Our city has truly embraced pickleball. Whether you’re rallying at Beacon Hill Park, playing at the Victoria Pickleball Centre, or finding a spot at one of the newer courts at Topaz Park, the sport keeps drawing people in. It’s social, it’s active, and it’s genuinely a lot of fun.
But it’s also harder on the body than it looks. At Aria Health and Wellness Clinic, we see a steady stream of active adults who’ve pushed through a nagging ache a bit too long. Most of the time, what started as minor irritation has become something more involved. Here’s what to watch for.
Tennis Elbow: Yes, Even in Pickleball
Lateral epicondylitis, better known as tennis elbow, is one of the most common complaints we see in pickleball players. The repetitive gripping and swinging motion gradually overloads the tendons around the elbow, leading to pain not just during play but in daily activities like lifting, gripping, or turning a door handle.
Getting on top of it early makes a meaningful difference. Left unaddressed, tendon irritation can become a chronic problem that takes much longer to resolve.
Shoulder Pain
Serving, overhead shots, and repeated reaching put significant demand on the shoulder. Players often develop rotator cuff irritation, muscle tightness, or impingement that builds gradually over weeks or months.
Reduced range of motion and a noticeable drop in power on the court are usually the first signs. Ignoring it rarely helps. The shoulder responds well to early soft tissue work and targeted rehabilitation, but tends to dig in when left alone.
Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain
The quick lateral movements, starts, and stops that make pickleball so engaging also place a lot of repeated stress on the feet. Many players develop plantar fasciitis, particularly those with underlying foot mechanics issues that haven’t previously caused them trouble.
Because the feet are the foundation for every movement you make on the court, addressing foot mechanics is often central to recovery. At Aria Health and Wellness Clinic, this is part of why we combine movement assessment, soft tissue care, and custom orthotics when treating players dealing with heel pain.
Knee Pain
Pivoting, sudden lateral changes of direction, and repeated lunging are tough on the knees. Players who already have some underlying weakness, reduced mobility, or a prior knee injury are especially vulnerable.
Pain around the kneecap, stiffness after sitting through a long match, or discomfort on stairs afterward are all worth paying attention to. These patterns often point to something specific in how the knee is loading, which is very addressable with the right care.
Low Back Pain
Pickleball involves a surprising amount of rotational load through the spine. Repeated twisting and bending, especially over a long match or multiple sessions a week, can contribute to muscle strain, joint irritation, or flare-ups in players who already have some pre-existing back changes.
“The earlier we address movement restrictions and soft tissue dysfunction, the easier it is to keep people active and doing what they enjoy. Most people don’t need to stop playing. They just need the right support to keep going,” says Victoria chiropractor Dr. Greg Marlin, DC.
Dr. Marlin graduated from Palmer West Chiropractic College and brings over 25 years of experience in injury rehabilitation, soft tissue care, and movement assessment to his work with patients at the practice.
A Minor Problem Is Worth Addressing Now
Some soreness after a hard match is normal. Persistent pain that shows up during play, lingers afterward, or starts interfering with everyday life is worth paying attention to. It’s your body letting you know that something isn’t moving or loading the way it should.
If pickleball injuries are affecting your game or daily activities, the team at Aria Health and Wellness Clinic can assess movement patterns, joint function, and other factors that may be contributing to your discomfort. Chiropractic care, soft tissue therapy, rehabilitation exercises, and other therapies may be incorporated based on your individual needs. Schedule a new patient appointment or learn more about our approach to chiropractic care in Victoria.