Pickleball Shoulder Injury: Why Your Shoulder Hurts and What to Do

Pickleball has exploded in South Florida, and our office has seen a corresponding surge in pickleball-related shoulder injuries. The game is fantastic for staying active — but the repeated overhead strokes, dinking motions, and hard drives put specific stress on the shoulder that accumulates quickly when you're playing several times a week.

Why Pickleball Is Tough on Shoulders

The pickleball overhead smash and high volleys require significant shoulder elevation and internal rotation — positions that put the rotator cuff tendons in a vulnerable spot called the "impingement zone." Repeat this motion dozens of times per session, multiple days per week, and you get:

• Rotator cuff tendinitis or partial tears
• Shoulder impingement syndrome
• Biceps tendinopathy (the biceps tendon attaches at the shoulder)
• AC joint irritation (top of the shoulder)
• SLAP tears (in more severe cases)

Players who are new to pickleball are especially vulnerable because their shoulder stabilizing muscles haven't adapted to the demands of the sport. Older players may have pre-existing rotator cuff degeneration that becomes symptomatic.

Common Symptoms

• Pain in the front or side of the shoulder during overhead motions
• Weakness when reaching above shoulder height
• Aching that persists after playing, sometimes into the night
• Clicking or catching in the shoulder
• Pain when reaching behind your back

How We Diagnose the Problem

A thorough shoulder examination — including orthopedic testing to assess rotator cuff integrity, range of motion, and joint stability — typically tells us what structure is involved. When more information is needed, we can refer for imaging (MRI or ultrasound).

Effective Treatment for Pickleball Shoulder

Chiropractic shoulder care addresses joint mobility restrictions at the glenohumeral joint and AC joint, as well as thoracic spine stiffness that forces the shoulder to compensate. Most shoulder patients are surprised how much the mid-back contributes to their shoulder pain.

Shockwave Therapy — Shockwave is excellent for rotator cuff and biceps tendinopathy. It stimulates tendon healing at the tissue level and reduces pain without the downsides of cortisone injections.

Class 4 Laser — Laser therapy reduces inflammation in the joint and surrounding structures, accelerating healing. We often combine this with shockwave for significant tissue issues.

Rotator cuff rehabilitation — Specific exercises to strengthen the four rotator cuff muscles, scapular stabilizers, and posterior shoulder. This is essential for preventing recurrence.

Our Shoulder Restoration Program is designed exactly for these kinds of active lifestyle shoulder injuries.

Our guide to chiropractic care in South Florida covers how we work with athletes.

Related reading:

• Pickleball Knee Injury
• Tennis Elbow Treatment
• Golf Injuries in South Florida

Call (954) 943-1100 — we're at 3320 N. Federal Highway, Suite 101, Lighthouse Point. Let's get your shoulder right so you're back on the court.