Gamers Physical Therapy: Physical therapist helps gamers to recover from stress and strain

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It's a multi-million dollar industry - moving as quickly as its games. The world of e-sports has lured players from around the world. But intense competition means a lot of stress and strain. And that has gamers seeking help from an unlikely source. CGTN's Frances Kuo explains.

"We're going to get things rolling pretty soon here."

For these teens, this is the place to be.

Dozens have gathered at this gym. But in place of treadmills and barbells are controllers monitors and video games.

On this Friday night, a regional gaming tournament is being hosted by "the game gym" -- a youth training center for e-sports players. It's one of the few of its kind in the Washington, D.C. area, staffed in part by team manager, Joe Bieda.

JOE BIEDA TEAM MANAGER, THE GAME GYM "You don't have to be 6'8' to be a great e-sports athlete. You can be just an unassuming kid or can be a 16 -year-old kid and win $3 million in a Fortnite tournament."

That 16-year-old is American Kyle Giersdorf -- who won the top prize at a world competition this year. To reach the top, he reportedly practiced for up to eight hours a day, at least five days a week.

JOE BIEDA TEAM MANAGER, THE GAME GYM "Full-time jobs almost!"

FRANCES KUO POTOMAC, MARYLAND "Revenue from e-sports is expected to exceed one billion dollars next year. And as the stakes get higher, so does the physical toll on players."

DR. CAITLIN MCGEE PHYSICAL THERAPIST "It usually presents as back of the hand pain for a lot of our players, a common upper cross syndrome would be tightened shortened pec muscles and a weakened upper back which pulls you into that typical rounded or hunched posture."

Dr. Caitlin Mcgee is a physical therapist at an outpatient clinic by day. But for 20 additional hours a week, she works exclusively with gamers. Her portable office consists of a stretcher and various equipment.

DR. CAITLIN MCGEE PHYSICAL THERAPIST "You can do things like pinching motions, you can do pull-aparts, you can do whole-hand gripping, all of that to work on and strengthen the muscles of the hand. These are hand-grip strengtheners"

Gamer Martin Lee says Mcgee has been a welcome sight, helping with his hand pain and providing him with a whole new outlook on his game.

MARTIN LEE GAMER "You've got to be healthy if you want to be good."

On average, gamers are young -- in their teens and early twenties. Physical issues have some burning out early.

JOE BIEDA TEAM MANAGER, THE GAME GYM "It shortens their careers, and they have to stop playing."

It's what Mcgee hopes to prevent by showing these players how to change their game -- on an entirely different level.

Frances Kuo, CGTN, Potomac, Maryland.