Padel Physio in Liverpool
Padel has exploded across Liverpool. So have padel injuries. Tennis elbow, shoulder pain, calf strains, wrist trouble. If the sport you started last year is now causing pain, we'll find out why, fix the cause, and get you back on court without it coming back.
Padel players we treat.
Padel looks gentle. It isn't. The combination of repeated overhead shots, sudden direction changes, and a gripping action your hand isn't used to creates a perfect storm for injuries, especially if you've come to padel from a non-racquet sport, or jumped in playing four times a week from a standing start.
- New padel players who picked it up in the last year and are already nursing an elbow, shoulder, or back
- Crossover players from tennis or squash finding old injuries flare up with the new movement patterns
- Competitive padel players training and playing multiple times a week with chronic niggles
- Returners after a layoff getting injuries the moment they ramp volume back up
- Players in their 40s and 50s who didn't expect this much wear and tear
Most common padel injuries we treat.
If you've started playing padel recently and something hurts, there's a high chance it's one of these:
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
Easily the most common padel injury we see. The repeated gripping action, the backhand technique, and often a racquet that's too heavy or has the wrong grip size. Pain on the outside of the elbow, worse after playing or the next morning.
Shoulder pain
Rotator cuff strains and impingement from repeated overhead shots, especially the smash and bandeja. Often worse after a long match or several sessions in close succession.
Calf strains
The padel court demands sudden acceleration and direction change. Calf strains, especially in players over 40, are common. Often felt as a sharp pull mid-rally.
Lower back pain
The rotational forces involved in padel shots, combined with reaching shots and quick direction changes, make lower back pain a frequent complaint. Often a sign of weak rotational strength.
Wrist pain
From the combined impact and gripping demands. Often dismissed as "just from playing too much", but usually a fixable mechanical issue if caught early.
Ankle sprains
Quick lateral movements on a court that isn't grass or clay create real risk for ankle injuries. We see plenty of acute sprains, and we see even more chronic instability from sprains that weren't rehabbed properly.
How we treat padel injuries.
The injury is rarely the whole story. Padel injuries are usually a mix of three things: how you move, how often you play, and your equipment. We assess all three.
Assess the movement
We look at how you grip, how you swing, how you change direction, and where the pain actually originates, which is often nowhere near where you feel it.
Treat & modify
Hands-on treatment for the painful tissues, plus targeted strengthening, mobility work, and conversation about your racquet, grip size, and playing volume.
Return to court
Most padel players can keep playing in a modified way during treatment. We'll give you a plan to ramp back to full intensity without triggering the same issue again.
Shockwave therapy for tennis elbow.
Tennis elbow is the single most common padel injury, and one of the most treatable with shockwave therapy. If you've had tennis elbow that's lingered for more than 6-8 weeks despite rest and modifying your play, shockwave often makes a meaningful difference in 3-6 sessions.
It works by stimulating blood flow and collagen repair in the tendon, kickstarting the healing process in tissue that's got stuck in a chronic inflammation cycle. We use it as part of a fuller treatment plan, not as a standalone fix.
Why FM Physio for padel players in Liverpool.
Padel-specific physio matters because the sport's movement pattern is unique. Treating padel injuries the way you'd treat tennis injuries (or worse, general gym injuries) misses the mark.
- Specialist in active people. We treat sport injuries every day, not occasionally between back pain referrals.
- Shockwave therapy in-clinic for stubborn tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, and other tendinopathies.
- Baltic Triangle location. Central Liverpool, accessible from all the city's major padel venues.
- 45-minute initial assessments. Enough time to actually understand what's happening and explain it properly.
- Same-day appointments often available. Important if you've got a tournament or match coming up.
- No GP referral, no waiting list. Book direct.
Padel injury FAQs.
I just started padel and now my elbow hurts. Should I stop playing?
You don't necessarily have to stop, but you do need to address it now rather than later. Tennis elbow caught early is usually a 4-6 week problem. Tennis elbow ignored for three months becomes a 6-month-plus problem.
In most cases we'll keep you playing in a reduced way (fewer sessions per week, no heavy gripping, sometimes a temporary brace) while we treat the underlying tendinopathy.
How long does padel-related tennis elbow take to recover from?
It depends on how long you've had it and how you've been managing it. Acute tennis elbow (within 6 weeks of onset) typically resolves within 4-8 weeks of focused treatment. Chronic tennis elbow (3+ months) usually takes 8-16 weeks and often benefits from shockwave therapy alongside loading exercises.
The single biggest predictor is how soon you start proper treatment versus continuing to play through it.
Does my racquet matter? Could equipment be causing my injury?
Equipment is almost always part of the picture for padel-related elbow and shoulder pain. A racquet that's too heavy, has too small a grip, or has the wrong balance for your style of play increases the load on your arm with every shot.
We'll talk through your equipment as part of the assessment. We don't sell racquets, but we'll give you honest guidance on what to look for if a change might help.
Will I always have to wear an elbow brace to play?
No. Braces can be useful in the short term to reduce strain while tissue heals, but they're not a long-term solution. If you've been wearing a brace for months and still have pain, the underlying problem hasn't been addressed. The goal of treatment is to get you playing without one.
Can I prevent padel injuries before they happen?
Yes, significantly. The biggest preventable factors are: doing too much too soon (rapidly increasing play volume), inadequate warm-ups, equipment mismatch, and missing rotational/forearm strength work in your training.
If you're new to padel and serious about playing long-term, a one-off prehab session to identify your weak points and build a simple maintenance routine is one of the best investments you can make.
How much does an initial assessment cost?
£75 for a 45-minute initial assessment. This includes a full assessment, hands-on treatment, and a clear plan you can take away. We accept Simplyhealth and Medicash cash plans. You pay upfront and claim back through your provider.
How quickly can I be seen?
Same-day or next-day appointments are usually available. If you've tweaked something in a match or you've got an upcoming tournament, ring us on 0151 601 1481 and we'll find a slot.
Related conditions.
Padel injuries often overlap with other areas. If you're not sure which page fits your situation best:
Back on the court.
Don't let a niggle turn into a season-long problem. Most padel injuries are quickest and easiest to fix in the first few weeks.
