“Just one more set and then we’ll call it a night.”
If you play padel in Dubai, you have probably said this more than once. The evenings are finally cooler, the courts are full again, and many of us are booking matches three or four times a week. As a result, your body often starts to feel the pain long before the racket goes back in the bag.
Where Padel Affects the Most
Padel has taken over the city, and the numbers show it. Dubai has over 200+ individual padel courts. The sport is easy to pick up, social, and fun from the very first rally.
Padel may look gentle from the outside, but it asks a lot from a few key areas of the body. A recent review of padel injuries found the elbow was the area most often affected, followed by the knee, shoulder and lower back, and that most problems involved tendons and muscles.
The elbow and forearm take the strain of every volley, bandeja and smash, which is why so many players know the feeling of padel elbow. The shoulder works hard overhead, especially when you are chasing lobs off the back glass. The lower back carries all the twisting, turning and bending low for balls near the wall.
Meanwhile, the knees, calves and feet absorb every sprint, lunge and sudden stop. When these muscles stay tight week after week, your game can start to feel heavier, and small aches can become the reason you sit out a match.
Simple Habits That Keep You on Court
The good news is that a few easy habits can go a long way in helping your recovery after the sport.
- Warm up for ten minutes before you play with light jogging, arm circles and gentle lunges.
- After every match, take a few minutes to stretch your forearms, hips and calves.
- Drink plenty of water, especially during humid evening games. Most importantly, give your body time to recover between sessions, because rest is when your muscles repair.
- This is also where regular massages help. While it won’t turn you into a professional overnight, research shows massage can bring small but real improvements in flexibility and muscle soreness. In other words, it can help you feel looser, move better and get back on court sooner.
The Fix: Deep Tissue Massage
If your forearm feels tight, your shoulder aches after overhead shots, or your lower back is stiff the morning after a match, Deep Tissue Massage is a great place to start. During the massage, our therapist uses slow, firm pressure to work into the deeper layers of muscle, paying close attention to the areas padel loads the most. At this point, you might feel some tension in the tightest spots, and our therapist will adjust the pressure to suit you. At the end of the massage, many players tell us their arm and back feel lighter and their range of movement feels easier.
The Fix: Thai Massage
If you feel stiff rather than sore, Thai Massage can be the better choice. This treatment takes place on a comfortable mat while you stay fully clothed. Our therapist gently guides your body through a series of assisted stretches, using palms, thumbs and gentle pressure along the way. During the session, extra attention goes to the hips, hamstrings and calves, which take a beating from all the lunging and quick changes of direction. As a result, you can walk away feeling more open, more flexible and ready to move freely again.
Which One Is Right for You?
A simple way to decide is this: choose Deep Tissue Massage when your muscles ache, and choose Thai Massage when your body feels stiff. Many of our regular customers alternate between the two throughout the season.
At Cool Aroma Gentlemen’s Spa, we have been looking after the men of Dubai for more than a decade. Our experienced therapists understand how sport affects the body, and they know the right technique for every ache. So whether you play once a week or every evening, let us help you stay loose, stay strong and stay on court longer.
Book your massage session today at Cool Aroma Gentlemen’s Spa.
Oud Metha, Dubai: Open from 10:00 am to 12:00 AM (midnight)
Call to book: 04 3709706
Make an appointment at our branch at Oud Metha, Dubai.
Oud Metha, Dubai: Open from 10:00 am to 12:00AM Midnight
Call to book: 04 3709706
