia, there is a location of The Therapy Network near your neighborhood or place of employment. If pickleball is your new favorite activity, schedule an appointment today!