If you’ve spent any time at the courts in Westlake, Pease Park, or South Austin lately, you know that Pickleball isn’t just a hobby—it’s an obsession. But as the “Pickleball Capital of Texas,” Austin is also seeing a massive spike in specific sports-related injuries.
At FRWD Sports Therapy, we don’t believe you should have to hang up your paddle just because of a nagging ache. Our approach is designed to find the mechanical “why” behind your pain so you can keep playing at a high level.
Why Pickleball is Unique (and Tough on the Body)
Unlike tennis, pickleball is played on a smaller court with a plastic ball that doesn’t bounce as high. This requires:
- Constant Low Squatting: Puts immense pressure on the patellar tendon and meniscus.
- Rapid Lateral Bursts: Tests the stability of your ankles and hips.
- High-Velocity “Flicking”: The lightweight paddle encourages wrist-dominant shots, which leads to tendonitis.
The “Big Three” Pickleball Injuries We Treat in Westlake
1. “Pickleball Elbow” (Lateral Epicondylitis)
This is the #1 complaint we see. Because the paddle is shorter and the ball is lighter than a tennis racquet, players tend to use their wrists to “flick” the ball. Over hundreds of games, this creates micro-tears in the forearm tendons.
- The FRWD Fix: We use Dry Needling to release the supinator and extensor muscles, followed by myofascial release to break up scar tissue.
2. Achilles Tendonitis & Calf Strains
The “kitchen line” requires quick forward and backward steps. If your calves are tight from sitting at a desk all day, that sudden explosive movement can cause the Achilles to strain.
- The FRWD Fix: We assess your ankle mobility and use manual therapy to ensure your joints aren’t “locked,” which offloads the pressure from the tendon.
3. Low Back “Power” Pain
Most power in pickleball should come from the hips and core. However, many players “muscle” the ball using their low back. By the third set, your back is screaming.
- The FRWD Fix: We don’t just crack your back. We look at your hip internal rotation. If your hips don’t move, your back has to—and that’s when injuries happen.
The FRWD Recovery Roadmap
We treat every pickleball player like an elite athlete. Your 60-minute session includes:
- Diagnostic Movement Assessment: We watch how you lunge and swing to find the “energy leaks.”
- Manual Therapy & Needling: Hands-on work to reduce pain and inflammation immediately.
- Sport-Specific Strengthening: We give you 2-3 “High-ROI” exercises (like eccentric wrist loading or glute medius activation) to bulletproof your body against future injury.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should I use ice or heat for my pickleball injury? Generally, use ice for acute swelling (the first 24-48 hours) and heat for chronic muscle stiffness. However, the best “medicine” is movement. We help you find the “pain-free” range of motion to keep blood flowing.
Can I still play while I’m in rehab? Our goal is “Active Recovery.” Unless there is a high risk of a complete tear, we prefer to keep you on the court with modified volume or intensity. Taking 4 weeks off usually just makes the muscles weaker, making the injury return once you start playing again.
What is the best way to prevent Pickleball Elbow? Focus on your grip pressure (don’t “death grip” the paddle) and ensure you are hitting the ball with your whole arm and core, rather than just your wrist. Regularly seeing a sports chiropractor for “tune-ups” can catch these issues before they become a 6-month problem.
Do you offer emergency appointments for tournament weekends? We know Austin has a busy tournament schedule. We always try to prioritize our regular athletes to get them “taped and ready” for their matches.