Oh My Aching Pickleball Muscles! By Dr. PickleDink™

New Research Reveals 2 Simple Ways to Recover Faster!

We’ve all been there… the aching soreness, the stiff legs, the can’t-walk-down-the-stairs feeling after an intense day on the pickleball courts. That, my friends, is called Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) — and it loves to sneak in a few hours after your pickleball battles.But here’s the good news: new research just dropped with two simple, effective tools you can use to bounce back faster and stay in the game.

The Study: What It Found

A high-quality 2025 research study showed that Photobiomodulation (Low-Level Laser Therapy) and Sauna Use are both highly effective at reducing muscle soreness, stiffness, and pain — especially in the crucial first 48 hours after intense activity.If you’re playing pickleball, your muscles go through high-intensity eccentric contractions — basically, all those sudden stops, direction changes, and fast-paced movements that make the game so fun… and sometimes leave you walking funny the next day.

What You Can Do Right Now:

1. Get in the Sauna

Sauna use is one of the most practical (and affordable) recovery tools available. Many gyms, health clubs, or wellness centers have them — and if you own one at home, even better.Regular sauna use not only helps reduce soreness but also offers a long list of other proven health benefits. If you’re serious about your longevity on the court, this is a smart recovery tool to prioritize.

2. Explore Photobiomodulation (Low-Level Laser Therapy)

This therapy is gaining popularity for muscle recovery and pain relief. While not as accessible as a sauna, many physical therapy clinics, wellness centers, and even home devices now offer this option. It uses specific light wavelengths to stimulate tissue repair and reduce inflammation.

Final Tip: Prioritize Your Recovery

If you want to play your best — and play for years to come — you need to put just as much effort into your recovery as you do your training and practice. That’s how you stay strong, pain-free, and ready for more pickleball fun.Stay smart. Stay strong. Play forever.

Reference:

Chen J, Hu Q, Hu J, Liu S, Yin L. Differences in the Effectiveness of Different Physical Therapy Modalities in the Treatment of Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis. J Pain Res. 2025 Jun 15;18:2993-3008. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S519242. PMID: 40538474; PMCID: PMC12178262.