Short answer: Most nagging pickleball pain, like pickleball elbow, heel pain, Achilles pain, and shoulder tendon pain, comes from overuse of a tendon or the plantar fascia, and shockwave therapy is a proven, non-surgical way to help those tissues heal. Research shows shockwave can reduce pain and restore grip strength in tennis (pickleball) elbow and steadily ease heel pain from plantar fasciitis. At Adisi Health Center in Hinsdale, Dr. Steve Petzel treats pickleball injuries with Storz Medical radial and focused shockwave, and you can start with our $249 New Patient Special, which includes your exam and your first shockwave treatment. Call (630) 887-1900.

Why does pickleball cause so much elbow, heel, and shoulder pain?

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, especially for adults 50 and older, and the courts around Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Western Springs, and Downers Grove are busier than ever. The sport is fun and social, but it adds up to thousands of quick dinks, volleys, and short sprints to the kitchen line every week.

Researchers are starting to measure what that does to the body:

  • 1 in 3 players had an arm injury in the past year. In a 2026 nationwide survey of 1,758 adult pickleball players, 39% reported at least one upper extremity (shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, or hand) injury in the past 12 months, and chronic overuse problems were the most common type (41%). Playing more often each week and having played for a shorter time were linked to more injuries (Bellm et al., JOSPT Open, 2026; PubMed 42686154).
  • Age matters for legs and feet. A 2026 review of 15 studies found that lower extremity injuries are common in pickleball, and being 50 or older was a consistent risk factor across nearly all studies. Quick lunges forward were one of the main ways people got hurt (Okhovat et al., Cureus, 2026; PubMed 42291932).

In other words, it’s not usually one big injury. It’s the same small motion, repeated over and over, until a tendon gets irritated and stops healing on its own.

Pickleball paddle and yellow ball resting on a blue outdoor court, the kind of daily play that leads to pickleball elbow, heel pain, and shoulder pain treated with shockwave therapy in Hinsdale, IL

What are the most common pickleball overuse injuries?

These are the problems we hear about most from players, and all of them are conditions shockwave therapy is used for:

  • Pickleball elbow (tennis elbow): Pain on the outside of the elbow that gets worse when you grip the paddle, hit a backhand, shake hands, or lift a coffee cup. It’s the same condition as tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), just from a different paddle.
  • Golfer’s elbow: Pain on the inside of the elbow, often from forehands and wrist snaps.
  • Plantar fasciitis: Sharp heel pain with your first steps in the morning or after sitting, often made worse by quick starts and stops on hard courts.
  • Achilles tendinopathy: Pain and stiffness in the back of the heel or lower calf, especially when you push off to get to a drop shot.
  • Shoulder tendon pain: An ache in the shoulder with overheads and serves, often from the rotator cuff or calcium deposits in a tendon (calcific tendinitis).
  • Knee tendon pain: Pain just below the kneecap (patellar tendinitis) from all the lunging and bending.

Is pickleball elbow the same as tennis elbow?

Yes. “Pickleball elbow” is the everyday name for lateral epicondylitis, the same tendon problem as tennis elbow. Because pickleball paddles are solid and the ball comes off them quickly, and many players grip the paddle tightly at the kitchen line, the forearm tendons that attach to the outside of the elbow take a lot of repeated strain. Over time, those tendons can get irritated and stop healing on their own, which is why the pain can drag on for months.

Learn more in our posts on tennis elbow and shockwave therapy and golfer’s elbow treatment.

Does shockwave therapy work for pickleball injuries?

