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The Best Offense is Good Defense!
By: Our Medical Team | November 26, 2024
Pickleball Enthusiasts, Stay on the Court and “Out of the Kitchen” With Regenerative Therapies
Temperatures are finally reasonable in Arizona and that means one thing — everyone outside! The Valley of the Sun is a fantastic place to experience the Southwest during the cooler months, and for pickleball aficionados there’s no better time to get on the court. Fans and pros alike will be out in force at the National Pickleball Championships in Mesa in November. If you’re inspired to grab a paddle but fear of injury is keeping you out of the game, it’s time to explore protective, preemptive therapies that will have you doing the sport you love — or would at least love to try — in no time.
Like tennis, pickleball asks a lot of the human body, from the twisting swing of the paddle, to quick bursts of lateral movement, to turn-on-a-dime pivots that send you one way when you fully intended to go another. The fast, fun sport is easy to pick up — but it’s also easy to pick up an unexpected injury. The best offense is a good defense. Choosing high-quality, stable and supportive footwear designed for court sports is a great place to start, as is staying hydrated before, during and after the match to ward off lightheadedness that can lead to falls. Strengthening core muscles, stretching to maintain flexibility and staying aware of proper body mechanics as you volley can also ward off injury. And believe it or not, proper equipment selection matters. A too-heavy paddle can result in injuries over time, as can one that’s the wrong length, width or has an uncomfortable grip size.
“Picklers” can also maintain musculoskeletal movement and stay pain-free with IV biologics and wellness therapies that help them recover quickly from sports-related aches before they escalate into something more serious. Regenerative treatments can replenish the body after an active day. Athletes — professionals, weekend warriors and everyday exercisers alike — often choose elite IV therapies to optimize performance, reduce muscle soreness and shorten recovery times. These formulations commonly include amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins and electrolytes that increase endurance, speed post-exercise recovery, diminish inflammation and restore hydration. IV therapies are extremely safe when administered by trained clinical professionals.
When minor aches or twinges make an appearance, biologic therapies can stimulate faster, more complete repair of muscles and tissues. Biologic therapy is an exceptional way to address injured areas non-surgically with highly concentrated nutrients and proteins that work on a cellular level to reduce inflammation, initiate cellular repair and stimulate the production of healthy new tissue. Biologic therapy is natural and non-toxic, and it is delivered precisely where needed through safe, image-guided injections in an outpatient setting. For those who prefer, light, conscious sedation is an option.
As well, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has proven to be an effective natural alternative to steroid injections for the treatment of pain. Derived directly from one’s own blood, PRP is a concentration of platelets that can be used to accelerate healing. Using fluoroscopy or ultrasound, PRP is injected precisely in the region of an injury, such as a tennis elbow, sore knee, pulled muscle or overused wrist. The natural growth hormones and proteins in PRP signal tissues to rebuild, speeding recovery time.
For those whose leaky discs, lumbar damage or chronic back pain are keeping them off the pickleball court, non-surgical treatments can address the root cause of pain. Consultation with an interventional physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor can help you determine the best route to back to pain-free play, whether that is pulsed radiofrequency, steroid injections, the revolutionary Discseel® procedure or another biologic treatment approach.
At Southwest Spine and Sports, we focus on the emerging field of regenerative medicine to prevent injury, treat pain and help patients regain function, or return to, the active lifestyle they deserve by restoring health to damaged tissue and joints.
Get back on court and “Stay out of the kitchen” once more — schedule a regenerative treatment or consultation today.
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