I'm Brett Jansen, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a pickleball enthusiast in the Fox Valley. My passion for this sport goes beyond just chasing a dense wiffle ball around a small tennis court. I believe that pickleball is already a movement that connects our community through exercise and intergenerational interaction in a way that no other sport has done before.
As a healthcare provider, my mission is to convince you of the importance of warming up. In my practice, I’ve learned that simply telling someone to do their home exercises or improve their nutrition isn't enough; they need to understand the reason behind it.
Think of your muscles as putty. To get blood flow into your muscles and prevent tearing, a good dynamic warm-up is essential. If you warm up your muscles properly, they stretch well without tearing, much like putty that has been warmed in a crockpot for five minutes. This is crucial not only for injury prevention but also for performance. You’ll move faster and more efficiently when your muscles are warm. Conversely, if you put putty in the freezer for five minutes and then try to stretch it, it’s much more likely to tear. The same goes for your muscles and ligaments.
A proper dynamic warm-up will keep you in the game longer. However, if you have any areas of concern that persist for more than a couple of days, seek a chiropractic or physical therapy evaluation immediately. We are movement specialists trained to diagnose the source of your pain and work with you to create a treatment plan that suits your needs. If you’re unsure which type of evaluation you need, call our office. Our front desk staff is skilled at connecting you with the right provider.
In the following document, I have provided examples of dynamic warm-ups for beginner, intermediate, and advanced level pickleball players. Use this resource to help establish the essential habit of warming up, keeping you on the courts longer and out of our office.
