Stay in the Game: Managing Joint Discomfort  for Pickleball Lovers 

Pickleball paddle and balls on court, shot directly from above in flat lay style
Pickleball paddle and balls on court, shot directly from above in flat lay style

Which sport results in 67,000 emergency room visits per year? 

If you guessed football, soccer, basketball, baseball, or hockey, you’d be wrong…

The answer is also America’s fastest growing sport: 

Pickleball. 

The vast majority of these injuries are happening to people over 60 years old, and it’s taking quite the toll. And for the record, I have nothing against pickleball. We’ve written several articles on the sport, and I occasionally play with my husband and our friends—it’s a fun game. 

But the numbers don’t lie, and as with all physical activities, there are risks involved with participating. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do. In fact, with the right preparation, you might be able to elevate your pickleball game while also moving with more fluidity and less joint discomfort than you’ve felt in years. 

But before we discuss solutions to these types of injuries, let’s start at the beginning.

The Rise of Pickleball Among Older Adults

Fit older couple playing pickleball

Pickleball has rapidly become a favorite sport among older adults, with its combination of simplicity, low-impact exercise, and social interaction. Many communities now have dedicated pickleball courts, and it’s common to see players well into their 50s, 60s, and beyond enjoying the game.

It comes with plenty of benefits: 

Social Interaction: Pickleball fosters a strong sense of community. Players often form bonds that extend beyond the court.

Cardiovascular Health: The sport offers a great cardiovascular workout, improving heart health without the strain of high-impact sports.

Mental Well-being: Staying active and engaged in a sport can boost mental health, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

But as I mentioned earlier, it’s not without drawbacks, particularly joint discomfort.

Understanding Joint Discomfort

Outdoor, knee pain and hands of person after fitness accident, injury and muscle tension.

Approximately 90 million Americans suffer from joint discomfort. There are a few common causes you’re likely familiar with: 

Arthritis: A common condition in older adults, characterized by swelling of the joints, causing discomfort and stiffness.

Tendonitis: Irritation of a tendon, often due to overuse, leading to tenderness around the joint.

Past injuries: Previous injuries can lead to chronic joint issues and increase the likelihood of joint problems resurfacing or worsening over time.

Joint discomfort often manifests as sharp or aching pain during or after activity, accompanied by swelling around the joints. You may also experience stiffness, particularly after periods of inactivity, and the affected area may show signs of redness and warmth.

How Pickleball Can Aggravate Joint Pain

A female pickleball player returns a high pop up as her partner looks on.

Pickleball involves quick lateral movements, sudden stops, and repetitive motions, all of which can strain the joints. There are a number of high-impact movements that are specific to the sport: 

Sudden stops and starts: These can place significant stress on the knees and ankles.

Twisting and turning: Rapid changes in direction can exacerbate joint discomfort, particularly in the hips and lower back.

Repetitive motions: Continuous swinging of the paddle can lead to overuse injuries in the shoulders and elbows.

Pickleball is just one example of how many Americans are choosing to stay active. You may not be into pickleball…yet…but you may still be experiencing joint discomfort from another activity you love.

So the question is: How can you prevent or manage joint discomfort and still keep active and continue to do the activities you love?

4 Ways to Manage Joint Discomfort From Pickleball or other activities

couple playing pickleball game, hitting pickleball yellow ball with paddle, outdoor sport leisure activity.

Here’s how to keep yourself in the game.

1. Warm-up and stretching

Portrait of cheerful male athlete doing workout.

Preventing joint discomfort starts with proper warm-up and stretching. Performing dynamic stretches like leg swings and arm circles can help prepare the muscles and joints for activity. It is also important to begin with a gradual warm-up, incorporating light aerobic activity to increase blood flow to the muscles and joints.

2. Proper Technique

couple playing pickleball game, hitting pickleball yellow ball with paddle, outdoor sport leisure activity.

Using proper technique is crucial in reducing strain on the joints. Focus on employing good body mechanics, such as bending the knees instead of the back and using the legs to absorb impact. Additionally, practicing good footwork ensures that you are in the right position to make shots, minimizing awkward movements that could lead to joint pain.

3. High-Quality equipment

Hands, tie shoes and start tennis game, person on court with fitness and sports outdoor.

The right footwear and equipment also play a significant role in preventing joint discomfort. Wearing supportive shoes with good arch support and cushioning helps absorb impact and protect the joints. 

