🚴♀️ Top Cycling Injuries in Victoria, BC (2025) – And How Rehab Helps
Victoria is known as one of Canada’s most bike-friendly cities, with scenic commutes, mountain trails, and a thriving cycling community. But with year-round riding comes the risk of injury—whether from overuse, poor posture, or unexpected falls.
In 2025, some of the most common cycling injuries we’re seeing in Victoria include:
🔹 1. Knee Pain
Conditions like patellofemoral pain syndrome, IT band syndrome, and tendinitis are common in cyclists, especially when saddle height or cleat alignment is off.
🔹 2. Lower Back Pain
Long hours in the saddle—especially on road or gravel bikes—can lead to stiffness, muscle imbalances, or aggravated lumbar discs.
🔹 3. Hand and Wrist Numbness
Prolonged pressure on handlebars can compress nerves, leading to symptoms like Cyclist’s Palsy or carpal tunnel syndrome.
🔹 4. Neck and Shoulder Strain
A hunched riding posture causes tightness in the upper traps, neck, and mid-back—often leaving riders sore after longer rides.
🔹 5. Acute Injuries from Crashes
Falls, especially on wet roads or downtown bike lanes, can result in fractured collarbones, wrist sprains, or road rash—particularly in spring and fall when conditions are slick.
🩺 How Physiotherapy Helps Cyclists Recover
Physiotherapy is often the first line of care for both overuse and acute injuries. A Victoria-based physio can support cyclists with:
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Bike Fit Assessments – Correcting saddle height, cleat positioning, and handlebar reach to reduce repetitive strain. Yes, you can bring your bike into our enormous treatment room!
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Strength and Conditioning – Building hip, glute, and core strength to stabilize the pelvis and reduce knee and back pain.
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Manual Therapy – Releasing tension in tight muscle groups like quads, hamstrings, and the IT band.
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Postural Correction & Education – Teaching cyclists how to engage the right muscles and reduce slouching.
Whether you’re prepping for the Tour de Victoria or commuting the Galloping Goose Trail, a physiotherapist can help you ride stronger and pain-free.
💆♂️ Massage Therapy for Cyclists
Massage therapy complements physiotherapy by promoting muscle recovery and reducing stress on overworked tissues. Cyclists in Victoria benefit from:
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Deep tissue massage for tight quads, hamstrings, glutes, and hip flexors.
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Myofascial release to improve flexibility and reduce tension in the neck, shoulders, and lower back.
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Sports massage before or after big rides to boost circulation and reduce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
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Relaxation techniques to help riders mentally reset after long training blocks or races.
Many of our RMTs also work with triathletes and mountain bikers to address sport-specific concerns.
🦴 Chiropractic Care for Better Alignment & Injury Recovery
Chiropractors play a key role in addressing joint and spinal alignment, especially when posture or repetitive motion is causing pain. Chiropractic care for cyclists includes:
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Spinal adjustments to improve mobility in the neck, thoracic spine, and lower back.
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Joint mobilizations for stiff hips, knees, or wrists.
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Soft tissue techniques to relieve muscle imbalances that affect pedal stroke efficiency.
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Posture correction & movement education, especially for cyclists with recurring shoulder or back tension.
If you’re frequently experiencing discomfort after a ride—even with good bike fit—chiropractic care may help correct deeper biomechanical issues.
🚴♂️ Preventing Cycling Injuries in Victoria
Living in a cycling hub like Victoria means injury prevention is just as important as rehab. Here’s how to stay ahead of the pain:
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✅ Get a proper bike fit (ask your physiotherapist or chiropractor for guidance)
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✅ Warm up and cool down with light stretching and mobility drills
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✅ Cross-train with core, glute, and shoulder strengthening exercises
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✅ Rotate hand positions on longer rides to reduce nerve compression
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✅ Book regular maintenance treatments like massage or chiro to stay limber
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✅ Listen to your body—pain is a message, not a badge of honor
🌿 Ride Pain-Free in Victoria
Whether you ride the Lochside Trail, compete in local cycling races, or bike to work downtown, injury can be frustrating—but recovery is possible. A collaborative approach involving physiotherapy, massage therapy, and chiropractic care gives Victoria’s cyclists the best chance at healing faster, preventing future injury, and enjoying the ride.
Ready to get back on your bike pain-free? Book an appointment with a local rehab clinic today.