Padel should give you energy, not another recurring injury.
Physiotherapy for Padel Injuries Amsterdam
Padel asks for short sprints, sudden stops, rotation, overhead strokes and repeated explosive actions. Physiotherapy for padel injuries in Amsterdam helps you understand which part of that load your body is not handling yet, then builds you safely back to the court.
★★★★★ 47 reviews · No referral needed · often covered by insurance
Who is this for?
You enjoy padel, but your elbow, shoulder, knee, ankle, calf or Achilles tendon keeps interrupting your game. Maybe the pain appeared gradually after playing more often, or you felt something during a sudden turn, landing or reach. Rest helped for a few days, but the complaint returned as soon as you played a full match again.
This page is for you if you want more than temporary relief. You want to return to the court with confidence, understand how your playing load affects your body and build the capacity for the movements padel actually demands.
You probably recognise this
What you notice
- Elbow pain during gripping, volleys, backhands or lifting your racket bag.
- Shoulder pain during smashes, serves or other overhead strokes.
- Knee, ankle, calf or Achilles pain after quick starts, stops, turns or landings.
- A complaint that settles when you stop playing but returns when you immediately resume full matches.
A padel injury is not one single diagnosis. Research commonly describes a mix of overuse complaints in the elbow and shoulder, alongside acute or gradual problems in the lower limbs. The right treatment depends on your symptoms, playing load and physical capacity.
How padel injuries develop
Padel combines repeated racket strokes with explosive lower-body actions. You accelerate sideways, brake, rotate, reach overhead and repeat those actions throughout a match. Your elbow and shoulder absorb repeated strokes, while your knee, ankle, calf and Achilles tendon handle acceleration, deceleration and landing.
The problem is often an accumulation rather than one bad movement: more matches, longer sessions, a change in technique or equipment, insufficient recovery or a previous injury that lowered your capacity. A sudden increase in playing volume can push the demand beyond what your body is ready to tolerate.
Why the complaint keeps coming back
The common trap is to stop playing until the pain settles and then return straight to a full match. That can quiet the symptoms, but it does not rebuild the capacity of your elbow, shoulder, knee or ankle for the demands of padel.
Treating only the painful spot is rarely enough either. If you do not assess how you brake, rotate, land and strike, and then train those demands progressively, the complaint often returns when match intensity rises again.
How we treat this at BeyondPhysio
We understand how frustrating it is when a sport that gives you energy becomes the reason you have to cancel plans. At BeyondPhysio we combine movement analysis with active rehabilitation, so your return is based on capacity and control, not only on how many days you have rested.
Padel injuries sit within our sports injuries programme, where treatment and strength building are connected under one roof.
Assess your complaint and playing load.
We examine the painful region, your movement chain, strength and control. We also map your match volume, technique, equipment and the moments when symptoms appear.
Build your personal recovery plan.
You receive clear advice about what to adjust temporarily and targeted exercises for the elbow, shoulder, trunk, hip, knee, ankle, calf or Achilles tendon.
Progress back to the court.
We gradually rebuild strength, endurance, braking, turning, landing and overhead strokes. You return to padel because your body can handle the relevant load, not simply because a number of weeks has passed.
What you can do yourself
Temporarily reduce the part of padel that clearly provokes symptoms. This may mean shorter sessions, fewer matches in a row, fewer smashes or an extra recovery day. Complete rest is often unnecessary, but do not keep playing through pain that clearly increases during or after the session. Keep moving within your capacity and build gradually.
A dynamic warm-up, suitable shoes and attention to technique can help your preparation. Seek medical assessment after a clear snap, significant swelling, inability to walk or bear weight, sudden major loss of strength or a suspected fracture. Eye pain, blurred or double vision and flashes after a ball or racket impact need prompt medical attention.
What you get back
You can return to the padel court without constantly second-guessing your body. Your shoulder, elbow, knee, ankle, calf and Achilles tendon can handle the repeated explosive actions, and you know how to increase playing load before a complaint takes over again.
What waiting costs you
If you keep alternating between resting until the pain disappears and playing full matches immediately, your capacity stays behind the demands of padel. The complaint may appear earlier each time and gradually reduce your enjoyment, fitness and confidence. A structured build-up takes time, but much less time than repeatedly starting over after another setback.
Frequently asked questions
When should I see a physiotherapist for a padel injury?
If a padel injury lasts longer than expected, keeps returning, limits work, sleep, sport or daily movement, an assessment is sensible. We check whether physiotherapy is the right care and refer you when medical evaluation is needed.
Do I need a referral?
No. Physiotherapy in the Netherlands is directly accessible. You can book an assessment without seeing your GP first.
How many sessions will I need?
That depends on your complaint, history and goals. After the assessment you receive a clear recovery plan with a realistic timeline.
Do you treat English-speaking clients?
Yes. Our physiotherapists speak English and regularly treat internationals and expats in Amsterdam West.
Which injuries are common in padel?
Elbow and shoulder overuse complaints are frequently reported, alongside knee, ankle, calf and Achilles tendon problems. The exact pattern varies between studies and players. Acute ankle or muscle injuries can also occur after an unexpected landing, turn or sudden stop.
Can I keep playing padel with an injury?
Often you can stay active, but the provoking load usually needs temporary adjustment. Shorter sessions, fewer matches, fewer overhead strokes or more recovery can help. If pain clearly increases during or after playing, reduce the load further and have the complaint assessed.
How do I prevent padel injuries?
Build playing duration and intensity gradually, plan recovery between demanding sessions and use a dynamic warm-up. Also train strength and control in your forearm, shoulder, trunk, hips, knees, ankles and calves. Previous injuries need extra attention before you return to full match play.
When should I see a doctor for a padel injury?
Seek same-day assessment after a clear snap, possible fracture, major swelling, visible deformity, sudden severe loss of strength or inability to bear weight. Eye pain, blurred or double vision and flashes after a ball or racket impact also need prompt medical attention.
Book your assessment
For many clients, physiotherapy is covered through supplementary Dutch health insurance. No referral is needed. You work in 45-60 minute one-to-one sessions with one consistent therapist, in private treatment rooms with rehabilitation and strength building inside BeyondFit Amsterdam. Excellent rating: 47 reviews.
Ready to return to the padel court with confidence? Book your assessment and find which link in your movement chain needs strengthening.