4. Give Your Body The Support it Needs With Dynamic Joint

Stonehenge Health Dynamic Joint

If you’re one of the 92 million Americans reporting that joint discomfort and limited range of motion is affecting your ability to enjoy your daily life (and your pickleball game!) this supplement can be the best decision you make regarding your joint supplement support.*

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Featuring AprèsFlex®, a proprietary extract of Boswellia serrata gum resin, Dynamic Joint can deliver improved joint comfort in as little as 5 days.* One week you’re reading this article, the next week you’re flying around the pickleball court dominating your friends and neighbors…

When I say this is a breakthrough supplement, I’m not exaggerating. The science and research behind our ingredients speak for themselves: 

In a clinical study, participants experienced remarkable benefits with ApresFlex®, including a 24.8% reduction in discomfort, a 47.6% reduction in stiffness, and a 21.2% improvement in physical function compared to placebo.**

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**Percentage improvements were calculated using the percent change between the supplemented group vs the placebo group in a clinical trial using AprèsFlex® at 100 mg/day.

Absolutely delicious AND heart-healthy: Seared Albacore Tuna and Citrus Avocado Salad

Mature woman making vegetable salad at table in kitchen
Mature woman making vegetable salad at table in kitchen

We only have two rules for dinner at my house: 

1. It has to be delicious

2. It has to contain nutrients to support overall wellness

Luckily, I have an easy recipe for you today that fills both of those promises. 

And as a bonus, it’s light and perfect for a warm summer evening… or lunch.

Seared Albacore Tuna with Citrus Avocado Salad

The reason I love the albacore tuna in this dish is because it’s high in protein and packs a heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids but still low in calories and contains no carbs

Here’s how Albacore Tuna stacks up:

A 6 ounce serving is roughly:

• 210 calories

• 40 grams of protein

• 5 grams of fat

• 0 carbs

• 0 sugar

I have a little more info I want to share with you about the science of Omega-3’s, but first I’ll get straight to the recipe.

Seared Albacore Tuna with Citrus Avocado Salad

cutting avocado into salad

Ingredients

For the tuna:

• 4 albacore tuna steaks (about 6 ounces each)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)

For the citrus avocado salad:

• 2 oranges, peeled and segmented

• 1 grapefruit, peeled and segmented

• 1 avocado, diced

• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

• 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced

• 1 handful of fresh mint leaves, chopped

• 1 handful of fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• Juice of 1 lime

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Prepare the salad:

• In a large bowl, combine the orange and grapefruit segments, avocado, red onion, cucumber, mint, and cilantro.

• Drizzle with olive oil and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

• Toss gently to combine and set aside.

Prepare the tuna:

• Pat the tuna steaks dry with paper towels. Brush both sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

• If using, sprinkle sesame seeds on both sides of the tuna steaks.

Sear the tuna:

• Heat a non-stick skillet or grill pan over high heat.

• Once the pan is hot, add the tuna steaks. Sear for about 1-2 minutes on each side for rare, or 3-4 minutes for medium-rare, depending on your preference.

• The tuna should have a nice sear on the outside while remaining pink in the center.

Serve:

• Arrange the citrus avocado salad on plates.

• Place the seared tuna steaks on top of the salad.

• Garnish with additional mint and cilantro leaves if desired.

• Serve immediately.

Optional:

• Add a light drizzle of balsamic glaze over the tuna for an extra touch of flavor.

• Serve with a side of quinoa or a light grain for a more filling meal.

This dish is not only visually appealing but also packed with flavors that complement the rich, buttery texture of albacore tuna. Enjoy!

Servings: 4

Per serving:

Calories: 490 / Fat: 30g / Protein: 40g / Carbohydrates: 17g / Sugar: 12g / Fiber: 8g

Recipe Card

You might be wondering: 

Why did you go with albacore tuna instead of something else, like salmon? 

Well, there are two reasons…

1. We eat a lot of salmon, and I like to mix it up

2. Albacore tuna is not only delicious, it contains more Omega-3 fatty acids than any other form of tuna (and more than salmon, also)

But if you’re not a fish lover or it’s not part of your diet…I urge you to make this salad and pair it with another great source of lean protein like chicken or turkey or beef.

But to be 100% honest with you, I don’t run around planning out my meals by calculating each nutrient down to the milligram. 

What am I supposed to do—bust out a calculator while I’m in the kitchen? That’s just not practical and frankly, sounds exhausting. 

But I do know for a fact that me and my entire family get the proper servings of Omega-3’s everyday, no matter what we eat. 

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100% source transparency on every bottle. 

Seriously, just scan the QR code on the bottom of the bottle with the camera app on your smartphone, input your batch number on our website, and you can see a map of the exact location where the krill in your bottle was harvested. 

Pretty neat, huh? 

Elevate your heart health and overall well-being with Stonehenge Health’s Dynamic Krill Oil.* 

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