Why Pickleball Can Lead to Back Pain
Pickleball has become one of the fastest-growing adult activity trends, offering competitive fun with a low learning curve. However, sudden stops, quick lateral movements, twisting, reaching, and serving motions can place significant stress on the lower back muscles and joints. Back pain after playing pickleball is common, and the big question becomes: Is the discomfort just temporary muscle soreness or a spinal injury?
If you feel persistent pain or stiffness that does not improve with rest, or your pain increases each time you return to the court, it may be time to seek orthopedic evaluation. Get fast, professional advice for sports and orthopedic injuries—anytime.OSMC now partners with the HURT! App to provide free virtual after-hours access to orthopedic specialists
Soreness vs. Injury: How to Tell the Difference
Typical soreness after pickleball usually appears 12 to 24 hours later and improves gradually over a few days. This soreness often responds well to rest, stretching, light movement, and hydration. However, if your back pain begins suddenly during play, limits your mobility, radiates into your hip or leg, or makes standing, bending, or walking difficult, it could indicate a strain, tendon injury, disc irritation, or joint inflammation.
Persistent pain is your body’s signal that something is not healing correctly. Identifying and treating the issue early can prevent further damage and reduce the risk of long-term pain. Not sure if your back pain from the pickleball court is serious? OSMC offers free, around-the-clock virtual injury support via the HURT! App—connect with an orthopedic specialist anytime.
Common Pickleball-Related Back Injuries
While muscle soreness is common, the repetitive bending, twisting, and reaching motions involved in pickleball can also lead to more serious injuries. These may include lumbar strains, facet joint inflammation, sciatica from irritated spinal nerves, herniated discs, and overuse-related tendon or ligament injuries. Adults who return to activity after being less active for a while are especially at risk because the spine and core may not be conditioned for sudden rotational stress. If pain does not improve or returns whenever you play, seeing an orthopedic specialist at OSMC can help you protect your spine while staying active.
How OSMC Can Help You Recover With the HURT! App
At OSMC, our orthopedic specialists evaluate your symptoms, movement patterns, and activity history to determine the source of your back pain. Treatment may include targeted physical therapy, guided strengthening, posture correction, anti-inflammatory care, bracing, or advanced pain-relief options, depending on your diagnosis. Our goal is to help you heal, restore strength, and return to pickleball comfortably and confidently. Get free virtual guidance from OSMC orthopedic specialists through the HURT! App—available 24/7, so you can get back to playing sooner.
FAQ
Should I Stop Playing if I Have Back Pain After Pickleball?
If the pain is severe, recurring, or interfering with daily movement, rest and schedule an evaluation to prevent worsening injury.
Can Stretching Help Back Soreness from Pickleball?
Stretching can help with mild soreness, but persistent or sharp pain requires orthopedic assessment.
When is Back Pain Considered Serious?
Pain that radiates down the leg, causes numbness, weakness, or limits standing and walking should be evaluated right away.
Muscle Soreness Treatment and Help with the HURT! App
If pickleball is causing back pain and you are unsure whether it is muscle soreness or something more serious, OSMC’s orthopedic specialists are here to help. We provide expert evaluation and personalized treatment to help you stay active and enjoy the adult activities you love without pain. If you HURT, don’t wait. Book an appointment online or use the HURT! App to begin your recovery and get back on the court with confidence.
