How Andrew Recovered in Just 14 Days to Compete in the Pickleball World Cup

When Andrew, a standout player for Team Nicaragua, injured his calf and developed a pickleball elbow, he feared he’d have to miss the Pickleball World Cup in Peru. With only 14 days until the competition, we had no time to waste.

Step 1: A Thorough Assessment

We began with a detailed case history and discovered something crucial: Andrew had previously fractured the same ankle as his current calf strain. This insight was critical.

Next, we conducted an in-depth physical exam on the treatment table and through a movement screen. Here’s what we found:

• Ankle Imbalances: His injured ankle didn’t move as efficiently as his other side.
• Right Arm Mobility Issues: The arm affected by the pickleball elbow had a limited range of motion compared to his left.
• Stiff Spine and Hip: His spine and right hip were less mobile, which could be contributing to the strain on his calf and elbow.
• You can see our first treatment session in this short video: https://youtu.be/q93Q0WiB6co.

Step 2: The Treatment Plan

Armed with this information, we tailored a recovery plan:

• Manual Therapy: We targeted the stiff areas to improve joint mobility and relieve tension.
• Movement Rehabilitation: Focused exercises addressed the imbalances in his ankles and arms, ensuring proper mechanics.
• Electrical Stimulation: This accelerated muscle recovery and reduced inflammation in his calf and elbow using a small electrical device that can help decrease pain and increase healing.
• Strengthening: We built strength in the muscles supporting his calf and arm to enhance stability and prevent re-injury.
• With just 7 days to go, you can see his progress in this video: https://youtu.be/EWbMSg-p6tI

The Results

After just two weeks, Andrew was back to full strength and ready to compete on the world stage. He recovered in record time and returned more balanced and resilient than before.

See the last video in this series for our 3rd and final treatment, and find out how he got on in the World Cup: https://youtu.be/ABxtVp7J6zc.??

If you’re facing similar challenges, know that recovery doesn’t have to mean sitting on the sidelines. With the right approach, you can return to doing what you love—more vital than ever.? If you want to work with me using online exercise to speed up your recovery, drop me a line at [email protected], and I’d be happy to jump on a call with you and see how I can help.?