Pickleball season is here

On Hilton Head Island, pickleball is no longer just a pastime. It is a full-blown obsession.
Courts are full. Paddles are showing up everywhere. Friendly competition turns serious somewhere around the third game. And if you have played long enough, you know — things can get surprisingly competitive for a game with a name that sounds like a sandwich.
But here is a question many players do not ask: Are your feet ready?

Pickleball looks deceptively simple, but it demands quick reactions, fast footwork, and constant balance adjustments. Short sprints. Sudden stops. Side-to-side movement. All of it depends on how well your feet communicate with your brain. When that communication changes, so does your game.

Peripheral neuropathy affects millions of Americans, especially those over 50 and those with diabetes or prediabetes — many of whom do not even realize they have early nerve changes. In fact, studies suggest a significant percentage of adults may have some degree of reduced nerve function without obvious symptoms at first.

There are two main types of nerve fibers involved.

Large fibers help with position and balance. When they weaken, you may feel less stable, especially when moving quickly or changing direction.

Small fibers carry pain and temperature signals. When affected, they often cause burning, tingling, or sharp sensations — sometimes more noticeable after activity or later in the evening.

Early signs can be subtle. A little numbness. A slight delay in reaction. That “walking on marshmallows” feeling. Some players describe it as feeling just a half-step behind — like their feet are not quite keeping up.

During everyday walking, it might go unnoticed. But step onto a pickleball court, and things change quickly. Quick lateral movements feel slightly off. Balance during a sudden stop is not as sharp. Reaction time feels just a bit delayed. Shots that used to be easy become harder to reach.

Some players say, “I must be slowing down.” Others blame their paddle. One of my patients blamed his doubles partner! But sometimes, it is not timing. It is sensation.
Your feet contain thousands of receptors that constantly send information to your brain about pressure, position, and movement. That feedback allows you to react quickly without thinking. When nerve function declines — often due to reduced circulation or metabolic stress — that signal becomes less precise. And fast-paced movement exposes it.

Pickleball is fun. It is social. It keeps people active and it’s genuinely good for you. But it can also reveal small changes in balance and coordination that might otherwise go unnoticed.

If you are experiencing numbness, tingling, burning under your feet, or that familiar “walking on marshmallows” sensation, your feet may be trying to tell you something. Changes in sensation are signals worth paying attention to.

evaluated by your doctor to determine whether anything can be done — especially before small changes begin to affect movement and balance on the court.

The goal is not just to keep the rally going. It is to move confidently, react quickly, and enjoy the game without hesitation. And that always starts from the ground up.

Dr. Kenneth Horup, DC is a Chiropractic Physician at Discover Specific Chiropractic, Certified in Neuropathy.