Videogaming & Esports

Gaming & Esports Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy for gamers, esports players and content creators

Pain from gaming is not always as simple as “bad posture”, “too much screen time”, or "gamer chair diff"

Mouse and keyboard use, controller play, aim training, ranked sessions, streaming, gym training, study, work and recovery habits can all contribute to how your body feels during and after gaming.

Dr Kevin Ho provides services for people who are experiencing hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, shoulder, neck or back pain related to gaming, streaming or esports.

Common gaming-related problems

Gaming and esports physiotherapy may help with:

• Finger, hand or wrist pain from mouse, keyboard or controller use

• Forearm tightness, tendon irritation or nerve symptoms

• Elbow, shoulder or neck pain during longer sessions

• Upper back or lower back pain from prolonged sitting

• Pain related to aim training, FPS games such as Valorant, or high-repetition gaming

• Flare-ups when balancing gaming with gym, study, work or competition

• Return-to-play planning after injury, overload or a pain flare-up

A gaming-aware approach

The painful area still needs to be assessed properly, but your gaming context matters.

For example, two people with wrist pain may need very different advice depending on whether they are using low sensitivity FPS aiming, high APM keyboard inputs, controller grip, mobile gaming, long streaming sessions, or heavy gym training on the same day.

Assessment may include discussion of:

• Your game, role and platform

• Mouse, keyboard, controller or mobile setup

• Session length, breaks and weekly gaming volume

• Aim training, ranked play, scrims or tournament demands

• Desk, chair and monitor setup

• Gym training, sleep, stress and recovery

• What gaming means to you socially, competitively or professionally

The aim is to help you reduce pain while keeping you connected to gaming where possible.

Experience in gaming and esports

Dr Kevin Ho has a special interest in gaming and esports health, with experience supporting gamers, competitive players and esports organisations. 

He is a gamer and content creator himself! Gamer Tag: DrKevHo

His esports work has included involvement with players and organisations across the Australian gaming scene, including ESL Australia, League of Legends Circuit Oceania, Dire Wolves and GroundZeroOCE. He has also contributed to esports health education through professional teaching, writing and physiotherapy education.

This background helps bridge the gap between standard physiotherapy care and the specific demands of gaming.

What to expect

Your appointment may include:

• Assessment of the painful area

• Review of your gaming habits and physical load

• Hands-on treatment where appropriate

• Exercises for strength, mobility or control

• Practical setup or habit adjustments

• Advice on breaks, recovery and graded return to play

• A plan that fits around gaming, work, study, training or competition

Do I need to stop gaming?

Usually not!

In many cases, the goal is to modify gaming load rather than remove it completely. This may involve adjusting session length, changing the type of gaming temporarily, reducing certain drills, modifying gym load, or gradually rebuilding tolerance.

Book an appointment

If gaming is starting to cause pain, discomfort or reduced performance, Dr Kevin Ho can help you understand what is going on and what to do next.

Our standard appointment can suffice for most issues, however if you wish to have a longer consult (1hr) to be more in-depth (e.g. keyboard, mice and chair ergonomics) please let us know!