by Dr. David Iacuone | May 11, 2025 | Chiropractor, Exercise, inflammation, shockwave, sport
Pickleball injuries and Chiropractic Care:
Preventing Injuries and Speeding Recovery
We are seeing more and more patients with pickleball injuries seeking out chiropractic care. It’s not surprising considering pickleball has taken the world by storm, becoming one of the fastest-growing sports in North America. Roughly 20-40 million people will play this year and it’s easy to see why — it’s fun, social, and suitable for all ages. But like any sport, pickleball has its own set of common injuries, and for those who love to play, staying healthy and active is key. That’s where chiropractic care and advanced therapies like shockwave treatment come into play.
Common Pickleball Injuries
While pickleball is considered a low-impact sport, its quick movements, rapid direction changes, and repetitive motions can lead to a range of injuries. Some of the most common pickleball injuries include:
- Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis): Maybe it should be called pickleball elbow, but that really doesn’t have the same ring to it. Either way it presents as pain on the outside of the elbow caused by overuse of the forearm muscles.
- Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis): Pain on the inside of the elbow due to repetitive gripping and swinging.
- Shoulder Strains and Rotator Cuff Injuries: Caused by overhead serves and aggressive volleys.
- Ankle Sprains: Resulting from quick direction changes or unstable surfaces.
- Knee Pain or Strains: Often from sudden stops, pivots, or improper footwear.
- Plantar Fasciitis: Heel pain caused by repeated stress on the foot arch.
Most injuries are caused from repetitive stress, a word of caution bone fractures while playing pickleball are on the rise . There is nothing wrong with a little competition, but pickleball is meant to be fun, so perhaps let that tough shot go instead of diving for it.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help Pickleball Players
At Desert Valley Chiropractic, we specialize in gentle, effective chiropractic care using the Activator Methods technique. Our approach is ideal for pickleball players because it provides safe, precise adjustments without the twisting, cracking, or popping associated with traditional chiropractic care.
- Relieves Pain: Our adjustments help align the joints and reduce stress on the muscles, relieving pain in the elbows, shoulders, knees, and back.
- Improves Flexibility and Mobility: Regular chiropractic care helps maintain joint function, keeping you moving well on the court.
- Reduces Recovery Time: By improving circulation and reducing inflammation, chiropractic care helps you bounce back faster from minor strains or soreness.
Shockwave Therapy for Fast Injury Recovery
For players dealing with stubborn pain or chronic injuries that may be keeping you off the court Shockwave Therapy is a game-changer. This non-invasive treatment uses high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate healing in damaged tissues. It is particularly effective for:
- Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow: Breaking down scar tissue and encouraging healing in the tendons.
- Rotator Cuff Injuries: Promoting blood flow and reducing inflammation in the shoulder.
- Plantar Fasciitis: Relieving stubborn heel pain by accelerating tissue repair.
- Chronic Tendon Injuries: Encouraging faster recovery from overuse injuries common in pickleball.
Prevention of Pickleball Injuries
It is nice to know there are options to help in case of an injury, however it is always wise to focus on prevention first. A great way to avoid an injury while playing pickleball to warm up effectively. Here are 5 effective stretches to perform before playing pickleball to help prevent injuries:
- Shoulder Cross-Body Stretch
- How to Do It: Stand tall. Bring one arm across your chest and use the opposite hand to gently press it towards your body, feeling a stretch in your shoulder.
- Hold for: 15-20 seconds on each side.
- Benefits: Helps warm up the shoulder muscles, reducing the risk of shoulder strains.
- Arm circles
- How to Do It: Stand tall. Bring both arms out to your side. Start and rotate your arms in circles moving forward for 20 repetitions, then repeat moving backwards.
- Benefits: Helps warm up the shoulder muscles, and “lubricate” the shoulder joint reducing the risk of shoulder strains.
- Hip Circles and leg swing
- How to Do It: Use a stationary object for balance and do one leg at a time. Swing the leg back and forth and then side to side. Lifting the foot up and bending at the knee, make circular motions at the hip joint
- Benefits: Helps warm up the legs and hip joints
- Standing Quad Stretch
- How to Do It: Stand tall, grab your ankle, and pull your heel towards your glutes while keeping your knees close together. Use a wall for balance if needed.
- Hold for: 15-20 seconds on each side.
- Benefits: Loosens the thigh muscles, reducing knee strain.
