Tennis is an excellent way to stay active, challenge your cardiovascular system, maintain coordination, and enjoy competition as you get older.
But tennis also asks a lot from your knees
Golf is often considered a low-impact sport.
There is no running. No jumping. No repeated cutting like you see in tennis or pickleball.
So why does your knee hurt when you golf?
For many golfers—particularly active adults over 50—the answer has less to do with golf being “bad for your knees” and more to do with the combination of rotation, weight transfer, strength, mobility, walking, and repetition required during a round.
Research examining golf biomechanics has shown that the knees experience substantial forces and complex rotational movements during the golf swing, particularly during the downswing and follow-through.1
Have you noticed that you sit or stand more hunched over than you used to?
Perhaps your shoulders round forward, your head drifts in front of your body, or your lower back becomes tired after standing, walking, cooking, or playing golf.
Many people respond by repeatedly telling themselves to “stand up straight.” They may stretch their shoulders, buy a posture brace, or consciously pull their shoulders back.
These strategies may provide a temporary change, but posture is not simply a position you need to correct.
Almost everyone experiences back pain at some point in life. Nearly 8 out of 10 adults will experience significant low back pain during their lifetime, making it one of the leading causes of disability worldwide.¹ For many adults over 50, back pain becomes much more than an occasional ache. It begins interfering with everyday activities such as golfing, playing pickleball, traveling, gardening, walking the beach, sleeping comfortably, or simply picking up grandchildren. The encouraging news is that most episodes of back pain improve without surgery, and many people can significantly reduce pain and improve function through education, exercise, lifestyle changes, and individualized treatment.²
Pickleball has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States — and for good reason. It’s social, enjoyable, easy to learn, and an excellent way for adults over 50 to stay active.¹
However, as participation has increased, so have injuries. One of the most common complaints among recreational pickleball players is low back pain.²
If your back hurts during or after playing, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give up the sport. In many cases, back pain develops because of a combination of movement patterns, muscle endurance, mobility limitations, and training habits that can often be improved.³ Understanding these contributing factors is the first step toward enjoying pickleball with greater comfort and confidence.
“Can my nerves heal?” It’s one of the first questions we hear from patients. Unfortunately, you’ve probably seen conflicting information online. Some websites promise to “reverse neuropathy naturally in 30 days.” Others tell you “nothing can be done.” The truth lies somewhere in the middle.
We Help Active Adults And Athletes Preserve Their Active Lifestyles, Despite Injury Or Surgery, Through Physical Therapy And Wellness. Your Health Is An Investment, Not An Expense.
