Physical Therapy for Rowers
What sets Kristin apart is her connection to rowing.
Having spent over 30 years in the sport as both a competitive athlete and long-time coach, she brings an insider’s understanding of the unique physical demands, repetitive movement patterns, and injury risks rowers face. Unlike therapists without a rowing background, Kristin can quickly identify issues specific to the stroke, rigging, and training environment, and tailor treatment not just for recovery, but for performance and efficiency in the boat.
Injury Assessment
Treatment
Rowing-Specific Analysis:
Each session begins with a McKenzie Method® (MDT) assessment, which starts with a detailed patient history, focusing on the onset of symptoms and how they respond to rowing and different postures, positions, and movements. This provides valuable insight into which structures may be contributing to pain and how they can be offloaded. Because spine pain can sometimes present as hip, knee, shoulder, or rib pain, identifying these patterns is essential for rowers. The history is followed by a physical exam using repeated end-range movements to take joints through their full motion. This strategic approach helps determine the true source of pain—whether spinal, extremity, or other—and whether it is joint-related, musculotendinous, scar tissue, or another tissue source. These findings allow for accurate diagnosis and the development of a tailored treatment plan.
Following the assessment, a rower is prescribed a specific targeted exercise—typically performed 1–6 times per day. Manual therapy may be incorporated when appropriate, always within a safe framework that supports healing. Education is central to treatment: rowers learn how posture, technique, and training habits contribute to pain and injury and how small adjustments—such as refining stroke mechanics, optimizing boat setup, or managing training loads—can reduce stress and speed recovery. Clear guidance is provided on recovery timelines and when it is safe to return to rowing and competition.
Before completing therapy, rowers undergo a thorough assessment of contributing factors such as strength deficits or muscle length imbalances that may increase injury risk. Rowing form is assessed on a rowing machine and boat positioning is also evaluated to ensure they are not contributing to pain or dysfunction. Each rower leaves with a personalized set of exercises tailored to their body, designed to support recovery and reduce the risk of future injuries.
Rowing Performance and Preventative Services
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Physical Therapy Evaluation and Treatment
Rowing places unique demands on the body which can lead to back, rib, hip, and other pain. Having a deep understanding of the sport and the movement patterns that contribute to these injuries, Kristin provides targeted physical therapy to help rowers recover, restore movement, and return to the water stronger.
2
Rower Assessment and Injury Prevention
Whether you row for competition or fitness, small changes in technique, strength and mobility, or boat setup can make the difference between powering forward and breaking down. This one-on-one session blends stroke analysis, body assessment, and practical adjustments to help you row faster, longer, and pain-free..