Pickleball Shoulder Pain! How Physical Therapy Can Help You Get Back in the Game

Hey there, Carson City!

We see you out there on the pickleball courts—smashing serves, dinking like a champ, and chasing down every ball like it’s the finals. Pickleball is a blast, and it’s no wonder so many of us have caught the bug. But if your shoulder has started talking back (and not in a friendly way), pickleball shoulder pain might be the reason—we’re here to help.

At The Health Lab, we know all about those pesky rotator cuff overuse injuries that can sneak up on even the most careful players. But don’t worry—we’ve got your back (and your shoulder) with hands-on care, fun strengthening exercises, and a whole lot of encouragement. So let’s break it down!

What Is the Rotator Cuff Anyway?

Your rotator cuff is a group of four tiny muscles in your shoulder. They help you lift your arm, rotate it (hence the name), and keep everything working smoothly. You use these muscles all the time in pickleball—especially for serves, smashes, and reaching shots that are just out of reach, which can often lead to pickleball shoulder pain.

But here’s the thing: the rotator cuff can get grumpy when it’s overworked, tired, or put in weird positions too often. That can lead to soreness, pain when lifting your arm, or even that weird clicking feeling.

The Usual Story: What Most People Think Is Wrong

Okay, so you feel shoulder pain, and what do most people do? They Google something like “rotator cuff tears” and end up in a rabbit hole of scary words: torn tendons, impingement, degeneration, and you’ll-never-play-again-itis.

Yikes.

That’s what we call the pathoanatomical model—it focuses only on what might be “broken” in your body. While this model can sometimes be helpful (like if you fall off a ladder or get hit by a bus), it’s not the best way to think about shoulder pain, especially for active folks like you.

Why? Because most shoulder pain from pickleball is not about major damage. Even people with no pain at all can show little tears or weird things on an MRI. The truth is, your body is super strong and adaptable. A sore rotator cuff doesn’t mean it’s torn to shreds or that you’re broken. It probably just needs a little care, attention, and smart movement.

A Better Way: The Biopsychosocial Model

Now here’s the good stuff. At The Health Lab, we use something called the biopsychosocial model. (Don’t worry, it sounds fancier than it is.)

What does it mean? Simple:

• Bio = Your body and how it moves

• Psycho = Your thoughts, stress, and how you feel

• Social = Your life, your routines, and the people around you

Pain isn’t just about muscles and tendons—it’s about the whole you. Maybe your shoulder started hurting because you played six games in a row (go you!). Or maybe it’s because you’re stressed, haven’t been sleeping great, and your muscles are tight from sitting at work all day. It’s all connected.

We look at the big picture and work with you—not just your shoulder—to help you heal, feel better, and get back to playing pickleball pain-free.

How Physical Therapy at The Health Lab Can Help

Let’s talk about what makes our care special.

Hands-On Help

Our physical therapists use manual therapy—that’s a fancy term for skilled hands-on treatment. We gently move your shoulder, stretch tight areas, and help things feel better right away. It’s like your shoulder gets a little spa day (with science behind it). Some tools that are under “manual therapy” include: dry needling, joint mobilization, myofascial release, tooling, and much more. 

Smart Exercises

We’ll show you fun, easy moves that build up strength in your rotator cuff and nearby muscles. You won’t be stuck doing boring stuff either—we keep it interesting and make sure it fits your game. Even better as the hands on help makes the shoulder feel better, pickleball ends up being therapeutic for the shoulders recovery, so go play!

Think resistance bands, light weights, and balance drills that mimic how you actually move on the court. You’ll build strength, confidence, and control.

Education & Confidence

We teach you what’s going on in your body and why you don’t need to fear the worst. Your shoulder is tough and can heal—and we’ll show you how.

Pain is scary when you don’t understand it or when you're given misleading information by other providers. That’s why we take time to answer all your questions and give you tools to take charge of your own healing.

You’re Not Broken—You Just Need a Plan

At The Health Lab, we believe in helping you move better, feel stronger, and get back to doing what you love. Whether you’re a pickleball pro or just play for fun, your shoulder pain doesn’t have to sideline you.

So don’t let that soreness keep you off the court. Let’s work together to get you moving again—with less pain and more confidence.

Ready to Feel Better? Come See Us!

We offer a free 30-minute discovery visit to see if we’re a good fit for you. There’s no pressure—just a chance to ask questions, share your story, and get expert advice.

Here’s how to connect:

📍 Visit us in person at The Health Lab in Carson City

📞 Call or text us at (775) 525-8681

💻 Book online at www.nvhealthlab.com

📧 Or send us a message on Instagram or Facebook—whatever’s easiest for you!

Let’s team up, get that shoulder happy again, and help you win the next pickleball match—without pain holding you back.