Common Rowing Injuries in Sarasota (and How We Treat Them)
Rowing has exploded in popularity in Sarasota, thanks to programs like Sarasota Crew and world-class facilities at Nathan Benderson Park. From competitive athletes to recreational rowers, more people than ever are hitting the water.
But rowing is demanding, both technically and physically. It requires strength, endurance, and repetitive motion, which means injuries are common if the body isn’t balanced and resilient.
At Well Co Chiropractic, I work with Sarasota rowers to recover from injuries and prevent them from coming back, using Active Release Technique (ART), chiropractic care, and targeted rehab.
The Most Common Rowing Injuries
1. Low Back Pain
Cause: The repetitive flexion/extension of the spine during strokes places high stress on lumbar discs and muscles.
Symptoms: Aching or sharp pain in the lower back, stiffness after rowing, pain with bending or twisting.
Treatment at Well Co: ART to release tight spinal and hip muscles, adjustments for alignment, and core stability training to protect the lumbar spine.
2. Rib Stress Injuries
Cause: Repeated contraction of the muscles between the ribs (intercostals) during rowing puts stress on the rib cage.
Symptoms: Sharp chest or side pain, worse with deep breathing or rowing strokes.
Treatment at Well Co: Manual therapy for surrounding muscles, gradual loading exercises, and breath mechanics retraining.
3. Shoulder Impingement & Rotator Cuff Strains
Cause: High repetition of overhead and forward rowing motions irritates the shoulder joint.
Symptoms: Pain at the front or top of the shoulder, weakness with lifting, limited range of motion.
Treatment at Well Co: ART for rotator cuff and shoulder stabilizers, strengthening of scapular muscles, postural retraining - heavy focus on muscular imbalances from training.
4. Wrist & Forearm Tendonitis
Cause: Repetitive gripping of the oar leads to tendon overload.
Symptoms: Pain and stiffness in the wrist or forearm, worse with gripping or rowing.
Treatment at Well Co: Soft tissue therapy for forearm flexors/extensors, eccentric strengthening, and grip modification guidance.
5. Knee Pain (Patellofemoral Syndrome)
Cause: Repeated bending and pressure through the knees during drive and recovery phases.
Symptoms: Pain at the front of the knee, stiffness after rowing or squatting.
Treatment at Well Co: ART for quads/hamstrings, hip strengthening, and mobility work to reduce knee stress.
How We Treat Rowing Injuries at Well Co Chiropractic
Rowers don’t just need short-term relief, they need to stay on the water. At Well Co Chiropractic in Sarasota, my treatment approach includes:
Active Release Technique (ART): To free up tight muscles and fascia.
Chiropractic adjustments: To improve spine and rib mechanics.
Rehab exercises: Core, hips, shoulders, and grip strengthening to reduce re-injury risk.
Sport-specific guidance: Modifying technique and training loads to keep athletes rowing safely.
Final Thoughts
Rowing is one of Sarasota’s fastest-growing sports, and it’s easy to see why. But with the physical demands of the sport, injuries can creep in quickly. The good news is, with the right treatment plan, rowers can recover and return stronger than ever.
If you’re a Sarasota rower struggling with back pain, shoulder irritation, or rib pain, we can help.
