Nadal , Novak Djokovic , LeBron James , and Lionel Messi — to name a few of the recent greats to perform at a high level and extend their careers !
Pickleball should be no exception . Currently , the pickleball tournament schedule is very intense for most touring pros : 15-20 tournaments a year , with each player playing at least two events ( sometimes three ). Add on two days of traveling on either end of the tournament , and you are looking at 75-100 days on the road just to compete . In addition , players are dedicating more time to practicing and honing their craft , and are more athletic than even a few years ago . The training required to be in shape to compete at the highest level has become more intense ( just look at the conditioning of Callie Smith , Ben Johns , or Tyson McGuffin ).
While most pro players still do not earn enough to make a living from tournaments and sponsors alone ( most still rely on teaching as a source of income ), a few players at the top of the pack are doing very well with endorsement deals , appearance fees , and tournament earnings . These players are now able to invest in themselves and have sought help from medical and fitness professionals to enhance their performance .
I am fortunate to be working with Ben Johns , the number-one player in the world , and be present at tournaments as his physical therapist . Sports physical therapists are experts in injury prevention and management , as well as recovery and performance enhancement specialists . Ben usually plays all three events ( singles , mixed doubles , and men ’ s doubles ), and ends up playing on Championship Sunday frequently ( often competing for triple crowns ). This means a lot of matches and a lot of wear and tear on his body during each tournament . My job is to provide Ben with support before , during , and after each match or competition day to ensure that he is in top physical condition every time he steps on the court . Here is an overview of what a sports physical therapist can provide for an athlete :
• The morning of each competition day – With Ben , we begin the day with an hour session to work on joint mobility and muscle flexibility , addressing any restrictions in muscle tissues that could affect his performance using various techniques such as spinal manipulations , joint mobilizations , trigger point and electrical dry needling , cupping , soft tissue mobilizations , and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation .
• Prior to every match – We perform a thorough dynamic warm-up , focusing on all muscle groups so that when Ben steps onto the court , we have minimized the risk of injury during the match . In addition , we utilize taping techniques as necessary for the match ahead .
• During the match – I am available if any physical complication occurs . If a medical time-out is required , providing “ on-court ” care to mitigate any injury gives Ben a chance to finish the match if the injury permits him to continue .
• Post-match – We perform a cool-down routine . This ensures better recovery for the next match and enables muscles to bounce back faster and reduce lactic acid and metabolic waste buildup in the tissues . Pickleball tournaments are often exhausting for players since they play multiple matches in a day . A proper cool-down routine is often overlooked and may be key in minimizing cramping and decreased athletic performance . In addition , we can address any muscle tightness or minor injury in between matches to get ready for the next opponents .
• After each day of competition – We end the day with another hour session to maximize recovery for the following day , addressing any muscle tightness and joint restrictions , aches and pains , and ensuring that tissues are properly stretched and released prior to the next day of competition . Once again , we utilize a variety of manual therapy techniques to achieve the desired results , and make sure the body is in optimal condition for the following day .
At the highest level of every sport , every little detail matters , and addressing any physical limitation can be the key to performing at your best . Having a medical team by your side as a professional athlete is a luxury each pickleball player would love to have . As pickleball continues to grow and evolve , it is apparent that medical professionals will become more involved to maximize the athletes ’ performances .
If you ’ d like to learn more about this , you can contact “ The Pickleball Doctor ” at
noe @ moveitpt . com . The Pickleball Doctor is the owner of Move It Physical Therapy in Chapel Hill , NC . Free 10-minute consults are available to see if it ’ s a good fit , and virtual sessions are available if you are not in the area . Movement Screens can be performed virtually , and Noe can provide you with the appropriate guidance to make sure you are ready to play this sport we all love ! •
Noe Sariban is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and owner of Move It Physical Therapy in Chapel Hill , NC . He is a certified pickleball teaching professional through the IPTPA , and the tournament physical therapist for the world ’ s # 1 men ’ s player , Ben Johns . Visit
thepickleballdoctor . com for more information on injury prevention and rehabilitation tips , and like his Facebook page ,
facebook . com / pickleballdoctor , for updates and new information .
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2023 | MAGAZINE 79