What Are the Most Common Upper Body Badminton Injuries?

If you play badminton and have any pain in your wrists, elbows or shoulders, get in touch with our highly trained team of sport physiotherapists at E4 Physio.

Badminton is a globally enjoyed sport that offers a full-body workout and improves hand-eye coordination. However, many people mistakenly believe that badminton is a low-impact sport with little risk of injury, until they experience one themselves.

In reality, badminton is a fast-paced and physically demanding sport, involving explosive movements, rapid direction changes, and repeated overhead actions. These stresses place players at risk for a wide range of injuries. Common badminton injuries include strains, sprains, overuse injuries, and acute trauma affecting areas such as the shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, ankle, and Achilles tendon.

In this article, we’ll explore the most common upper body badminton injuries, their symptoms, treatment options, and most importantly how to prevent them.

For a diagnosis and highly effective treatment of badminton injuries, click here.

Understanding Upper Body Badminton Injuries

Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Tennis elbow is one of the most frequent upper body injuries in badminton. It occurs due to overuse of the forearm muscles, leading to tiny tears and inflammation near the lateral epicondyle — the bony outer part of the elbow.

Common symptoms of tennis elbow in badminton players include:

• Dull to sharp pain on the outer side of the elbow: Tennis elbow will typically present as a gradual onset of pain around the bony prominence on the outer elbow (the lateral epicondyle). The discomfort can range from a mild ache to a sharp stabbing pain, especially when the forearm is under strain. This pain may intensify during activity and linger afterward.

• Stiffness when straightening or extending the arm: Many players with tennis elbow experience stiffness or reduced mobility, particularly first thing in the morning or after periods of rest. Fully extending the elbow may feel restricted or uncomfortable due to inflammation in the tendons.

• Pain when lifting objects, especially when the arm is extended: Simple daily actions such as picking up a bag, lifting a kettle, or even raising a water bottle can become painful. The discomfort often worsens when lifting with the arm fully extended or with the palm facing down.

• Discomfort or weakness when gripping items tightly: Gripping a racquet, shaking hands, turning a doorknob, or holding tools can provoke pain due to strain on the extensor tendons. Over time, grip strength may decrease, leading to difficulty performing everyday tasks.

• Pain during wrist flexion or when bending the arm under load: Movements that involve bending the wrist downward (wrist flexion), particularly against resistance, can aggravate symptoms. This is common in racquet sports or gym exercises like curls and pull movements.

Common treatments of tennis elbow for badminton players include:

• Ice application to reduce inflammation: by applying ice packs to the outer elbow can help control inflammation and ease pain, especially after activity. Aim for 10-15 minutes at a time, several times a day, during flare-ups.

  
  

• Adequate rest to promote healing: Rest is essential to avoid further strain on the damaged tendons. This doesn't mean complete inactivity, but reducing repetitive movements gives the tissue a chance to repair.
  

• Sports massage therapy to relax and treat muscle strain: Deep tissue or sports massage therapy around the forearm can help release tension, improve circulation, and reduce tightness that contributes to elbow pain.

  
  

• Physiotherapy with specific arm-strengthening exercises: At E4 Physio, will design a programme of stretching and strengthening exercises to restore mobility, rebuild tendon strength, and improve endurance in the surrounding muscles.

  
  

• Elbow braces or support bands during activity: Wearing a counterforce brace or support strap can reduce the load on the tendon during daily tasks or exercise. This can prevent further irritation and help manage symptoms.

  
  

• Shockwave therapy: For persistent or chronic tennis elbow, shockwave therapy may be recommended. This non-invasive treatment uses sound waves to stimulate healing and improve blood flow to the tendon.

Shoulder Pain (Rotator Cuff Injuries & Impingement)

Badminton requires repeated overhead motion, placing significant strain on the rotator cuff, a group of muscles and tendons that stabilise the shoulder. Overuse can lead to inflammation, impingement, or even partial tears.

Common rotator cuff injuries in badminton players include:

• Pain during overhead activity or lifting: Discomfort may occur when reaching above the head or lifting objects, especially when using the affected arm.

  
  

• Discomfort at rest or during sleep: Pain can persist even when the shoulder is not active, often disturbing sleep, particularly when lying on the affected side.

  
  

• Tenderness in the shoulder or neck area: The outer shoulder or upper neck may feel sore to touch, indicating soft tissue irritation or referred pain from the rotator cuff.

  
  

• In some cases, shoulder instability: The joint may feel weak, loose, or like it could "give way" during movement, especially with certain arm positions.

Common treatments for rotator cuff injuries in badminton players include:

• Use of a shoulder brace during movement: A brace can help stabilise the shoulder joint and limit harmful motion, especially during sport or daily tasks.

  
  

• Rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory treatment: Reducing load on the shoulder, applying ice packs, and taking anti-inflammatory medication can relieve pain and swelling in the early stages.

  
  

• Physiotherapy focused on rotator cuff strength: A tailored rehab programme will typically include rotator cuff strengthening exercises to support shoulder stability and restore full function.

Wrist Pain

Wrist pain is a prevalent badminton injury. This is caused when the wrist experiences sudden forces, and a change in movement causes acute injuries. At the same time, many people also experience hairline fractures and micro-breaks in the muscles in that area.

Wrist sprains can also be caused by the wrong positioning of the hand or gripping the badminton racket wrongly. Pain often develops gradually and, over time, becomes severe.

Common wrist pain injuries in badminton players include:

• Swelling and tenderness around the wrist: The wrist may appear puffy and feel sensitive to touch, especially after activity or strain.

  
  

• Pain when moving the wrist up/down: Flexing or extending the wrist can trigger discomfort, limiting your ability to perform smooth racket movements.

  
  

• Stiffness or reduced range of motion: You may notice the wrist feels tight or “locked,” making it harder to complete overhead or flick shots.

  
  

• Pain during weight-bearing or gripping: Supporting your body weight (e.g., during push-ups) or holding a racket tightly may increase pain due to irritated tendons or joints.

Common treatments for wrist pain in badminton players include:

• Anti-inflammatory medication: Medications like ibuprofen can help reduce pain and swelling in the short term, especially after flare-ups.

  
  

• Physiotherapy focusing on wrist mobility and strength: A tailored rehab program helps restore movement, improve strength, and prevent further strain through guided exercises and manual therapy.

  
  

Common preventions for wrist pain in badminton players:

• Improve bone health with adequate calcium intake: Maintaining a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D supports bone density and joint health, reducing the risk of stress-related injuries.

  
  

• Use proper grip technique and racket tension: An incorrect grip or overly tight racket strings can overload the wrist. Ensuring optimal grip size and string tension helps minimise strain.

  
  

• Avoid repetitive drills without rest: Allowing adequate recovery between intense practice sessions helps the wrist recover and reduces the risk of overuse injuries.

  
  

• Wear wrist support or strapping during play: Using a brace or athletic tape can provide extra support and stability, particularly during high-impact games or recovery phases.

How Can Upper Body Badminton Injuries Be Treated?

Most badminton injuries, while common, in can be effectively treated with rest, physiotherapy, or shockwave therapy, followed by a careful focus on improving form to prevent re-injury. The most important thing is to get a diagnosis of any ongoing pain.

Whether you're a recreational player or a competitive athlete, our team and background in treating professional athletes means we are focused on diagnosing and treating sports-related injuries in the shortest time possible, with the best chance of long-term resilience against further injuries.

If you have any badminton-related injuries or pain, you can get in touch with one of our physiotherapists here.