Esports Physio: Can Physiotherapy Help Prevent Gaming Injuries?
18 Jul 2025
If you play games for hours on end, whether casually or competitively, chances are you’ve noticed the aches, pains or fatigue that can creep in. Esports might not seem as physically intense as traditional sport, but your body still feels the impact, especially when you’re gaming at a high level.
As both a physio and a gamer myself, I see more and more players asking: can physio help prevent esports injuries? And what happens if gaming is already causing pain?
Let’s break it down.
Author: Jonathan Maquiso, Lead Physiotherapist, Habit Health, Physio Connect
What is Esports, and why are injuries becoming more common?
Esports has exploded globally, with tournaments for games like Fortnite, StarCraft 2, League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, Valorant and Call of Duty offering prize pools in the millions.
The StarCraft 2 World Championship, for example, is a major event, particularly popular in South Korea, where esports is a significant part of the sporting landscape. Players often train for hours a day, competing in structured leagues with sponsors, coaches, and high-performance expectations.
Many professional Esports athletes start young, sometimes as early as 9 to 16 years old, building years of experience before reaching elite levels. But over time, the physical demands, especially from long hours of repetitive movement and sustained focus, can lead to injuries that affect performance and quality of life.
Preventing injury in Esports and gaming through physio
The first thing to understand is that being passionate about gaming doesn’t mean neglecting your body. If you want to game like an athlete, you need to treat your body like one.
Whether you’re a casual gamer or working towards competitive Esports, here’s how physiotherapy can help prevent injuries:
1. Building variety into your routine
If your job is sedentary and your hobby is gaming, your body lacks variety. I always recommend adding some physical activity two to three times a week to counterbalance long periods of sitting.
2. Strengthening weak areas
If you know your lower back, wrists or shoulders tend to get sore, targeted exercises can help build endurance and reduce strain.
3. Improving ergonomics
Your setup matters. Gaming chairs, keyboards, mouse design or controller choices can all make a difference. Like any trade, investing in the right tools for your body shape and needs is crucial.
4. Preparing for competitions
Ahead of tournaments, tapering your gaming load can help avoid overuse injuries. Similar to sports training, you don’t want to overdo it leading into competition day.
5. Recovering like an athlete
Good nutrition, rest, and breaks between sessions help your body reset and maintain performance long term.
Do Esports players get gaming injuries?
Absolutely. I’ve seen office workers, tradies, and passionate gamers all experiencing wrist, hand or back pain linked to long hours on the computer or console. The difference for esports players is that this might be your livelihood, which means injuries can affect your career.
Repetitive strain injuries (RSI), carpal tunnel syndrome, gamer's thumb, postural strain and even mental fatigue can all build up over time if ignored.
Does ACC cover Esports injuries?
This is where things get tricky. ACC usually covers injuries linked to a specific incident or accident that happened at a moment in time. Gradual onset injuries, like RSI from gaming, are generally not covered by ACC, as there needs to be a clear event that triggered the pain.
That said, the sooner you see a physio, the better your chances of preventing an injury becoming serious. It also helps to document issues early so your physiotherapist can assess the root cause of the pain and establish a timeline.
Should you see a physio for gaming-related pain?
If gaming is causing discomfort, the worst thing you can do is ignore it. Pushing through pain might seem brave, but it can lead to burnout or long-term injury, and ultimately hold you back from improving your performance.
Seeing a physio isn’t just about injury recovery. It’s about:
Identifying risk factors in your setup or habits
Creating a plan to stay healthy while doing what you love
Getting tailored advice for your body, based on your gaming style
Learning how to integrate strength and mobility into your routine
Just like an athlete has a coach, a good physio can be part of your support team, helping you stay at your best physically and mentally.
Game like an athlete, look after yourself
I love gaming. I also know first-hand how easy it is to lose track of time and let your body take a backseat. But if you want to play at your best, whether it’s casually or competitively, looking after your body matters.
Remember:
Sedentary activities aren’t bad, but too much without balance can be
Small injuries often start as preventable issues
Ergonomics and good habits go a long way
Seeking help early can stop pain from holding you back
If you’re a gamer, streamer or esports competitor struggling with discomfort or simply wanting to prevent injury, come and have a chat with the team at Habit Health and Physio Connect. You don’t have to quit what you love, you just need the right support to do it well.
Need help with gaming-related pain or esports injury prevention?