- Torso twists or core warm up
- How to Do it: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and arms outstretched. Twist your torso to the right, then to the left, in a controlled motion.
Why Choose Desert Valley Chiropractic for Pickleball Injury Care?
At Desert Valley Chiropractic our Phoenix Top Doctors, we combine our expertise in gentle chiropractic care with the latest in technology, including Shockwave Therapy. Our personalized approach helps you stay active, recover faster, and play your best game — without pain holding you back.
If you’re an avid pickleball player or just getting started, don’t let injuries keep you off the court. Contact us today at (602) 439-1515 or visit our website at desertvalleychiropractic.com to schedule your appointment and keep your game strong.
by Dr. Katherine | Oct 21, 2024 | biohacks, Health, pain, wellness
“Welcome to “Inflammation Season”! 🎃🍁
Happy October and Welcome to Inflammation Season! As we move into the fall, it is the time when pumpkin spice and holiday goodies take over. From Halloween candy to Thanksgiving pies, Christmas cookies, Hanukkah latkes, and festive cocktails, it’s the season of indulgence!
By the time December rolls around, my office is usually full of patients feeling under the weather, battling colds, flu, fatigue, and flare-ups. When we get to talking, the culprit is often accidental overindulgence during the holidays. But don’t worry—I’m a huge fan of holiday fun, too! The joy, gratitude, and connections are important for your well-being. So, what’s the solution? It all comes down to **awareness** and **balance**.
Sugar and Inflammation
Sugar plays a significant role in promoting inflammation in the body. Consuming excessive amounts of refined sugars can lead to spikes in blood glucose levels, which triggers the release of inflammatory cytokines—molecules that cause inflammation as part of the immune response. Over time, this chronic inflammation can contribute to the development of various health issues such as joint pain, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Reducing sugar intake helps to decrease inflammation, supporting better overall health, reducing pain, and improving energy levels. Opting for whole, unprocessed foods is a key strategy in managing inflammation and maintaining a balanced diet.
Awareness 🌟
Holiday temptations are everywhere, starting with Halloween candy in October, and continuing through New Year’s with rich meals, desserts, and festive drinks. It’s easy to overdo it without realizing it! Here are some tips to help you stay mindful and keep your body balanced:
– Skip the candy bowl 🍬 or hand out treats you don’t particularly like.
– Space out indulgences—don’t let every day become a dessert day.
– Balance treats with nutrient-rich foods, like vegetables and lean proteins 🥦🍗.
– Use holiday spices like cinnamon, which can help regulate blood sugar.
– Support your immune system by taking vitamin D and fish oil.
– Limit alcohol, which depletes important nutrients like magnesium and B vitamins. Be sure to replenish them with healthy foods or supplements.
Balance⚖️
The holidays are all about enjoyment, so don’t deprive yourself! The key is balance:
– Plan your week – enjoy treats, but balance them with nutritious meals.
– Say “no” when needed – It’s okay to decline some activities to rest and avoid burnout. 🎉🚫
– Take downtime to relax and recharge—this will help prevent overindulging and exhaustion.
– Get outside! Enjoy Phoenix’s fall weather with walks or hikes instead of sugary coffee dates. 🚶♂️🌞
– Exercise and chiropractic care can help reduce inflammation and support your body during this busy season.
– Rest! Sleep is crucial for staying healthy and energized.
– Stay hydrated and consider adding a high-quality protein supplement to offset the effects of sugar.
Remember, you can enjoy the best of the season without feeling run down by January. Stay consistent with your health plan, prioritize your well-being, and let’s head into the new year feeling strong and refreshed!
From the Team at Desert Valley Chiropractic we hope you enjoy this season of gratitude and connection!
by Dr. Katherine | Oct 15, 2024 | biohacks, Chiropractic In Phoenix, Chiropractor, Health, Uncategorized, wellness
How to Get the Most Out of Maintenance Chiropractic Care
You’ve made great strides in your health, and now it’s time to protect that investment with regular chiropractic maintenance care. At Desert Valley Chiropractic in Moon Valley, we believe that maintenance care is crucial for long-term wellness, helping you move better, feel better, and enjoy life to the fullest.
