Summer Sports: Golf, Pickleball and Tennis without the Pain
Which is your summer sport? Is it golf, pickleball, or tennis? Whatever gets you moving, here’s how to keep playing without pain holding you back.
Golf has been in full swing at Hollinger, Spruce Needles, and Sandy Falls all summer. Tennis courts have their regulars. And pickleball — this sport has taken off around Timmins and many other places too. Whatever you’re playing, late summer is when these sports hit their stride. It’s also when the wear and tear on our bodies starts to show.
Golf or pickleball? Or something else?
Halfway through summer: how are you doing?
We’re at the midpoint of the season, which makes this a good moment for a quick check-in. How’s your body holding up?
If you’ve been playing all summer, think back over the last couple of months. Have you been stretching before you hit the course or court, or skipping it because you’re already running late? Are you drinking enough water during those long, hot rounds and matches, or realizing halfway through the back nine that you haven’t had anything since breakfast? Have you been taking a day or two off between games to let your body recover, or going full tilt every chance you get?
We’re not here to start a lecture — promise! It’s just worth pausing to notice the habits — stretching, hydrating, pacing yourself, and giving your body a little recovery time. If a few of them have slipped, there’s still plenty of summer left to bring them back.
On the course: preventing golf injuries
Golf looks relaxed, but the swing puts real demand on your body. Especially if you’re playing several rounds a week. Especially if that’s the only activity you get. The most common complaints we see at the clinic are in the shoulder, elbow, and back — usually from repetitive motion, and often made worse by a swing that’s compensating for tightness somewhere else.
A few things can help: warming up with some gentle rotational stretches before your first tee shot, rather than treating the first hole as your warm-up. Paying attention to your grip and swing mechanics, since a lot of elbow pain traces back to how the club is being held. And giving your back a break between rounds instead of playing every single day.
If you’ve been feeling a twinge you’re chalking up to “just part of the game,” it might be worth having someone take a look before it becomes something that keeps you off the course entirely.
On the court: tennis & pickleball without the ouch
Tennis elbow doesn’t just belong to tennis players anymore. Pickleball has brought a wave of new players into the fold, along with new aches. Shoulder strain from serving and overhead shots, knee issues from all that quick lateral movement, and yes, plenty of tennis elbow from the repeated impact of paddle or racquet meeting ball.
The good news is that most of these are preventable. A proper warm-up that includes your shoulders and wrists, not just a few leg stretches, goes a long way. So does paying attention to your equipment — the wrong grip size or a paddle that’s too heavy can put unnecessary strain on your elbow and wrist over time. And if you’re newer to pickleball, easing into it rather than playing three back-to-back games on your first week out will save you some grief.
The theme across all of these sports is the same: the goal isn’t just to get through this game or this round, it’s to still be playing comfortably in September. That means listening to your body when something feels off instead of pushing through it, building in rest between sessions, and addressing small issues before they become big ones.
How we can help
If your summer sport has started leaving its mark, our team has a few ways to help you keep playing.
Physiotherapy addresses the root cause of repetitive strain injuries, whether that’s a golf swing putting stress on your shoulder or a pickleball serve aggravating your elbow, and builds a plan to fix it.
Shockwave therapy is particularly effective for stubborn, localized issues like tennis elbow or persistent shoulder pain that hasn’t responded to rest alone.
Massage therapy helps release the muscle tension that builds up from repetitive swings and quick lateral movement, and supports faster recovery between games.
Chiropractic care can address the back and joint issues that often show up in golfers, especially when a swing has been compensating for tightness elsewhere.
Finish the season strong
There’s still plenty of golf, tennis, and pickleball left to play this summer. Whether you’re managing a nagging ache or just want to make sure you’re set up to keep playing pain-free through September, we’re here to help.
Come see us before the next round, match, or game — or after, if something’s bothering you. Either way, we’d love to help you finish the season strong — and remember this summer for the good times on the course or courts, not the aches and pains.