Work with a
physical therapist
so you can keep
playing pickleball,
covered by insurance

Pickleball player on the court

In-network with

MedicareBlue Shield of CaliforniaAnthem Blue CrossCignaUnitedHealthcareHumanaAetnaHSA/FSA eligible

Meet with a licensed physical therapist online. Get a personalized plan for the injuries pickleball causes — Achilles, rotator cuff, pickleball elbow, knee — with ongoing support between visits.

Sarah J., DPT
9:41
Sarah J., DPT
Today 2:15 PM

How's your back feeling this week?

Way better. The exercises are getting easy.

Awesome — let's add a progression. Updating your plan now.

Message

A better way to take care of your body

100% online

All your visits are virtual. No commute, no waiting rooms.

Covered by your insurance

We're in-network with major insurers. Most patients pay just their copay.

Appointments in days

Skip the waitlist. Book your first visit within days, not weeks.

How to get started

From signup to your first visit, HealthSpark makes it simple to start feeling better — with a physical therapist in your corner.

1
Tell us about you
9:41
1 / 3

What's bothering you?

Pick the one that fits best — your PT will dig in from there.

Lower back pain
Knee or hip
Neck or shoulder
Post-surgery recovery
Something else
Continue

Answer a few quick questions

Tell us what's going on — back, knee, post-surgery, whatever's bothering you. It only takes a couple of minutes.

2
Check your coverage
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2 / 3

Who's your insurance?

We'll verify your benefits instantly.

Medicare
Blue Shield of California
Anthem Blue Cross
UnitedHealthcare
Cigna
Check my coverage

We'll handle insurance

We're in-network with Medicare, Blue Shield, Anthem, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and more. Most patients pay just their copay.

3
Meet your PT
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Your match

Pick a time that works — your first video visit.

Sarah J., DPT
4.9·128 reviews
In-network
Lower backHipPost-op
Available this week
Tue · May 13
4:00 PM
Wed · May 14
9:30 AM
Wed · May 14
5:00 PM
Thu · May 15
10:00 AM
Book first visit

Book your first visit

Get matched with a licensed physical therapist who fits your goals. Your first video visit is usually within a few days.

4
Have your visit
9:41

Meet 1-on-1 on video

Talk through what's going on, get walked through exercises, and leave with a plan tailored to your body. Your PT sees the full picture, every visit.

How HealthSpark works

Virtual PT consultation

Comprehensive telehealth evaluation

Your first session is a thorough evaluation over video. Your PT listens to your history, watches how you move, and figures out what's actually going on — so everything that follows is built around your body, not a cookie-cutter protocol.

Get started
9:41
Sarah J., DPT
Today 2:15 PM

How's your back feeling this week?

Way better. The exercises are getting easy.

Awesome — let's add a progression. Updating your plan now.

Message

Follow-up visits

Check in with your PT weekly to track progress toward your goals, stay accountable, and adjust your plan as you improve. Between visits, message your PT with questions about your exercises or how your plan is going.

Get started
Plan updated by your PT

Your Exercise Plan

Week 4 · 3 of 5 sessions completed

Lower back strengthening routine

Short-term goals

Complete daily exercises 5 days this week

Program goals

Return to running without back pain

Personalized exercise plan

Your PT builds an exercise program tailored to you — not a generic handout. It evolves as you progress, with adjustments based on how your body responds.

Get started

Pickleball injuries we treat

“Had a great experience - quickly got connected with a physical therapist, video appointments were convenient, got on the right track with exercises to address the issue that was bothering me.”
— Jenny Z.

Physical therapy built for pickleball players

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. — and as more players take the court, more are dealing with the injuries that come with sudden lateral movement, repetitive swinging, and overhead serves. A physical therapist can build a recovery plan that gets you back on the court faster, with a strategy that respects your league schedule and your goals.

Common pickleball injuries we treat

  • Pickleball elbow — lateral and medial epicondylitis
  • Achilles tendinitis and partial tears
  • Rotator cuff strains and shoulder impingement
  • Patellar tendinitis (jumper's knee) and meniscus irritation
  • Plantar fasciitis from court time and lateral movement
  • Calf strains from sudden starts and pivots
  • Low back pain from repetitive rotation
  • Ankle sprains from lateral cuts

How PT helps pickleball players

Your first visit is an evaluation over video. Your PT asks about your play volume, your league or recreational schedule, what hurts, and what makes it worse. They'll have you move through the patterns that aggravate your symptoms, then build a plan around how you actually play.

Treatment is exercise-driven: progressive loading for tendons, strengthening for joints under stress, mobility work, and targeted return-to-play programming. You'll get clear guidance on what shots to modify, how to manage league play during rehab, and how to ramp back to full intensity safely. Between visits you can message your PT directly if something flares after a tournament or a rough doubles match.