Here are a few tips to make the most out of your chiropractic maintenance care:
1. Don’t Skip Visits
Consistency is key! Pre-scheduling your maintenance care appointments ensures you stay on track. Regular chiropractic adjustments keep your body aligned and help prevent potential setbacks. Set reminders and prioritize your health to maintain the benefits you’ve worked hard to achieve.
2. Move Every Day
Incorporating daily movement into your routine is essential for keeping your body in top condition between visits. A simple 30-minute walk can work wonders in keeping your muscles and joints flexible while supporting spinal health. Daily movement is a great complement to your adjustments and helps you stay active and mobile.
3. Practice Vagus Nerve Exercises
Your nervous system plays a big role in overall health, and vagus nerve exercises can help keep it regulated. Activities like deep breathing, humming, or gargling stimulate the vagus nerve, which helps your body stay balanced. These exercises are simple but effective in promoting nervous system health. Curious about vagus nerve exercises? Check out our blog post on biohacking for more details.
4. Use Ice for Small Inflammations
Small flare-ups or inflammations may happen occasionally, but applying ice can soothe these areas and keep you feeling great. Ice helps reduce swelling and inflammation, making it a simple, effective tool to have on hand. For more tips on when to use ice or heat, check out our helpful guide.
5. Incorporate At-Home Exercises
Staying proactive with nerve flossing and core exercises can make a big difference in maintaining the results of your chiropractic care. These exercises help support your spine and nervous system, prolonging the benefits of your adjustments. Adding just a few minutes of these exercises into your daily routine can boost your overall wellness.
6. Address Flare-Ups Quickly
If you feel any pain or discomfort lasting 24-48 hours between visits, don’t hesitate to call us for an appointment. We recommend catching flare-ups early to get you back on track with your maintenance care plan.
Why Maintenance Care Matters
Regular chiropractic maintenance is the smartest choice for keeping your spine healthy and your body functioning at its best. Whether you’re dealing with past injuries or aiming for long-term wellness, staying consistent with care will help you continue to live pain-free.
Ready to schedule your next visit? Contact the Top Rated Chiropractors in Moon Valley today and let’s keep you moving and feeling great!
by Dr. David Iacuone | Oct 11, 2024 | Chiropractic In Phoenix, Chiropractor, low back pain, sciatica
The Gentle Chiropractic Approach to Sciatica
There can be a gentle Chiropractic approach for Sciatica relief. Unfortunately Sciatica is far too common, and it affects many individuals in North Phoenix. The classic presentation includes pain that radiates from the lower back down one or both legs. Whether it’s due to prolonged sitting, heavy lifting, or even a sudden injury, sciatica can be a debilitating issue that interferes with your daily life. Fortunately, chiropractic care offers a non-invasive, drug-free solution to relieve sciatica pain and restore your quality of life.
What is Sciatica?
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, and it can becomes irritated or compressed. This results in sharp pain, tingling, or numbness along the nerve’s pathway. Typically, it will only affect one side of the body, but it can travel down both legs. Sciatica often stems from conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, joint misalignment or muscle imbalances in the lower back and hips.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help Sciatica?
At Desert Valley Chiropractic, located in the heart of North Phoenix, we understand Sciatica and use gentle chiropractic techniques like the Activator Method to address the root cause of sciatica. Here’s how chiropractic care can help:
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Relieves Pressure on the Sciatic Nerve
Chiropractic adjustments help realign the spine, reducing pressure on the sciatic nerve and alleviating pain. By targeting the source of the problem, Activator Chiropractic adjustments can improve joint alignment, and reduce inflammation at the nerve root. Less nerve pressure and inflammation will promote healing and provides long-term relief.
Also, adjusting with the Activator Instrument there is no rotation of the patient’s body. This avoids unnecessary torque near the irritated nerve.
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Improves Mobility
Sciatica can limit your ability to move comfortably, making even simple tasks like walking, sitting or putting on your socks difficult. Chiropractic adjustments help restore normal motion in the spine and joints, allowing you to move freely and with less discomfort. If your spine moves better, you will move better.
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Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is often a key factor in sciatica pain. There will always be inflammation at the nerve root (where the nerve exits the spine) putting added pressure on the nerve making the pain worse. Chiropractic care not only helps to reduce this inflammation but also improves nerve function, ensuring that your body can heal properly.
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Resetting or Co-Activation of The Nerve Fibers
With over 200 research papers published, Chiropractic Adjustment with the Activator Adjusting Instrument have been shown to “reset” the nerve fibers. There is a deep physiological change that occurs in the spinal joint and the nerve to improve function and reduce pain.