For the overuse tendon and heel problems that pickleball players get, the research is encouraging:

  • Pickleball (tennis) elbow: A 2022 network meta-analysis of 40 randomized trials compared shockwave with five kinds of injections for lateral epicondylitis. Shockwave beat placebo for pain relief in both the short term and the medium term (up to 12 months), ranked among the top two treatments for pain control, and ranked best of all for recovering grip strength. The authors also concluded that cortisone shots were not recommended for this condition (Liu et al., Arthroscopy, 2022; PubMed 35093494).
  • Heel pain from plantar fasciitis: In a 2020 study that followed people with stubborn plantar fasciitis for a full year after shockwave, heel pain dropped steadily at every check-in, from about 62 out of 100 before treatment to about 13 out of 100 at 12 months, and the thickened plantar fascia got thinner (Wu et al., Scientific Reports, 2020; PubMed 32054959).
  • Achilles pain: In a randomized trial of 75 people whose Achilles pain had lasted more than 6 months and hadn’t gotten better with injections, anti-inflammatories, or physical therapy, 52% of the shockwave group were completely recovered or much improved at 4 months, compared with 24% of people who just waited it out. Shockwave worked about as well as a structured eccentric exercise program (Rompe et al., American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2007; PubMed 17244902).

How does shockwave help an overused tendon heal?

Shockwave therapy uses strong sound-wave pulses to stimulate your body’s own healing response. At Adisi Health Center, that means increasing blood flow, breaking down scar tissue, and activating collagen production in the injured tendon or fascia.

We have both types of Storz Medical shockwave on site:

  • Focused shockwave concentrates energy at a precise depth, which suits deep tendon problems and calcium deposits in the shoulder
  • Radial shockwave spreads energy over a broader area, which suits tight forearm, calf, and shoulder muscles and trigger points

Many players benefit from both in the same session. Learn more in radial vs. focused shockwave explained.

Woman hitting a forehand on an indoor pickleball court, the repeated arm swing that can lead to pickleball elbow and shoulder pain treated with shockwave therapy in Hinsdale, IL

How many shockwave sessions does a pickleball injury need?

At Adisi Health Center, most patients see significant improvement after 6 sessions, each about 20 minutes and spaced about a week apart. Many people report a noticeable difference by sessions 3 or 4. Dr. Petzel builds your personalized plan from your exam, since an elbow that’s hurt for a year may need a different plan than a heel that started bothering you last month.

Can I keep playing pickleball during shockwave treatment?

There’s no downtime after a shockwave session, so you can drive home and go about your day. We do recommend avoiding high-impact activity for 24 to 48 hours after each session. Beyond that, Dr. Petzel will tell you how much play makes sense for your injury, and whether you should cut back on time on the court, change your grip, or add some strengthening while your tendon heals. Most people want to keep playing, and the goal is to get you back on the court with less pain, not to sideline you for good.

Wondering what a session feels like? Most people feel only mild discomfort, often described as a strong tapping. See does shockwave therapy hurt? for more.

What if I hurt in more than one place?

Many pickleball players come in with more than one problem, like an elbow and a heel, or a shoulder and a knee. If your pain is severe or you have several problem areas, our Recovery Memberships are the most complete way to recover faster. Both plans let you combine up to 4 therapies per visit, including shockwave, Class IV laser, EMTT, and TECAR, so every injured area gets treated at once. It’s a serious, accelerated recovery plan for getting back to pickleball, golf, walking, and sleeping through the night.

What can I do at home to protect my elbow, heels, and shoulders?

These habits support your progress between visits:

  • Warm up for 5 to 10 minutes before you play, with light movement for your arms, calves, and hips
  • Loosen your grip on the paddle between shots, since a constant death grip loads the elbow tendons
  • Wear court shoes with good support, not running shoes, and replace them when they wear down
  • Build up playing time gradually instead of jumping from one game a week to every day
  • Ice a sore area for 10 to 15 minutes after play if it flares up

When should I get help right away?

Shockwave is for overuse problems, not sudden, serious injuries. Get medical care right away if you feel a sudden pop in the back of your ankle and can’t push off or stand on your toes (a possible Achilles tendon rupture), if you fall and can’t put weight on a leg or move a wrist or arm, or if you have major swelling, a deformity, numbness, or weakness. Call 911 if arm or shoulder pain comes with chest pressure, shortness of breath, sweating, or nausea, since those can be signs of a heart problem.

