The game is growing, and chiropractors are leading the way


At the professional level, pickleball rallies are long, reaction times are razor-thin, and biomechanics must be precise. Players bend, lunge, and hold extreme postures at the kitchen line (the non-volley zone near the net), often without predictable movement patterns. “If you blink, you’ve missed it,” Newman says. “The speed is incredible. Having someone in your corner who knows your body makes a huge difference for both preparation and recovery.” For Kyle McKenzie, head coach of Brooklyn Pickleball, chiropractic


and we connect patients with the right people when needed. It goes beyond adjustments. It’s about outcomes, and that includes creating community.” That mindset made him a natural fit for pickleball, a sport that is fast, unpredictable, and deceptively demanding on the body. After 13 knee operations and a replacement in 2021, Dr. Trinkoff found pickleball himself, initially as a way to stay active without the pounding of tennis. He quickly became competitive, winning state and senior Olympic titles and immersing himself in the pickleball community. Through that community, Dr. Trinkoff met


Brooklyn Pickleball Chief Operating Officer Adam Behnke. What started as a casual meeting quickly became something deeper. “It was an immediate match,” says Behnke. “We want to be the Yankees of pickleball. That means having the best people, and people we trust completely. That meant bringing in Paul.” Behnke has watched the sport


professionalize in real time. Early on, many players came straight “off the couch.” Today, prevention, recovery, and day-to-day readiness are essential for team success and for the league’s future. “Keeping our stars healthy is critical,” Behnke


says. “It’s critical for our team, and for the growth of the sport. Paul keeps our players on the court. If not for him, we wouldn’t have made the playoffs last year. I’m constantly amazed by what he does.”


care has become integral to coaching strategy. He works closely with Dr. Trinkoff to analyze mechanics, posture, and movement efficiency, factors that often decide matches at the highest level. “Pickleball is new, and team-based leagues are new,” McKenzie says. “Having a medical professional who understands biomechanics and can streamline recovery is huge. Time is everything for a pro athlete.” What sets Dr. Trinkoff apart, according to Brooklyn’s leadership, is


not just the hands-on care but also his emphasis on communication and continuity. “Paul knows the players as people first, then patients,” McKenzie says. “He’s one of our team’s biggest cheerleaders. That matters for culture, confidence, and performance.” Dr. Trinkoff sees that relational strength as one of the profession’s


greatest assets. Chiropractors see patients repeatedly, explain complex issues in plain language, and build trust over time — skills that translate seamlessly into team environments. “What chiropractor hasn’t dreamed of being the doc for a pro


team?” Dr. Trinkoff laughs. “Because of how fast this sport is growing, there’s now a real chance for local chiropractors to get involved. I’ve never been more excited about my career and what I can do for my patients.” Pickleball’s accessibility — played by ages six to 96 — mirrors


chiropractic’s broad reach. Both are community-driven, social, and rooted in movement and wellness. “I’m proud to be an ambassador of the sport and an ambassador for chiropractic,” Dr. Trinkoff says. “I love getting to introduce people to what we can do.” As a Palmer graduate, Dr. Trinkoff credits his education with giving him the versatility to adapt to patients, not the other way around. His career is a case study in how chiropractic training can open doors far beyond traditional clinical settings. “Working with elite athletes reinforces the same principles I use


every day,” he says. “I help people function at their best level possible, whether they’re world-ranked players or weekend warriors.” For Palmer students and alumni, Dr. Trinkoff’s story underscores a broader message: emerging sports like pickleball are creating new pathways for chiropractors as health care leaders, collaborators, and innovators. And, as always, Palmer is leading the way.


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