Pickleball: The Low-Impact Lie? Unveiling the Painful Truth!

The popularity of pickleball shows no sign of petering out. For at least the past three years, this recreational activity— which combines elements of tennis, table tennis, and badminton— has been the fastest-growing in the U.S., according to research from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA). 

The number of pickleball enthusiasts, known as “pickleheads,” has surged by over 220% from 2021 to 2023, reaching more than 36 million players. However, this rapid growth in the sport has been accompanied by a rise in injuries that can impact a picklehead’s quality of life. Fortunately, if you want to “stay out of the kitchen”—a pickleball term for avoiding injuries— there is an easy home-based research-backed solution that takes just 15 minutes a day and may help prevent or minimize pickleball-related injuries. 

This article will cover:

• Statistics on pickleball injuries.
• How and why playing pickleball can lead to back and neck injuries.
• A doctor-recommended back-and-neck-pain device that may help prevent or minimize sports injuries in 15 minutes or less. 

The Populist Appeal of Pickleball

Although pickleball may seem like a recent invention, the game’s roots date back to 1965, when Joel Pritchard, a former Lieutenant Governor and Congressman of Washington State, is said to have co-invented the sport with his friend, businessman William Bell. 

It’s easy to see why the game has grown so quickly: it’s inexpensive, quick to learn, easy to play, and suitable for players of all ages and skill level, explains leading pain physician Joseph Pergolizzi, Jr., MD, in an exhaustive research review of pickleball injuries. Further describing the sport’s appeal to the masses, Pergolizzi adds, “Inexperienced players can quickly master enough skills to play well enough for enjoyable matches. [Moreover,] a game lasts about 15 minutes and is often played recreationally, as a social activity, rather than a competitive level.”

For these reasons, the number of core pickleball participants (defined as people who play at least eight times per year) increased 111% year-over-year from 2022 to 2023. What’s shocking is that in 2022, nearly 20% of the U.S. adult population — 48.3 million people — played pickleball at least once, according to The Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP). 

Rates of Pickleball Injuries Spiking

Contrary to the common belief that pickleball is primarily a sport for seniors, data from the APP shows that the average age of pickleball players is 34.8 years old. Additionally, research from the SFIA reported that players under 24 had the fastest growth rate from 2020 to 2021. The appeal of pickleball to younger demographics partially explains the rising rate of chronic back pain in young adults. 

Pickleball injuries have increased nearly ninefold over the past decade, despite the sport's relatively small court size and limited ground area. According to an analysis of pickleball-related injuries, based on data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission published in The Journal of Emergency Medicine, an estimated 19,000 injuries occur nationwide each year. 

Why Does Pickleball Cause Back And Neck Pain?

There are several reasons why playing pickleball can promote back and neck pain (or make it worse).

Do The Twist

Pickleball involves frequent rotational movements that impact the lumbar and thoracic vertebrae. This repetitive twisting motion places stress on the intervertebral discs and facet joints, which over time can lead to disc herniation or facet joint arthropathy. These conditions may cause nerve impingement and result in radiating pain.

Jump. Stop. Repeat.

Jumping, sudden stops, and rapid directional changes cause axial loading of the spine. This compressive force, especially when combined with rotational movements, can lead to vertebral endplate fractures, disc degeneration, or worsening of pre-existing spinal conditions.

Pickleball Addiction

Pickleball is a fun and engaging sport, but the frequent playing involves repetitive motions that can lead to various muscular issues — especially if you don’t give your spine some TLC (keep reading for the easiest, most-effective solution). 

For instance, the paraspinal muscles are constantly engaged during pickleball. Overuse of these muscles can lead to fatigue, spasms, and microtears, contributing to chronic back pain. Additionally, the latissimus dorsi (often referred to as the “bat-wing” muscles of the upper back) and the trapezius (the muscles that give weightlifters and football players the appearance of having no neck) power the swing in racquet sports. Tightness in these large muscles can trigger pain that may extend from the mid-back to the neck.

In addition, playing pickleball intensely can lead to cervical spinal stress, shoulder and scapular dyskinesis, microtrauma of the discs, degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy, and a host of other conditions that will keep medical professionals busy for years to come. 

Strategies To Keep Playing Pickleball Without Problems

Let’s get some obvious pointers out of the way: proper warm-up and stretching, core strengthening, proper footwear, and sufficient rest and recovery can help prevent injuries. 

Pickleheads should also consider practicing spinal hygiene. 

What is spinal hygiene? Just as oral hygiene involves daily brushing and flossing, spinal hygiene can be practiced at home daily with a Posture Pump® device, such as the Dual Deluxe Full Spine Model 4100-D. 

What Is a Posture Pump®?

Designed to alleviate neck and back pain by decompressing and hydrating the spinal discs, Posture Pump® products utilize uniquely-angled air cells that inflate, aiding in comfortable, corrective decompression. This action stretches and lubricates the spine, which may improve posture and potentially relieve pressure on the discs and nerves. This could reduce stiffness and discomfort, and assist with better spinal alignment and overall spinal health. 

Using a Posture Pump® device is simple and takes just 5-15 minutes a day. Pickleheads can easily fit a quick Posture Pump® session into their routine before heading to the court. With over 3 million units sold, the device has garnered positive feedback from users. The technology behind Posture Pump® devices is supported by research, and endorsed by a world-renowned neurosurgeon and numerous other medical professionals. 

References:

Pergolizzi J Jr, Matera J, LeQuang JAK. Treating Geriatric Sports Injury Among Pickleball Players: A Narrative Review of an Exercise Craze Among Seniors. Cureus. 2023 Dec 4;15(12):e49909.

Forrester MB. Pickleball-Related Injuries Treated in Emergency Departments. J Emerg Med. 2020 Feb;58(2):275-279. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2019.09.016. Epub 2019 Nov 30. PMID: 31796221.