Common Pickleball Injuries and How Acupuncture Can Support Recovery and Pain Relief

With a 311% increase in participation over the last three years, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the country. And what’s not to love? It’s easy to learn, highly social, and a great way to stay active.

As the game’s popularity rises, however, so do the number of pickleball-related sports injuries. At Twin Acupuncture, specialist Kerri Kuhlsen, Lac, cSMA, provides targeted care for these issues, helping players recover quickly and prevent future strain.

Don’t let lingering pain and stiffness keep you off the court during the peak of the summer season. Here’s a look at the most common injuries pickleball enthusiasts face and how acupuncture can help you bounce back.

Understanding the physical impact of pickleball

Pickleball is generally considered a lower-impact activity compared to tennis and other racquet sports. The smaller court and lower net mean less running and jumping, making it suitable for a wide range of ages and ability levels.

But the potential for injury is still there. The fast-paced, repetitive movements involved can take a toll on your muscles and joints, leading to conditions like:

Lateral epicondylitis (pickleball elbow)

Also known as tennis elbow, or in this case, pickleball elbow, lateral epicondylitis occurs when you overuse the tendons in your forearm. Long periods of gripping a paddle combined with repeated wrist movements can cause microscopic tears in the tissue, leading to inflammation and pain in the outer elbow.

Rotator cuff injuries

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize your shoulder and allow you to lift your arm. While pickleball doesn’t involve the same high-velocity serves as tennis, frequent overhead smashes and reaching for wide shots can put excessive strain on these tissues in the same way.

Achilles tendonitis

Your Achilles tendon is a thick band of tissue that connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. Over time, the repetitive stress of pushing off the ball of your foot and lunging for shots can cause this tendon to become tight and inflamed.

Knee and ankle injuries

Because the court is relatively small, pickleball relies on quick lateral shuffling and sudden pivots. If you’re not careful, these rapid movements can easily over-stretch or tear the ligaments that support your knee and ankle joints, resulting in pain, swelling, and instability.

How acupuncture gets you back in the game

If you’re dealing with a pickleball-related injury, acupuncture offers a natural, holistic way to manage pain and support your recovery. 

During a session, Kerri places fine, sterile needles into specific points on your body, which immediately stimulate blood flow in the targeted area. The influx of oxygen and nutrients helps repair damaged tissue and calm inflammation, speeding the healing process.

The same stimulation helps release tight, overworked muscles and targets painful trigger points to relieve tension and improve mobility as you heal. By influencing the nervous system, acupuncture also prompts the release of endorphins — natural brain chemicals that block pain signals — providing lasting relief from nagging aches.

Your natural path to recovery and peak performance

Beyond pain relief and healing, regular acupuncture treatments can help you prevent new injuries and keep your body moving well between matches. Contact Twin Acupuncture today in Staten Island, New York, or Toms River, New Jersey, to schedule a consultation with Kerri.