Pickleball has exploded in popularity, and for good reason. It’s social, competitive, and a great way to stay active. But with more people spending time on the court, chiropractors are seeing another trend: pickleball elbow in Lutz FL.

You may know it by its traditional name, tennis elbow, but you don't have to play tennis to develop it. Pickleball players can experience the same type of overuse injury from repetitive swinging, gripping, and wrist movements.

At Full Life Chiropractic in Lutz, FL, we regularly help active adults dealing with elbow, wrist, shoulder, and other musculoskeletal pain. If pickleball has left you with a painful elbow, Dr. Enrico Dolcecore, Dr. Christine Hafer and Dr. Alexis (Allie) Winters can help determine what's contributing to your symptoms and develop a personalized treatment approach.

What Is Pickleball Elbow in Lutz FL?

"Pickleball elbow" is a common term for pain and irritation involving the tendons on the outside of the elbow. Medically, this condition is often referred to as lateral epicondylitis, although the underlying problem can be more complex than simple inflammation.

The tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow can become irritated or overloaded through repetitive movements.

And you don't have to be a professional athlete.

A weekend pickleball player who suddenly increases their playing time can be just as susceptible as someone who plays several times a week.

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Why Does Pickleball Cause Elbow Pain?

Pickleball involves repetitive movements that can place significant stress on the muscles and tendons of the forearm.

Some common contributing factors include:

• Repetitive swinging
• Frequent gripping of the paddle
• Improper paddle technique
• Increasing playing time too quickly
• Poor wrist mechanics
• Using equipment that isn't a good fit
• Limited forearm, wrist, or shoulder mobility
• Muscle weakness or imbalance
• Returning to the sport too quickly after an injury

Your elbow doesn't work in isolation. Your wrist, forearm, shoulder, and even your upper back all contribute to how force is transferred through your arm during a swing. That's why simply resting the elbow may not always address the underlying problem.

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Common Symptoms of Pickleball Elbow

Pickleball elbow can develop gradually or become noticeable after a particularly active day on the court.

Common symptoms include:

• Pain on the outside of the elbow
• Tenderness around the elbow joint
• Pain when gripping a paddle
• Discomfort when lifting objects
• Pain with wrist extension
• Weakness in the grip
• Pain when shaking hands
• Aching after playing pickleball
• Difficulty fully using the arm without discomfort

Some people notice symptoms only while playing, while others begin experiencing pain during everyday activities. If your elbow pain is starting to affect your ability to work, exercise, or enjoy pickleball, it's worth having it evaluated.

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Why Does It Hurt Even When You're Not Playing?

One of the frustrating things about pickleball elbow is that the pain can continue after you leave the court.

Repeated stress can cause the tissues around the elbow to become irritated and less tolerant of normal loading. Eventually, activities that previously didn't bother you - such as opening a jar, carrying groceries, typing, or picking up a child - may become uncomfortable.

This is one reason early intervention can be helpful.

Instead of continuing to play through increasing pain, identifying the factors contributing to your symptoms can help you make better decisions about your activity and recovery.

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How Can Chiropractic Care Help Pickleball Elbow?

At Full Life Chiropractic, our approach is focused on looking at the entire kinetic chain rather than simply treating the location where you feel pain.

Your chiropractor may evaluate:

• Elbow mobility
• Wrist and forearm movement
• Grip strength
• Shoulder mobility
• Upper back movement
• Muscle tension and imbalances
• Movement patterns
• Activities that may be contributing to your symptoms

Depending on your individual condition, chiropractic care may include manual therapy, soft tissue techniques, therapeutic exercises, mobility work, and other supportive treatments.

The goal is to improve how your body moves and functions so you can work toward getting back to the activities you enjoy.

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Don't Just Stop Playing Pickleball Forever

If pickleball is causing elbow pain, you don't necessarily have to give up the sport you love.

Instead, you may need to modify how you're playing while your body recovers.

Depending on your symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommend temporarily reducing playing frequency, modifying certain movements, addressing technique, strengthening the forearm and shoulder, or taking a gradual approach to returning to the court.

The goal isn't simply to get you out of pain. The goal is to help you get back on the court and stay there.

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When Should You See a Chiropractor for Elbow Pain?

Consider getting your elbow evaluated if:

• Pain continues for more than a few days.
• Symptoms are getting progressively worse.
• You have difficulty gripping your paddle.
• Your grip feels weaker than normal.
• Pain is interfering with everyday activities.
• You've tried resting but the pain keeps returning.
• You keep experiencing elbow pain every time you play.

Getting an evaluation early may help prevent a minor problem from turning
into a long-term issue.

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Get Back to the Pickleball Court

Pickleball should be something you look forward to—not something you have to avoid because your elbow hurts.

If you're dealing with pickleball elbow, tennis elbow, elbow pain, or forearm pain, contact Full Life Chiropractic in Lutz, FL to schedule an evaluation.

Let our doctors help you understand what's contributing to your pain and create a plan to help you get back to doing what you love.

Your paddle isn't the problem. Your body may just need a little help adapting to the demands you're putting on it.