Pickleball is booming across the country—and for good reason. It’s fun, fast-paced, and great for all ages. But with any physical activity, especially one that blends agility, quick direction changes, and repetitive motion, there’s always the risk of injury.
At Best Life Chiropractic, we’re seeing a rise in patients who play pickleball and are dealing with common overuse or impact-related injuries in San Diego, CA. The good news? Chiropractic care and innovative treatments like shockwave therapy in San Diego, CA can help you recover faster and get back to doing what you love—pain-free.
Common Pickleball Injuries
Here are some of the most frequent pickleball-related issues we see:
1. Pickleball Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Similar to tennis elbow, this overuse injury affects the tendons on the outside of the elbow from repetitive swinging motions.
2. Rotator Cuff Strain
Serving and overhead shots can strain or irritate the muscles and tendons around the shoulder joint.
3. Achilles Tendonitis
Quick stops and starts can inflame the Achilles tendon, especially if you’re playing on hard surfaces without proper warm-ups.
4. Plantar Fasciitis
Foot pain, especially in the heel, is common in players who are constantly on their feet with little arch support.
5. Low Back Pain
Twisting, reaching, and bending during play can lead to stiffness or strain in the lower back.
How Chiropractic Care at Best Life Chiropractic Helps
Chiropractic care in San Diego is not just about spinal adjustments—it’s a full-body approach to healing, mobility, and performance.
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Joint and spinal adjustments improve alignment, reduce pressure on nerves, and promote better biomechanics—crucial for preventing future injuries.
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Soft tissue therapy helps release tension in muscles, improving flexibility and reducing inflammation.
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Rehab exercises and mobility work are often prescribed to help you regain strength and correct movement patterns that led to the injury.
The Power of Shockwave Therapy
One of the most exciting advances we offer at Best Life Chiropractic is shockwave therapy—a non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic waves to stimulate healing in damaged tissues.
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Accelerates tissue repair and cell growth
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Breaks down scar tissue and calcifications
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Increases blood flow to injured areas
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Reduces pain and inflammation quickly
Shockwave therapy is especially effective for chronic tendon issues like pickleball elbow, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendonitis. Many of our patients report noticeable relief after just a few sessions.
Real Patients. Real Results.
“After weeks of elbow pain that wouldn’t go away, I tried shockwave therapy at Best Life Chiropractic—and I’m so glad I did. Within a few treatments, the pain was nearly gone and I was back to playing pain-free.”
– Mark, avid pickleball player
“The team at Best Life helped me recover from a nasty case of plantar fasciitis. Between the adjustments and shockwave therapy, I was walking comfortably again in no time.“
– Susan, recreational athlete
Studies on Chiropractic Safety and Effectiveness
1. Effectiveness for Low Back Pain
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Spine Journal (2018) – A systematic review and meta-analysis found that spinal manipulative therapy (SMT), commonly used by chiropractors, is moderately effective for acute low back pain.
Reference: Paige NM, et al. “Association of Spinal Manipulative Therapy With Clinical Benefit and Harm for Acute Low Back Pain.” JAMA. 2017;317(14):1451–1460. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2017.3086
2. Chronic Back Pain and Neck Pain
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Cochrane Reviews and other systematic reviews have found chiropractic care to be similarly effective or slightly more effective than conventional treatment or physical therapy for chronic back and neck pain.
Rubinstein SM, et al. “Spinal manipulative therapy for chronic low-back pain.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2011.
3. Safety
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Major adverse events are extremely rare. Minor side effects like soreness or fatigue are more common but typically resolve quickly.
Gouveia LO, et al. “Safety of chiropractic interventions: a systematic review.” Spine. 2009;34(11):E405-E413.
Malpractice Insurance as a Proxy for Safety
Malpractice insurance rates reflect the risk profile of a profession, based on the frequency and severity of claims.
Chiropractic vs. Other Professions (U.S. Estimates):
| Profession | Annual Malpractice Premium (avg) |
|---|---|
| Chiropractor | $1,200 – $3,000 |
| Primary Care MD | $10,000 – $20,000+ |
| Neurosurgeon | $50,000 – $100,000+ |
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Chiropractors pay dramatically less than MDs, particularly those in high-risk specialties.
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According to the National Practitioner Data Bank, chiropractors are rarely involved in malpractice claims relative to medical doctors.
Summary
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Chiropractic care is generally safe, especially for common musculoskeletal issues like back and neck pain.
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Scientific reviews support its effectiveness—comparable to or better than physical therapy for some conditions.
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Low malpractice insurance rates reflect a low incidence of serious harm and a relatively safe track record.
Your Comeback Starts Here
Pickleball is too much fun to let pain or injury keep you off the court. If you’re in San Diego, CA and dealing with a new injury or lingering discomfort, Dr. Palmes at Best Life Chiropractic can help. Using a personalized blend of chiropractic care, cutting-edge treatments like shockwave therapy, and targeted rehab strategies, we’ll help you heal faster and perform better. Let’s work together to get you back to your best!