If you've been to Cornwall Park, Cordata Park, or Whatcom Community College lately, you've probably noticed the pickleball courts are packed. Pickleball has taken Bellingham (and the whole Pacific Northwest) by storm, and I love seeing it. It's accessible, social, and a great way to stay active. But over the past couple of years, I've seen an uptick in pickleball-related injuries walking through my door, and I think it's worth talking about.
Whether you're a seasoned player competing in local Whatcom County tournaments or someone who just picked up a paddle for the first time last summer, understanding what's happening to your body on the court can help you stay in the game longer.
Pickleball might look low-impact; the court is smaller than a tennis court, the ball is lighter, and rallies often seem more controlled. But don't let that fool you. The sport involves rapid direction changes, repetitive overhead and lateral arm movements, and a surprising amount of explosive lower-body effort.
Research published in the Journal of Emergency Medicine found that pickleball injuries resulted in an estimated 19,000 injuries visits annually in the U.S., with older adults disproportionately affected (Forrester, 2020).
The most common injuries I see in my Bellingham patients are:
In my practice, I've found that most pickleball injuries share a common thread: they're overuse injuries that develop gradually, not dramatic acute traumas. Players often tell me they noticed some elbow soreness a few weeks ago but "pushed through it," and now they can barely grip their paddle. That's the pattern we want to interrupt.
The good news is that chiropractic care addresses these injuries well. For something like lateral epicondylitis, I typically use a combination of joint mobilization of the elbow and wrist, the Graston Technique (a form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization) to break up fascial restrictions and scar tissue, and Active Release Technique (ART) to restore proper muscle and tendon function. Research supports these approaches: a systematic review in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy found that manual therapy combined with exercise produced clinically meaningful improvements in lateral epicondylitis outcomes (Hoogvliet et al., 2013).
For lower-extremity issues like Achilles tendinopathy, I incorporate eccentric loading protocols — a well-established, evidence-based rehabilitation approach shown in multiple studies to reduce pain and improve tendon structure (Alfredson et al., 1998; Beyer et al., 2015).
Prevention is always better than treatment, and a few simple strategies can dramatically reduce your injury risk:
1. Warm up properly — every single time. A 5–10 minute dynamic warm-up (leg swings, arm circles, lateral shuffles, light jogging) prepares your muscles and joints for the demands of the sport. Static stretching before play actually has limited evidence for injury prevention and may temporarily reduce power output; save your deep stretching for after your match (Behm & Chaouachi, 2011).
2. Strengthen the kinetic chain. Most elbow and shoulder injuries in pickleball stem from weakness further up or down the chain — specifically the core and rotator cuff. Adding targeted shoulder and hip strengthening to your routine 2–3 times a week makes a real difference. I'm happy to put together a sport-specific exercise program for any of my patients who want one.
3. Check your grip and technique. Gripping your paddle too tightly is one of the biggest contributors to elbow pain. A relaxed grip and proper stroke mechanics reduce tendon stress significantly. If you're new to the sport, even a single session with a local coach can save you months of pain down the road.
4. Respect the surface. Most Bellingham courts are hard surfaces — concrete or asphalt. These increase joint loading compared to softer courts. Investing in court shoes with proper lateral support and cushioning is worth every penny. Running shoes are not an adequate substitute.
5. Listen to your body. I can't say this enough: soreness that persists more than 48 hours after play is your body telling you something. Don't ignore it. Early intervention almost always means faster recovery.
If you're experiencing persistent joint pain, tendon soreness that keeps coming back, or any numbness or tingling, I'd encourage you to get it looked at sooner rather than later. In my experience, the patients who wait until an issue is severe take significantly longer to recover than those who come in early.
At Advanced Sports Chiropractic and Massage, we treat a lot of active Bellingham-area athletes — from competitive pickleball players to weekend warriors trying to stay on the court. My goal is always the same: get you out of pain and back to doing what you love, with the tools to stay healthy long-term.
