Percussion massage delivers great deep tissue work
As pickleball continues to explode in popularity, more and more players are hitting the courts to get ready for a competitive winter and spring. But one wrong move could land you on the sidelines instead of on the court.
We spoke with Naples orthopedic surgeon Dr. Christina Kabbash about common pickleball injuries and how to avoid them.
Kabbash ranks these as the most common pickleball injuries he sees and a description of each injury from the Mayo Clinic.
Gastrocnemius tear: “Injury to a muscle or a tendon — the fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones. Minor injuries may
hIf you’re still searching for the ideal gift for that fitness enthusiast on your list — or just want to treat yourself to something new — you might want to consider purchasing a percussion massager.
Known colloquially as “massage guns,” these handheld devices deliver a deep, targeted, thumping massage to the surface of the skin.
This form of massage increases blood flow to a specific area of the body, and the enhanced blood flow lets nutrients, plasma and other naturally occurring healing properties flow to the site where the gun is applied. Think of it like a mechanized version of deep-tissue
only overstretch a muscle or tendon, while more severe injuries may involve partial or complete tears in these tissues.”
Achilles tendon rupture: “The Achilles tendon is a strong fibrous cord that connects the muscles in the back of your calf to your heel bone. If you overstretch your Achilles tendon, it can tear (rupture) completely or just partially.”
Tendonitis: “Inflammation of the thick
Swedish massage. This form of treatment increases your body’s ability to flush out metabolites like lactic acid and calcium, which can cause muscle contractions and soreness or pain after exercise.
Why pro athletes like massage guns
hhDuring his run to the U.S. Open title this year, world No. 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic regularly used a percussion massager on his quadriceps during changeovers.
And during a nationally televised NBA game last month, after tweaking his lower leg, Los Angeles Lakers star Lebron James could be seen on the bench receiving percussion massage treatment from a team trainer.
But of course, you need not be a star athlete to benefit from using a percussion massager.
As Dr. Michael Fredericson, a professor
fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone.”
Plantar fasciitis: “Inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of each foot and connects the heel bone to the toes.”
Ankle sprain: “Occurs when you roll, twist or turn your ankle in an awkward way. This can stretch or tear the tough bands of
hhof physical medicine and rehabilitation at Stanford University, told Consumer Reports “what’s unique about these guns is that they go much deeper than the handheld massagers used to go, so you really feel it.”
And their ease of use means you can use them before, during and/or after exercise or competition.
“[Percussion massagers] can also be good for warming up your muscles before you start an activity or helping with cool-down afterward,” said Cleveland Clinic physical therapist Gary Calabrese.
While research about the overall efficacy of percussion massagers is limited, Consumer Reports noted that “a small 2020 study in the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine found that