SPRING VALLEY, Calif. — Pickleball remains America's fastest-growing sport, but injuries for people making the move from the couch to the court are piling up.
In this Zevely Zone, I visited The Hub in Spring Valley for some tips on staying healthy.
I'd like to start this article by tipping my 'pickleball hat' to The Hub for being willing to discuss injuries. The troubling data certainly is not good publicity, but the largest pickleball facility in San Diego County told me they want to be proactive about sharing information that will prevent injuries by teaching proper technique and pickleball habits.
You find a lot of laughter on a pickleball court, but getting injured is no joke. "We see hundreds of pickleball injuries throughout the year, " said Doctor Tami from La Mesa Rehab. The doctor in physical therapy runs a pickleball injury recovery program.
I asked her if she was surprised by a Bloomberg report that stated 68,000 people went to emergency rooms last year with pickleball injuries. "It does not surprise me," said Doctor Tami. She told us the sport that looks so fun and inviting makes many people forget to stretch and warm up properly.
Pickleball player Michelle Afont is dealing with a nagging rotator cuff injury and tape helps. I watched Doctor Tami tape Michelle's shoulder before playing. "Fabulous. I already feel a huge difference, just in that," said Michelle.
Good because Michelle just happened to be my sidekick on the court for the day. "Nice partner, nice partner," I shouted as she covered for my weak game by flying all over the court.
The Hub is offering a new program to new players that offer advice to prevent needless injuries. "I really love the idea of helping people get started with the best habits," said Teresa Howes who is the Director of Membership and Social Events at The Hub. "For brand new pickleball players it's a really good idea to get started with a coach, I mean it's tempting to grab a paddle and a very innocent whiffle ball, but it's a really good idea to get started with a coach," said Teresa.
She says proper stretching and technique can prevent strains, sprains and fractures and so does wearing the right footwear.
When I was playing I slightly rolled my ankle while wearing what I was told were the wrong shoes. "Yeah absolutely," said Austin Sveom. He is the Hub's Head Pro who told me pickleballers should wear shoes built for courts not running long distances. "So if you make a side step with that, your foot is probably going to follow and go outside of the foam and roll whereas these shoes will have stability and prevent that from happening," said Austin.
Doctor Tami also suggests incorporating what are called 'body resets' between points. "You need to reset and take that racquet behind you," said Doctor Tami as she showed us a quick stretch-like reset move that she says will prevent rotator cuff injuries. She says when your shoulder is hunched forward too often, players need to 'reset' it back. "Exactly, this is a reminder for us, we say good point 'reset' to put slack on the rotator, strengthen up the rhomboid and then I am ready for my next shot," said Doctor Tami.
Small adjustments prevent big injuries, keeping you out of the doctor's office and a medical pickle. For more information about The Hub and a beginning pickleball class for 15 dollars, click here. If you'd like to contact Doctor Tami about physical therapy at La Mesa Rehab, click here.