You can book an appointment with our online scheduling tool or call (360) 671-5706. We'd love to see you — preferably before the injury gets worse.
Stay active, Bellingham. See you on the courts.
Looking for a chiropractor in Bellingham, WA who treats pickleball injuries? Advanced Sports Chiropractic is conveniently located at 2216 Cornwall Ave in downtown Bellingham — with walk-in and same-day appointments available. Dr. Bob Curtis and Dr. Rachel Hetherington offer chiropractic care and sports injury treatment for patients throughout Whatcom County.
Q: What is the most common pickleball injury?
Strain or overuse injuries like lateral epicondylitis, commonly called "pickleball elbow" or "tennis elbow", are among the most frequently reported injuries in pickleball players. It's caused by repetitive forehand and backhand strokes that place sustained tension on the tendons attaching to the outside of the elbow. Most players develop it gradually over weeks or months before it becomes painful enough to address.
Q: Can a chiropractor help with pickleball elbow? Yes. Chiropractic care is well-suited to treating lateral epicondylitis. I use a personalized combination of treatments, which may include joint mobilization, Graston Technique (instrument-assisted soft tissue work), and Active Release Technique (ART), to address the tendon and surrounding soft tissue. These approaches are supported by research and help most patients return to play without surgery or medication.
Q: How long does it take to recover from a pickleball injury?
It depends on the injury and how early you seek care. Mild overuse injuries caught early may resolve in 2–4 weeks with treatment and activity modification. Injuries that have been ignored for months can take significantly longer (sometimes 3–6 months). The most important factor is not waiting. Early intervention consistently leads to faster recovery.
Q: Is pickleball bad for your knees?
Pickleball isn't inherently bad for your knees, but the repetitive lunging, pivoting, and stopping on hard court surfaces does place real load on the knee joint. Patellar tendinopathy and general knee pain are common in frequent players, especially those who don't warm up adequately or have underlying muscle weakness in the hips and quadriceps. With the right strengthening program and good court shoes, most players can protect their knees effectively.
Q: What shoes should I wear for pickleball to avoid injury?
Wear court-specific shoes with lateral support and cushioning designed for hard-surface sports. Running shoes are built for forward motion, not the side-to-side cuts that pickleball demands — and wearing them significantly increases ankle sprain risk and reduces knee and hip stability.
Q: Should I play pickleball through the pain?
No. Pushing through persistent joint or tendon pain almost always leads to a more serious injury that takes longer to treat. If soreness lasts more than 48 hours after play, or if you notice pain during the game itself, that's a signal to rest and get evaluated.
Q: Where can I play pickleball in Bellingham, WA?
Bellingham has several public pickleball venues, including courts at Cornwall Park, Cordata Park, and Whatcom Community College (WCC). Court availability and scheduling vary by season, so check with Bellingham Parks & Recreation for current hours and reservation options.
Alfredson, H., Pietilä, T., Jonsson, P., & Lorentzon, R. (1998). Heavy-load eccentric calf muscle training for the treatment of chronic Achilles tendinosis. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9617396/
Behm, D. G., & Chaouachi, A. (2011). A review of the acute effects of static and dynamic stretching on performance. European Journal of Applied Physiology, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21373870/
Beyer, R., Kongsgaard, M., Hougs Kjær, B., Øhlenschlæger, T., Kjær, M., & Magnusson, S. P. (2015). Heavy slow resistance versus eccentric training as treatment for Achilles tendinopathy: A randomized controlled trial. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26018970/
Forrester, M. B. (2020). Pickleball-related injuries treated in emergency departments. Journal of Emergency Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31796221/
Hoogvliet, P., Randsdorp, M. S., Dingemanse, R., Koes, B. W., & Huisstede, B. M. (2013). Does effectiveness of exercise therapy and mobilisation techniques offer guidance for the treatment of lateral and medial epicondylitis? A systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 47(17), 1112–1119. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23709519/