Wrist pain relief for athletes

Restore grip strength, control & confidence for racket sports, training & daily life.

  • Pain during gripping, lifting, or pressing

  • Pain with racket swings, impact, or quick flick motions

  • Stiffness, especially in the morning or after activity

  • Clicking, catching, or a feeling of instability

  • Swelling or tenderness around the wrist

  • Numbness or tingling into the hand or fingers

  • Weak grip strength or fatigue that comes on quickly

  • Wrist sprains and ligament irritation

  • Tendinopathy from overuse or repetitive swing patterns

  • TFCC irritation, often felt on the pinky side of the wrist

  • Carpal tunnel type symptoms and nerve irritation

  • Post-fracture stiffness and rehab progression

  • Hand and forearm overload tied to grip and technique

  • Often triggered by: Badminton, pickleball and tennis, climbing and bouldering, CrossFit and weightlifting, BJJ and grappling, and repetitive desk or tool use.

  • Pain lasts longer than 7–10 days

  • Symptoms keep returning with play or training

  • You have clicking, catching, or a sense of instability

  • Grip strength is noticeably weaker on one side

  • Numbness or tingling appears in the hand or fingers

  • Swelling does not settle, or pain is sharp with loading

  • You are avoiding lifts, swings, or daily tasks because of it

Wrist Pain for Racket Sports

Your wrist absorbs load, controls grip, and stabilizes every push, pull, and racket swing, so when pain or stiffness shows up it can limit training and performance fast. Badminton in particular demands quick changes of direction, rapid wrist acceleration, and repeated impact, which can expose mobility restrictions or irritated tendons.
We treat wrist and hand issues with a precise assessment, hands-on care, and progressive strengthening to restore pain-free motion and rebuild capacity. Whether you are dealing with a sprain, tendinopathy, nerve irritation, TFCC symptoms, or post-injury stiffness, the goal is simple: return to play with a wrist you can trust.

Your FREE First Visit

60min

Your first step is a low-pressure visit to understand your body mechanics, what will resolve it, and explain our approach.

  • Quick intake: what’s hurting, what triggers it, training goals
  • Movement: mobility, strength, control, and sport-specific patterns
  • Clear plan: observations, why it’s happening, best path forward

What You’ll Receive

  • A clear clinical direction and root-cause hypothesis
  • Recommended next steps, including a plan and projected timeline
  • Practical guidance on what to do, and what to avoid, in training right now

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What They’re Saying About Us