What to expect

First visit is about 60 minutes over a secure video call. Follow-ups are 30–45 minutes. Most pickleball players notice meaningful improvement in 2–4 weeks of consistent work. Your program is built around staying on the court when you safely can — not sitting out a whole season.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I keep playing pickleball while in PT?

Often yes — most pickleball injuries don't require full rest. Your PT will tell you what to modify (volume, intensity, certain shots) and what's safe to keep doing. Total rest tends to decondition you and make the return harder than necessary.

Why does my Achilles hurt — and is it serious?

Pickleball is one of the top causes of Achilles injuries in adults because of the sudden lateral starts, stops, and pivots. Most cases are tendinopathy (overuse) and respond well to progressive loading. Sudden onset with a 'pop' or feeling like you were kicked from behind can indicate a partial or full tear — your PT can grade it during eval and flag whether imaging is needed.

Will I need surgery for a rotator cuff strain?

Most rotator cuff strains in pickleball players are partial tears or impingement, and respond well to conservative rehab — no surgery needed. Full-thickness tears, especially in older players, may warrant a surgical consult. Your PT can assess severity and let you know whether it's worth pursuing imaging or an orthopedic referral.

Is pickleball PT covered by insurance?

Yes. HealthSpark is in-network with Medicare, Anthem, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, United Healthcare, Humana, and Aetna. Most pickleball players pay just their standard copay per visit. We verify your coverage before your first appointment.

What is HealthSpark?

HealthSpark is a virtual movement practice. We combine dedicated PT care with ongoing support between visits—personalized exercise programming and secure messaging with your PT—so you can move better and stay moving. PT visits are covered by insurance.

How is this different from regular physical therapy?

Regular PT is built around 45-minute clinic visits a few times a week. HealthSpark is built around your whole recovery: you see a licensed physical therapist on video, the same one every visit, get a personalized exercise plan to follow between sessions, and can message your PT directly so you're not stuck waiting until your next appointment to ask a question. There's no commute, no waiting room, and most patients get scheduled within days instead of weeks. Visits are covered by insurance — you typically just pay your copay.

Does online physical therapy actually work?

Yes. For most common issues — back, knee, shoulder, neck, post-surgical recovery, and more — online PT can get similar results to in-person care. Your PT can watch how you move on video, give feedback, and update your plan just like they would in a clinic.

Can you help me without hands-on treatment?

Yes. Most of what drives recovery is the right exercises, done consistently, with a PT guiding and adjusting along the way — none of which requires touch. If you need hands-on care for something specific, your PT will point you in the right direction.

What are the benefits of doing PT online?

No commute, no waiting room, and flexible scheduling. You can do visits from home, you stay with the same PT, and most people pay just their normal copay through insurance.

What happens between visits?

You can message your PT with questions, updates, or anything that comes up between visits. You don’t have to wait until your next appointment.

What happens in my first visit?

Your first visit is an evaluation. Your PT will ask about your history and goals, then have you do a few simple movement tests on camera. By the end you’ll have a starting exercise plan and a clearer picture of what’s going on.

What can you help with?

Back pain, neck pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, post-surgical recovery, sports injuries, arthritis-related pain, and more. If you’re not sure whether your situation is a fit, an initial visit is the easiest way to find out.

Is online PT right for me?

It’s a fit for most everyday aches, pains, and limitations — especially if you want flexible care that fits around your schedule. If you’re unsure, your PT can let you know after an initial visit.

When is online PT not the right fit?

If you’re in the first couple of weeks after surgery, dealing with severe or unexplained pain, or have symptoms that need imaging or in-person testing, you’re better served by in-person care first. Your PT can help make this call after your first evaluation visit.

How do I know if it’s working?

You’ll notice it in everyday life — less pain during normal activities, better sleep, getting back to things you couldn’t do. Your PT will help you track progress against the goals you set together.

Is this covered by insurance?

Yes. Your visits are covered by insurance. HealthSpark is in-network with Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, and more. We’ll verify your coverage before your first visit.

How much is my copay?

You can check your copay on your PT’s booking page. Click “Get started” — you’ll have a chance to enter your insurance information and see your specific cost before booking.

How often will I see my PT?

Most people start with weekly visits and adjust from there. Your PT will work with you to figure out the right pace.

Do I need any special equipment?

No. Just a phone, tablet, or laptop with a camera, an internet connection, and a bit of space to move.

Where does my video visit take place?

Online, on the HealthSpark portal. You’ll sign up for an account and join your visit directly through our web application.

Is my information private and secure?

Yes. HealthSpark is HIPAA-compliant. Your video visits and messages are encrypted, and your records are kept confidential.

How do I get started?

Click "Get started" to create your profile and share your insurance details. We’ll verify your coverage and match you with a licensed PT. Your first visit is usually within a few days.

Ready to start feeling better?

We verify your insurance, match you with a licensed PT, and get your first visit on the calendar — usually within a few days.

Get started

Still have questions?

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