Do I need a referral for physical therapy at BYLT?

It is always encouraged that your doctor sends a referral. If you have Medicare, a referral is always required. Most commercial insurances do not require a referral in WA state. Call us at 509-540-3286 and we can confirm for your specific insurance.

What insurances does BYLT Physical Therapy accept?

BYLT Physical Therapy accepts Regence, Premera, Medicare and Medicare Supplements, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Lifewise of WA, Cigna, TriCare, MODA, Kaiser PPO Plan, Providence Health Plan, First Choice Health, Aetna, and Worker's Comp / L&I. Self-pay rates and packages are also available.

How do I make an appointment at BYLT Physical Therapy?

You can call or text BYLT Physical Therapy at 509-540-3286, or book online directly at byltpt.clientsecure.me. We are open Monday through Friday, 7am to 6pm.

Why should I choose BYLT Physical Therapy over other clinics?

At BYLT, every session is 1-on-1 with a licensed physical therapist for a full 60 minutes. We focus 100% of our time on what will directly help you — we do not watch you do exercises you could do at home by yourself. Our PTs are also all certified in dry needling and specialize in sports rehabilitation and post-surgical recovery.

What does BYLT Physical Therapy specialize in?

BYLT Physical Therapy specializes in sports physical therapy, ACL rehabilitation, all orthopedic injuries including neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, and knee pain, post-surgical rehab, dry needling, vestibular issues and vertigo, and any condition related to movement, pain, or performance. All of our PTs are certified in dry needling.

Does BYLT Physical Therapy offer dry needling?

Yes. BYLT Physical Therapy offers dry needling as part of treatment. Every physical therapist on our team holds a post-graduate dry needling certification. Dry needling targets muscle trigger points to release tension, reduce pain, and restore normal movement — it is a clinical technique distinct from acupuncture.

What are BYLT Physical Therapy's hours?

BYLT Physical Therapy is open Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 6:00pm. We are located at 1220 W Poplar St Suite A, Walla Walla, WA 99362.

Does BYLT Physical Therapy treat post-surgical patients?

Yes. Post-surgical rehabilitation is one of BYLT's core specialties. Tyler Smith, PT, DPT, OCS has over 10 years of experience guiding patients through recovery following knee, hip, shoulder, and spine surgeries. We take patients from initial recovery all the way through return to full activity and performance.

The 5 Most Common Pickleball Injuries (and How to Avoid Them)

Sports & Performance

Oct 19

Written By BYLT Physical Therapy .

Pickleball is easy to learn, social and addictive, which is why the courts around Walla Walla and College Place are full. That ease is also the catch: people go from the couch to three games a day without building the body for it.

Injuries have climbed along with participation. In a national study of emergency department visits, about 87% of pickleball injury visits involved players over 50, and fractures were the most common diagnosis (University of Arkansas). Most pickleball injuries never reach the ER, though. They show up in clinics like ours as a sore elbow, a tight calf or a shoulder that won't settle down.

Here are the five we see most, and what helps.

1. Pickleball elbow

This is lateral elbow tendinopathy, better known as tennis elbow. It's pain on the outside of the elbow that shows up with backhands, gripping a paddle, or picking up a coffee mug.

Why it happens: repeated gripping and wrist extension overload the tendons that attach at the elbow, especially with a tight grip, a heavy paddle or a sudden jump in playing time.

What helps: loosen your grip between shots, check that your grip size fits your hand, and build forearm strength with slow wrist extension exercises. Bracing can calm symptoms short term, but strengthening the tendon is what fixes it.

2. Calf strains

Often called "pickleball calf." It feels like getting hit in the back of the leg, usually during a quick push-off or lunge.

Why it happens: fast starts and stops load the calf hard, and calf strength drops with age if we don't train it.

What helps: warm up before the first game and build calf strength with heel raises. Aim for 3 sets of 15 single-leg heel raises per side as a long-term goal.

3. Achilles tendon pain and tears

Achilles tendinopathy is stiffness and pain at the back of the heel, worst first thing in the morning or at the start of play. A full Achilles rupture feels like a kick or a pop in the back of the heel, followed by trouble pushing off.

Why it happens: the same quick, explosive movements that strain the calf, often on top of a tendon that's been grumbling for weeks.

What helps: don't play through Achilles pain that's getting worse. Tendons respond well to gradual, heavy, slow strengthening, and early treatment keeps a minor problem from becoming a major one. If you suspect a rupture, get seen the same day. We also handle rehab after Achilles repair.

4. Shoulder pain

Pain on the outside or front of the shoulder with overheads, serves or reaching, often linked to the rotator cuff.

Why it happens: repeated overhead shots on a rotator cuff and upper back that aren't strong or mobile enough for the volume.

What helps: rotator cuff and upper back strengthening, and backing off overheads while it calms down. More on causes and rehab in our shoulder pain page.

5. Falls, wrist fractures and ankle sprains

The most serious pickleball injuries usually come from falling, and the classic setup is backpedaling for a lob. Players reach back with a hand to catch themselves, which can break a wrist, or land wrong and roll an ankle.

What helps: don't backpedal. Turn your hips and shuffle or crossover-step back instead, and let the lob go if you can't get there safely. Balance training and leg strength reduce fall risk at any age.

A 5-minute warm-up before you play

2 minutes of brisk walking or easy side shuffles around the court
10 bodyweight squats and 10 walking lunges
10 heel raises and 10 ankle circles each direction
10 arm circles each direction and 10 slow practice swings forehand and backhand
A few minutes of easy dinking before you play points

Strength work that keeps you on the court

Twice a week for about 15 minutes covers most of it:

Heel raises: 3 sets of 12 to 15, progressing to single-leg
Split squats: 3 sets of 8 per leg
Side-lying or banded shoulder external rotation: 3 sets of 12
Wrist extension with a light dumbbell, lowering slowly: 3 sets of 15
Single-leg balance: 3 holds of 30 seconds per leg

Wear court shoes with lateral support rather than running shoes, which are built for straight-ahead motion and make it easier to roll an ankle.

When to get it checked

Pain that's lasted more than two weeks or is getting worse
Pain that changes how you play or move
Swelling, a pop, or trouble bearing weight
A sore spot that comes back every time you return to play

At BYLT we treat sports injuries with hands-on care, dry needling when it helps, and a strength plan built around getting you back to the game you love. Every visit is 60 minutes, one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most common pickleball injury?

In our clinic, it's pickleball elbow, calf strains and shoulder pain. In emergency rooms, it's fractures, mostly from falls.

Should I wear a brace for pickleball elbow?

A counterforce strap can ease pain short term. Strengthening the forearm tendons is what makes it go away.

Can I keep playing with pickleball elbow?

Often yes, with less volume and a looser grip, as long as pain stays mild and settles by the next day.

What shoes should I wear for pickleball?

Court shoes with good lateral support. Running shoes aren't built for side-to-side movement.

Hurting on the court? Book an evaluation or call or text 509-540-3286.

pickleballpickleball elbowcalf strainAchillesshoulder painsports injuriesWalla Walla physical therapy

BYLT Physical Therapy .