Why Choose Chiropractic Care in North Phoenix?
At Desert Valley Chiropractic, we take pride in offering compassionate, expert care for patients suffering from sciatica and other conditions. Our Activator Method ensures safe, gentle adjustments that provide effective relief without the twisting or popping often associated with traditional chiropractic methods. Located conveniently in North Phoenix, we serve the local community with the highest level of care to help you get back to living your life, pain-free.
If you’re experiencing sciatica pain, don’t wait for it to worsen. Schedule an appointment with Desert Valley Chiropractic today and experience the benefits of gentle, effective chiropractic care. Let us help you find relief and improve your overall health and well-being.
by Dr. Katherine | Oct 8, 2024 | Chiropractic In Phoenix, Chiropractor, Health, Injury, Neck Pain, pain
Do You Need X-rays Before Seeing a Chiropractor?
When searching for chiropractic care in North Phoenix, you might wonder if X-rays are necessary before starting treatment. The short answer? Not always! While some chiropractic techniques rely on X-rays to determine the best approach, Desert Valley Chiropractic takes a different route to deliver personalized and effective care.
Why Some Chiropractors Use X-rays
While some experts consider it controversial many chiropractic offices use X-rays to guide manual adjustments. This may help the doctor know exactly where and how to adjust. This is particularly important for techniques that involve rotation or extension of the spine, as these movements can stress the joints if not carefully controlled. X-rays provide a clear view of the spine’s structure, helping chiropractors perform these techniques safely.
However, at Desert Valley Chiropractic, we use Activator Methods—a gentle, low-force technique that doesn’t involve any twisting, popping, or cracking. Because we don’t perform these manual adjustments, we rarely need X-rays to guide our treatments. Instead, we use detailed assessments such as leg checks, segment testing, and MyoVision EMG technology to determine which areas of your spine need attention.
What About Injuries or Underlying Conditions?
Of course, there are still scenarios where X-rays can be beneficial, such as screening for injuries such as a car accident, pathologies, or other underlying conditions. If we believe an X-ray is necessary based on your symptoms, medical history, or response to care, we refer you to a trusted radiology facility. There, a board-certified radiologist will review your films and provide us with a comprehensive report.
The added bonus of this approach is that your X-ray results are stored in a patient portal, making them accessible to your other healthcare providers if needed. This way, you have a thorough record of your health history that goes beyond just your chiropractic visits.
What About the Radiation?
Some patients are concerned about the radiation of an X-ray. Rest assured they are safe. For example, the radiation from a chest X-ray is the equivalent to 10 days outside in the environment. So, if we determine an X-ray is necessary, we will discuss the reasons why and you can breathe easy because they are a sage diagnostic tool.
If You Don’t Use X-ray, What Do You Use?
As mentioned above we use technology called Myovision. MyoVision is an advanced diagnostic tool similar to an EKG for activity of heart Muscle. The Myovision scan provides detailed insights into how your muscles and spine are functioning together. This state-of-the-art technology uses surface electromyography (sEMG) to measure the electrical activity in your muscles. Giving us a real-time snapshot of any areas of muscle tension, imbalance, or stress. The MyoVision scan is quick, non-invasive, and completely safe. Making it an ideal tool to use during your initial exam and throughout your care plan to track your progress.
The data collected by MyoVision along with a physical exam helps us pinpoint problem areas that may not be apparent through traditional assessment methods. By understanding how your muscles are responding to nerve signals, we can fine-tune our treatment approach to ensure that each adjustment is as effective as possible.
At Desert Valley Chiropractic in North Phoenix, we utilize MyoVision technology to complement our Activator Methods technique, allowing us to deliver precise, customized care without the need for X-rays in most cases. This way, you can have confidence that your treatment is guided by the most accurate and up-to-date information available.
Why Choose Desert Valley Chiropractic?
With over 300 five-star Google reviews, we are proud to be one of North Phoenix’s top-rated chiropractic offices. Our patients appreciate the gentle approach of Activator Methods, which has made a life-changing impact on many people dealing with pain and discomfort. Whether you’re dealing with a recent injury, chronic pain, or just looking to maintain your health, we’re here to support your wellness journey.
Ready to experience the Desert Valley difference? Call us today at 602-439-1515 to schedule your first visit!
