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Rowing Physiotherapy Perth | Evidence-Based Care for Rowers at Star Physio WA

Western Australian rowing team at the Australian National Championships with Star Physio WA physiotherapists supporting athlete recovery and performance.

WA Pathways Rowing Squad Supported By Star Physio Penrith 2025

Rowing Physiotherapy at Star Physio WA.

Rowing physiotherapy in Perth focuses on diagnosing and managing common rowing injuries such as lower back pain, rib stress injuries, knee pain and shoulder pain. At Star Physio WA, we help rowers stay on the water by combining accurate diagnosis, load management and strength training to support recovery and performance.

Why Rowers Get Injured

Rowing involves high repetitive loads through the spine and lower limbs. Combined with training volume and fatigue, this makes rowers more prone to overuse injuries, particularly in the lower back, ribs and knees.

Lower back pain is the most common injury in rowing and a key focus of rowing physiotherapy in Perth, with research suggesting around 30–50% of rowers experience it each year. This advice is based on current sports medicine research and over 25 years of experience working with rowing athletes, including national and international competition.

How Should I manage a Rowing Injury?

Rowing places high, repetitive loads on the body. Back pain, rib injuries, knee pain, and shoulder issues are common — but complete rest is rarely the answer.

At Star Physio WA, we provide rowing-focused physiotherapy care designed to keep athletes training wherever possible. With accurate diagnosis and evidence-based management, many rowers can continue rowing, erging, or cross-training while recovering from injury.

Our clinics in West Perth and Mosman Park are conveniently located near many Perth rowing clubs and schools. Both locations include fully equipped rehabilitation gyms and experienced strength and conditioning staff, allowing smooth progression from treatment to performance training.

👉 If you row in Perth and want physiotherapy that understands the demands of rowing, Star Physio is here to help.

You can book a session with one of our experts here!

Why Rowers Choose Star Physio WA

  • Longstanding involvement with flat-water and surf boat rowing

  • Strong understanding of rowing biomechanics and training loads

  • Clear focus on keeping rowers on the water

  • Integrated physiotherapy and strength & conditioning

  • Frequently trusted for expert and second opinions

Rowing Physiotherapy Experience

Star Physio’s Principal Physiotherapist Damian Oldmeadow began working with rowing athletes in 1997 at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra.

Since returning to Perth, Damian and the Star Physio team have supported:

  • Junior and school rowers

  • Club and pathways athletes

  • Elite and masters rowers

In 2025, Damian travelled as physiotherapist with:

  • UWA / Shenton College at the Australian Rowing Championships (Tasmania)

  • WA teams at the Australian Pathways Rowing Championships (Canberra)

In 2026, Star Physio again supported the UWA and Shenton College Teams at the Australian Rowing Championships with great success. You can read more about it here!

This depth of experience ensures rowers receive practical, up-to-date care aligned with the realities of modern rowing.

Common Rowing Injuries We Treat

Lower Back Pain in Rowers

Lower back pain is the most common injury in rowing, with research suggesting around 30–50% of rowers experience it each year. Research also shows this may be even higher in some populations.

Research summary: Studies report lower back pain affects 30–50% of rowers annually, with higher rates seen in elite populations (source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12218018/).

Current evidence suggests:

  • Technique often changes because of pain, rather than being the original cause

Factors linked with rowing-related back pain include:

  • Previous history of back pain

  • Sudden increases in training load

  • Fatigue

  • Prolonged ergometer use

  • Age

Factors such as sweep vs scull, flexibility, height, BMI, or age of commencement do not appear strongly linked to back pain according to quality research.

Three elite rowers showing different rowing postures used during high-performance rowing.

Three elite rowers demonstrating different rowing postures during on-water training.

Other Common Rowing Injuries

Rowers frequently present with:

  • Knee pain (commonly patellofemoral pain)

  • Shoulder pain

  • Rib pain and rib stress fractures

Our goal is always the same: accurate diagnosis, smart load modification, and keeping you rowing whenever it’s safe to do so.

Strength & Conditioning for Rowers

Strong research across multiple sports shows that regular strength training can reduce injury risk by up to 70% — and it also improves rowing performance.

For most rowers, this involves:

  • Two structured strength sessions per week

  • Progressive loading

  • Rowing-specific movement patterns

Strength training is safe and beneficial for all ages, from junior rowers through to masters athletes.

Our physiotherapy and strength staff work together to build programs that support:

  • Injury rehabilitation

  • Injury prevention

  • Performance and power development

Star Physio clinician coaching a rower through strength and conditioning technique as part of rowing physiotherapy in Perth.

Star Physio’s Steve Jeffries guiding an athlete through strength and conditioning technique in the clinic gym.

Our Approach to Rowing Physiotherapy

At Star Physio WA, our approach emphasises:

  • Early and accurate diagnosis

  • Understanding rowing-specific biomechanics

  • Contemporary pain science — pain does not always equal tissue damage

  • Avoiding unnecessary scans and fear-based management

Research shows many people without pain have “abnormal” MRI findings, even at a young age. We ensure imaging is used only when clinically appropriate and explained clearly, so it supports recovery rather than delaying it.

Look at the picture below of findings on MRI in people with no pain. Even at 20 years of age, over 25% of people have “abnormal” discs.

Abnormal MRI findings in pain free patients.

Research & Evidence

Rowing Physiotherapy FAQs

Do I need to stop rowing if I have back pain?

In most cases, no. Rowing-related back pain is common, affecting up to 30–50% of rowers each year. With the right diagnosis and load management, most rowers can continue training in some capacity while recovering.

What is the most common injury in rowing?

Lower back pain is the most common injury in rowing. It accounts for a large proportion of rowing injuries and is often related to training load, fatigue, and previous injury history.

Can physiotherapy help me row through injury?

Yes. Physiotherapy focuses on accurate diagnosis, modifying training loads, and maintaining strength and fitness so rowers can continue progressing during recovery.

Is strength training important for rowers?

Yes. Strength training can reduce injury risk and improve rowing performance. Most rowers benefit from 1–2 structured strength sessions per week.

Do I need a scan for rowing back pain?

Not usually. Many rowers have “abnormal” findings on scans that are not related to pain. A physiotherapist can assess whether imaging is necessary.

Do you work with rowing teams and schools in Perth?

Yes. Star Physio WA regularly works with school, club and elite rowing programs across Perth, including national-level competition support.

Trusted Rowing Physiotherapists in Perth

Star Physio WA is trusted by rowing athletes, coaches, and organisations across Perth and Western Australia for high-quality rowing physiotherapy care.

Clinics in West Perth and Mosman Park

Call today 64249578 or book online to work with physiotherapists who understand rowing — and know how to keep you on the water.