The Best Pickleball Warm-Up | Sports Medicine Doctor Explains

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. and with more people on the courts, injuries are popping up just as fast.

On FOX 5 DC, sports medicine expert Dr. Yash Mehta shared practical ways to keep pain out of your pickleball game so you can play longer, safer, and have more fun.

In this segment, Dr. Mehta covers:
The most common pickleball injuries: low back strains/herniations, rotator cuff problems, “pickleball elbow” (tennis elbow), and Achilles ruptures.
Warm-up musts (5–10+ minutes): dynamic stretches, lateral movements, leg and arm mobility, overhead reach patterns.
Smart gear: court shoes with traction (skip slides/loafers) and ankle support if needed; hydrate before and after.
Technique & posture tips: bend with your knees to pick up low balls instead of rounding your back and cool down with gentle stretching post-match.
Big picture: treat pickleball like any sport—learn the rules, build good habits, and be mindful of your body.

💡 Learn more about staying active without pain and explore care options at VSI: https://www.VSIspine.com

About Dr. Mehta:
Dr. Yash Mehta is board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and received his medical degree at Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine. With 13 years of education, training, research, and medical experience, he completed residency at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore and an interventional spine and musculoskeletal medicine fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital, which ranks Top 5 in the nation. Dr. Mehta speaks fluent English, Gujarati, Hindi, and conversational Spanish. His expertise in holistic medicine has earned him features in Fox5 and ABC7.

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