Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional for advice specific to your condition. © 2026 Better Physiotherapy Bundoora.
Gym injuries are some of the most rewarding conditions to treat from a physiotherapy perspective — because the same progressive overload principles that caused the injury are exactly what we use to rehabilitate it. With the right approach, most gym injuries don't require time away from training.
The Most Common Gym Injuries
Low back pain from lifting: The most common gym injury. Usually from lumbar flexion under load, rapid load progression, or inadequate bracing. Physiotherapy addresses both the acute injury and the movement pattern — technique analysis is integral to treatment.
Shoulder impingement from pressing: Bench press and overhead press are major drivers of subacromial impingement and AC joint irritation. Rotator cuff strengthening, posterior shoulder mobility, and technique modification are the cornerstones of treatment.
Knee pain from squatting: Patellofemoral pain, patellar tendinopathy, and quad strain — often from sudden training load increases. Management maintains squatting in a modified form wherever possible.
Elbow pain from curls and rows: Medial epicondylalgia from curls, lateral from tricep work or specific grip positions.
Wrist injuries from Olympic lifting: Clean and jerk wrist positioning places significant demands on the wrists — TFCC injuries and carpal injuries occur in novice lifters learning the rack position.
How Physiotherapy Manages Lifting Injuries
- Movement assessment: Video analysis of the offending movement to identify biomechanical contributors
- Load modification: Reducing volume and intensity while maintaining movement pattern
- Exercise substitution: Alternative movements that load the same muscle groups without aggravating the injury
- Progressive rehabilitation: Gradual return to full loading with objective progression criteria
- Technique coaching: Correcting the movement fault that caused the injury
Gym Injury Treatment at Better Physiotherapy Bundoora
Our physiotherapists understand strength training and the gym environment. We don't tell lifters to stop lifting — we help them rehabilitate within their sport. Call (03) 9467 6900 or book online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my lower back hurt when I deadlift?
Common causes of deadlift-related back pain: lumbar flexion under load (rounded lower back), insufficient hip hinge pattern, bar starting position too far from shins, poor bracing technique, and training load progressing faster than tissues can adapt. A physiotherapist will assess your deadlift mechanics alongside the injury — most lifting back pain is from technique and load management issues, not structural damage.
Is it safe to squat with bad knees?
In most cases of knee pain, squatting can continue with appropriate modification — depth, stance width, load, and frequency. A physiotherapist will identify which aspect of the squat is provocative and advise on modifications. Box squats, goblet squats, and machine leg press are often useful bridges during knee rehabilitation while maintaining lower body training stimulus.
What causes shoulder pain from bench pressing?
Anterior shoulder pain from bench press is most commonly subacromial impingement or AC joint irritation. Contributing factors include: bar path too close to the neck (wide grip, excessive shoulder flexion), shoulder internal rotation positioning at the bottom, inadequate posterior shoulder mobility, and pectoralis major dominance over the rotator cuff. Technique modification is as important as strengthening in management.
Do I need to stop lifting while I recover from an injury?
Rarely. Unless imaging reveals a structural injury requiring immobilisation, or the movement is causing neurological symptoms, modified training almost always continues throughout rehabilitation. Physiotherapists experienced with strength sports understand that training continuity matters — both physically (maintaining fitness) and psychologically. The goal is to rehabilitate within the gym, not away from it.
Ashley Haleel
Physiotherapist & Owner — Better Physiotherapy Bundoora