Shockwave also isn’t right for everyone. Dr. Petzel reviews your full health history first and will tell you if another approach makes more sense.

Frequently asked questions

Does shockwave therapy work for pickleball elbow?
Research is encouraging. A 2022 review of 40 randomized trials found that shockwave beat placebo for elbow pain in the short and medium term, ranked among the top two treatments for pain control, and ranked best for recovering grip strength.

Is pickleball elbow the same as tennis elbow?
Yes. Pickleball elbow is lateral epicondylitis, the same tendon problem as tennis elbow. It causes pain on the outside of the elbow when you grip or lift.

What pickleball injuries can shockwave treat?
Shockwave is used for overuse problems such as tennis and golfer’s elbow, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, shoulder tendon problems including rotator cuff and calcific tendinitis, and patellar tendinitis in the knee.

How many shockwave sessions will I need?
At Adisi Health Center, most patients see significant improvement after 6 sessions, each about 20 minutes and spaced about a week apart. Many notice a difference by sessions 3 or 4.

Can I still play pickleball while getting shockwave?
There’s no downtime after a session, but we recommend avoiding high-impact activity for 24 to 48 hours afterward. Dr. Petzel will guide how much play makes sense for your injury.

Why do so many people over 50 get hurt playing pickleball?
Pickleball is especially popular with adults 50 and older, and research shows age 50 or older is a consistent risk factor for lower body pickleball injuries. Tendons also tend to heal more slowly with age, which is why overuse pain can linger.

How much does shockwave therapy cost in Hinsdale?
The $249 New Patient Special includes your exam and first shockwave treatment. A 6-session protocol is $1,050, a 10-pack is $1,650, and a single session is $200 per treatment area. HSA and FSA are accepted.

Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly, and same-week openings are often available.

Do you treat pickleball players from outside Hinsdale?
Yes. Players come to our office at 534 Chestnut Street, Suite 240 in downtown Hinsdale from Oak Brook, Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Western Springs, Downers Grove, Westmont, La Grange, and nearby towns.

Related reading: Tennis elbow and shockwave therapy, plantar fasciitis and shockwave therapy, Achilles tendinitis and back-of-heel pain, calcific tendinitis of the shoulder, jumper’s knee and patellar tendinitis, and shockwave therapy cost in Hinsdale

Ready to get back on the court?

The sooner you treat a nagging tendon, the sooner you can play pain-free again. Book your $249 New Patient Special, which includes your exam and first shockwave treatment, at adisihealth.com/schedule-an-appointment, call Adisi Health Center at (630) 887-1900, or email DrPetzel@AdisiHealth.com. Learn more about shockwave therapy in Hinsdale.

References

  1. Bellm EJV, Lindish J, Mourad W, Owoeye OBA. Understanding upper extremity injury prevalence and risk in pickleball players: a nationwide survey. JOSPT Open. 2026;4(2):174-180. PubMed 42686154
  2. Okhovat A, Ferkel E, Richards SA. Lower extremity injuries in adult pickleball players: a systematic review of injury types, mechanisms, and risk factors. Cureus. 2026;18(5):e108841. PubMed 42291932
  3. Liu WC, Chen CT, Lu CC, et al. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy shows superiority over injections for pain relief and grip strength recovery in lateral epicondylitis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Arthroscopy. 2022;38(6):2018-2034.e12. PubMed 35093494
  4. Wu CH, Lin YY, Chen WS, Wang TG. Sonoelastographic evaluation of plantar fascia after shock wave therapy for recalcitrant plantar fasciitis: a 12-month longitudinal follow-up study. Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):2571. PubMed 32054959
  5. Rompe JD, Nafe B, Furia JP, Maffulli N. Eccentric loading, shock-wave treatment, or a wait-and-see policy for tendinopathy of the main body of tendo Achillis: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Sports Med. 2007;35(3):374-383. PubMed 17244902

This article is for education only and is not medical advice. Results vary. Prices are current as of October 2026.

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