Swimming & Water Polo Injury Physiotherapy – Perth

Aquatic athletes require a different rehabilitation approach — at FxM, we understand the unique demands of swimming and water polo performance, recovery, and injury management.

Swimming and water polo place unique demands on the body that differ significantly from most land-based sports. At Function Matters Physio, we provide sport-specific rehabilitation for swimmers and water polo athletes dealing with shoulder pain, overuse injuries, hip and knee pain, and performance limitations.

Drawing on Brett’s background in competitive swimming, surf lifesaving, and Australian representative water polo, we understand the physical demands of aquatic sport and the importance of balancing recovery with performance.

Whether you are a competitive athlete, masters swimmer, junior player, or recreational swimmer, rehabilitation programs are tailored to your training demands, movement patterns, and return-to-sport goals.

At FxM, we commonly assist with:

• Swimmer’s shoulder and rotator cuff overload
• Shoulder impingement and instability
• Throwing-related shoulder pain in water polo
• Hip and groin pain
• Breaststroker’s knee
• Neck and thoracic stiffness
• Overuse tendon injuries
• Elbow and wrist overload
• Lower back pain related to swimming mechanics
• Training load and overuse injuries

Programs are tailored to the athlete’s position, stroke demands, training volume, and competition goals.

Swimming and water polo involve repetitive overhead movement, high training volumes, rotational force production, and prolonged shoulder loading.

Water polo additionally places significant stress on:

• Throwing mechanics
• Shoulder stability
• Hip and groin loading from eggbeater kicking
• Trunk rotation and overhead power production

At Function Matters Physio, rehabilitation considers the unique biomechanics and performance demands of aquatic sport rather than applying generic shoulder rehabilitation principles.

Effective rehabilitation focuses on more than simply reducing pain.

At FxM, rehabilitation aims to:
✅ Restore shoulder strength and movement control
✅ Improve scapular stability and thoracic mobility
✅ Rebuild throwing and swimming load tolerance
✅ Reduce recurrence risk and overuse flare-ups
✅ Improve movement efficiency and confidence in the water
✅ Support safe return to training and competition

Treatment may include:

• Hands-on physiotherapy
• Dry needling
• Strength and gym-based rehabilitation
• Shoulder and movement assessment
• Load management strategies
• Return-to-water progressions
• Performance and injury prevention strategies

Shoulder pain is one of the most common issues in aquatic sport due to the repetitive overhead nature of swimming and throwing. 

Symptoms may include:

• Pain during freestyle or butterfly
• Pain throwing or shooting
• Reduced power or endurance
• Clicking or instability sensations
• Pain after training sessions
• Shoulder stiffness or fatigue

At Function Matters Physio, assessment considers shoulder mechanics, thoracic mobility, scapular control, strength deficits, and training load to help identify contributing factors affecting recovery and performance.

At FxM, rehabilitation is designed to progressively rebuild strength, load tolerance, movement confidence, and sport-specific capacity.

Whether your goal is:

• Returning to squad training
• Preparing for competition
• Improving throwing power
• Managing training load
• Preventing recurring shoulder pain

Treatment plans are tailored to your individual sporting demands and goals.

✅ Genuine experience in swimming and water polo
✅ Understanding of overhead athlete rehabilitation
✅ Individualised strength and movement-based rehab
✅ Focus on both performance and injury prevention
✅ Conveniently located in Innaloo servicing Scarborough, Karrinyup, Doubleview, Woodlands, Osborne Park and greater Perth