How Pickleball Helps Manage Arthritis

Increases Flexibility

While stretching is one of the most common ways for individuals to increase their flexibility, it can be difficult to push through static or boring stretching sessions. When individuals play pickleball, on the other hand, they often do not even notice how their muscles are getting the stretch they need as it increases flexibility in many joints. The hands, elbows, shoulders, back, hips, knees, and ankles are used naturally as a part of the game. Players get an increased stretch as they reach and move to try and connect with the ball, providing them with increased flexibility they do not have to focus on. Since joint stiffness is a particular issue for arthritis patients, anything that can help them safely maintain and even increase their flexibility, like playing pickleball, is crucial.