5.0
Stephanie C.
3 months ago
Dr. Alex Mak developed an excellent program to improve my mobility and stay on track to improved health. After starting a work from home job, I lost sight of maintaining a balanced lifestyle. I pushed myself too hard after living a sedentary lifestyle. What was meant to be a short walk resulted in an injury that resulted in months worth of hip pain. Dr. Mak’s experience in athletics was a game changer to helping me get back on track. Growing up as an athlete and swimming division 1, my instinct is to push myself hard to get back into shape. Dr. Mak helped me realize the importance of measured goals to achieve better outcomes. Knowing my history as a swimmer, he pointed out ways in which my body developed that I should keep an eye out for when lifting weights, running and more. He developed a recovery and strength training plan that considered my work travel schedule and preferred methods of exercise. Dr. Mak has a keen eye for identifying small details that can make a big difference in achieving recovery. I would recommend his services to anyone seeking support after an injury.
Alexander H.
4 months ago
If you want the best Physical Therapy come to Olympus. Movements that actually work.
Mordox S.
5 months ago
As a former competitive swimmer during highschool. I had a chance to work with Dr. Alex Mak and he helped a lot. My flexibility was very bad and that hindered my swimming. Alex was able to give me routine that helped my flexibility ultimately helping my swimming. Pretty much he knows his stuff and I highly recommend.
Nelson P.
6 months ago
Don’t think of this as a typical review written for business—think it as a genuine testimony! As a self-proclaimed athlete with a background in soccer and track (though you DONT have to be an athlete), this experience was truly a self investment in body mobility, agility, performance, endurance, strength, and—most importantly—optimal function. And if you think you’re already fine in these areas, you probably aren’t if you’re reading this. Dr. Alex Mak will quickly humble you and help you realize that many of our injuries stem from imbalances, mechanics, and not functioning optimally. As I mentioned, this is a true investment in yourself. You have to put in the work to see results—my pain didn’t disappear instantly or overnight. Through a constant desire to grow, feel better (with little to no pain), and consistent training both in and out of the his gym and office real progress happens. Dr. Alex Mak is young, easygoing, polite, and extremely professional and informative, which makes the entire process more comfortable which felt amazing! You never feel alone during the rehabilitation journey. Having someone on your side who truly understands what you’re feeling—at your worst pain and at every stage of recovery—is incredibly reassuring. He explains what you should be feeling throughout recovery, so you know you’re not only healing but progressing. I stubbornly learned that pain doesn’t go away overnight—it’s a process. The body works as one complete unit, and everything must be kept in check and aligned. After completing my sessions, I can confidently say I came out pain-free, stronger, and far more knowledgeable—allowing me to live a more optimal life. If you’re experiencing pain, don’t hesitate to work with Dr. Alex Mak. He genuinely helps you understand your body, your injuries, and how to overcome them!
Nelson P.
6 months ago
Don't think of this as a typical review written for business--think it as genuine testimony! As a self-proclaimed athlete with a background in soccer and...
Polina D.
6 months ago
Dr. Mak is truly exceptional. His expertise goes far beyond simply addressing pain—he takes the time to deeply understand the unique challenges of each patient. In my case, he carefully assessed the long‑term impact of my back injury and multiple surgeries, dedicating quality time to listen, evaluate, and design a treatment plan tailored specifically to my needs. What impressed me most was his holistic approach: he didn’t just focus on temporary relief, but created a structured program of strengthening exercises and supportive routines to help rebuild my stability and resilience. Through his guidance, I not only regained physical strength but also developed the confidence to continue working out independently, something I never thought possible given my history of trauma. Beyond his professional skill, Dr. Mak brings an approachable, down‑to‑earth energy that makes every session feel encouraging and motivating. He’s knowledgeable, compassionate, and genuinely invested in his patients’ progress. Simply put, he’s not only knows his craft inside and out—he’s also a genuine person to be around.
Fernando B.
7 months ago
After my medical doctor referred me to Physical Therapy, I thought my back pain and sciatica pains would eventually heal. After months, I finally “came to gribs” about my situation. My pain was becoming disabling and I needed help. I started searching my area,and what I wanted from physical therapy. Strength and mobility needed to be important to my therapy. My pain needed to be gone or at less become more manageable from therapy. After finding a few practices I started looking through their respective social media accounts. I found and followed Dr.Alexmax on instagram. I found the account informative and helpful. To my surprise, a Direct message from the account was sent to me and they invited me to have a consultation. Long story short, I signed up and after a few sessions I started feeling real relief from sciatica pains. I’m about to have my 15th session and I can confidently state I’ve been giving a foundation to continue a more hopeful and healthy life with less pain and more energy. Highly recommend this practice with anyone who need help with physical therapy
Jeffrey L.
8 months ago
I have gone to countless chiropractors and physical therapists searching for answers to the issues within my body. But no one has given me a deeper and in-depth understanding like Dr. Mak. When I first started seeing Dr. Mak back in July, I did not know what to expect and if he had the answers I was looking for. The first few weeks were investigative and it definitely took some time to figure out the roots of my problems. However, just three months later and I don't recognize the person I've become, most of all the lingerering issues I had been experienced at the start of my journey have seemingly subsided and I feel like a brand new person! Dr. Mak is very knowledgeable helping me not only understand the issues I was facing but also the areas I need to improve to better my condition. I admit I was skeptical in the beginning due the great deal of commitment it would require to get better, but now that I'm at the end I can happily say I have no regrets and would highly recommend Dr. Mak to anyone who is serious about not only feeling better but anyone who wants to function properly into their later years. There's so much I thought I knew that Dr. Mak helped to clarify and I've definitely gained a great deal of knowledge from my time spent with Dr. Mak. I hope him the best as he builds his practice and encourage anyone who wants to grow and learn to reach out to Dr. Mak. He likely has all the answers to your issues and if he doesn't he will figure it out if you give him the time!
chris S.
8 months ago
I’ve been dealing with back pain, tight hips, sciatica pain, and right foot mobility for a couple years. Finding Dr. Alex, I set up the initial consultation meeting to address my issues. In this meeting Dr. Alex Mak answered all my questions, provided solutions, and expressed his knowledge on the different areas of my pain. He explained with an honest tone, that identifying the root cause of my pain, and building a personalized treatment plan can help me achieve my goal, of finding relief and mobility. I moved forward with his program that was designed directly for me. Having the ability to talk to Dr. Alex for the full session, allowed him to study my progress and adapt the program to the speed of my progression. I believe this is what separates Dr. Alex Mak from other PT. His ability to motivate, inform, study, adapt, and treat the client is top class. He is distinguished in that he listens, explains, cares, and organizes proper exercises to achieve results in a timely manner. If you are looking for a Dr. who supports and treats, rather than giving a generic try this and that, then book the consultation with Dr. Alex Mak.
Alejandra P.
8 months ago
I had a really good experience at Olympus Sports Therapy and working with Dr. Alex Mak. He's very knowledgeable about his craft. He guides you through the exercises so that you do them safely and correctly. I referred a friend to Olympus Sports Therapy and Dr. Alex Mak with a confidence that he would be able to help them with their particular issues because I saw clear improvement in myself very quickly. I'm glad I went there.

A movement exam helps separate ligament irritation, tendon overload, and TFCC symptoms based on location, loading patterns, and stability tests.

Racket sports load the wrist with high-speed acceleration and repeated impact. If mobility or strength is limited, tendons and joint structures take more stress.

TFCC irritation is commonly felt on the pinky side of the wrist, especially with gripping, rotation, and pushing up from a chair.

Numbness or tingling can signal nerve irritation. If it is persistent, worsening, or paired with weakness, it is worth evaluating sooner.

Not always. Many athletes do well with smart modifications, reduced aggravating positions, and a plan to rebuild capacity rather than fully stopping.

It depends on severity, duration, and sport demands. Acute issues may improve in a few visits, while chronic or recurring pain often needs a longer progression.

Reduce painful loading, avoid end-range positions that spike symptoms, and focus on controlled mobility plus light strengthening until you are assessed.

Yes. Post-fracture stiffness and weakness respond well to progressive mobility, load tolerance, and grip retraining.

Dr. Alex Mak, DC, CCSP, CSCS, QME

I was the kid who was told to quit after years of sports and constant injuries, so I became the provider I never had, earning a kinesiology degree at SDSU, graduating chiropractic school summa cum laude, and doubling my clinical hours to obsessively master human movement. Olympus Sports Therapy is built on identifying the root cause, building a real progression plan, and guiding athletes from pain and setbacks back to stronger performance.

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience:

Severe or worsening pain that doesn’t improve with rest Numbness or tingling spreading down both legs Loss of strength in your leg or foot Difficulty controlling bladder or bowel function Pain following a fall, accident, or trauma