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Cycling Medicine

Our cycling medicine program features a varied team of clinicians, therapists and cycling experts who work together to assess and treat cycling injuries. They can also craft a program to help you optimize your performance on the bike.

Treatment may include physical therapy, bodywork, interventional procedures, and bike fitting. If necessary, we can also facilitate an additional workup for a complex or unclear diagnosis.

Our primary goals are to:

  • Increase your knowledge of cycling biomechanics and injury prevention
  • Maximize your performance
  • Minimize discomfort and time loss due to injury

Levels of Care for Cycling Medicine

With a combination of highly trained people and the most advanced rehabilitation treatments and research available, we’re here to make a difference in your life and help pave the road to wellness.

  • Wellness
Explore More Levels of Care

Spaulding's Approach to Cycling Medicine

We will assess your muscle strength, flexibility, bicycle fit, and riding technique. The evaluation is designed to provide specific diagnosis for competing cyclists, triathletes and cycling enthusiasts. From the assessment we will create an individualized plan to help you achieve your recovery and performance goals.

Spaulding Outpatient Center Wellesley is committed to helping you achieve your potential through improved technique and movement patterns and proper bike fit.

Cycling Medicine Services

Our skilled clinicians, specializing in cycling medicine, provide the following services:

  • Thorough medical evaluation by a Board Certified Sports Medicine and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Doctor specializing in cycling medicine
  • Biomechanical evaluation by a Physical Therapist specializing in cycling medicine
  • Individualized treatment plans for cyclists and triathletes targeting performance improvement
  • Evaluation and management of acute and chronic injuries related to cycling
  • Collaboration with local bicycle shops and custom bike builders to facilitate the optimal cycling experience
  • Ultrasound guided diagnosis of musculoskeletal injury
  • Ultrasound guided injections
  • Trigger point injections
  • Platelet-Rich Plasma injections (PRP)
  • Acupuncture
  • Manual Therapy
  • Therapeutic Exercise
  • Movement Re-education
  • Kinesiotaping
  • Opportunities to participate in cycling-specific research studies

For more information about our Cycling Program or to schedule an evaluation, call (781) 431-9144 option 1 or email: SRHWellesley@partners.org.

Locations

Outpatient

Stories of Strength

  • Celebrity spotlight series: cycling medicine program

    NESN Celebrity Spotlight Series: Spaulding Cycling Medicine Program

    In this segment, Dr. Dana Kotler and Greg Robidoux, PT of the Spaulding Cycling Medicine Program shows how the team approaches helping cyclists of all levels stay healthy and achieve their best performance through a unique blend of approaches.

Recent Publications

Kotler DH, Babu AN, Robidoux G. Prevention, Evaluation, and Rehabilitation of Cycling-Related Injury. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2016 May-Jun;15(3):199-206.

Joyce AA, Kotler DH. Core Training in Low Back Disorders: Role of the Pilates Method. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2017 May/Jun;16(3):156-161.

Kotler DH, Lynch M, Cushman D, Hu J, Garner J. Dancers' Perceived and Actual Knowledge of Anatomy. J Dance Med Sci. 2017 Jun 15;21(2):76-81.

Meyers AC, Bhatnagar S, Robidoux G, Kotler D. Results of an online community survey on cyclist's riding and racing habits, crash history, traumatic and chronic injury, and medical treatment. Journal of Science and Cycling, 2018;6(2), 27-34. https://doi.org/10.28985/171231.jsc.11.

Rice S, Iaccarino MA, Bhatnagar S, Robidoux G, Zafonte R, Kotler DH. Reporting of Concussion-Like Symptoms After Cycling Crashes: A Survey of Competitive and Recreational Cyclists. J Athl Train. 2020 Jan;55(1):11-16. PMID: 31855078, PMCID: PMC6961649, https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-91-19

Kotler DH, Cushman DM, Rice S, Gilbert C, Bhatnagar S, Robidoux CG, Iaccarino MA. Fear, Anxiety, and Return to Sport After Cycling Crashes: A Survey of Cyclists. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2022 Feb;33(1):107-122. PMID: 34798993, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmr.2021.08.008

Puleo RM, Barreveld A, Rice S, Althausen Plante AM, Kotler DH. Unique Concerns of the Woman Cyclist. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2022 Feb;33(1):61-79. PMID: 34799003, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmr.2021.08.005

Cushman DM, Dowling N, Ehn M, Kotler DH. Triathlon Considerations. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2022 Feb;33(1):81-90. PMID: 34799004, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmr.2021.08.006

Kotler DH, Iaccarino MA, Rice S, Herman S. Return to Cycling Following Brain Injury: A Proposed Multidisciplinary Approach. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2022 Feb;33(1):91-9105. PMID: 34799005, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmr.2021.08.007

Cortez AN, Kotler DH. Cycling Medicine. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2022 Feb;33(1):xv-xxvi. PMID: 34799007, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmr.2021.09.001

Hsu C, Schowalter S, Jarnagin J, Babu AN, Kotler DH. Buttock Pain in Athletes: A Narrative Review. Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports. 2023. In press.

Kotler D, Rice S, Katz N, Gomes N, Holliday W, Zunti K, Moore J. Training and Injury Considerations in Female-Identifying Cyclists. Journal of Women's Sports Medicine. 2023 Jul 26;3(2):11-24. https://doi.org/10.53646/jwsm.v3i2.45

  • Our Team

    Dana Kotler, MD is a board-certified physiatrist and sports medicine specialist. With training from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, she completed her residency at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and a sports medicine fellowship at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Passionate about cycling medicine, Dr. Kotler founded the groundbreaking Spaulding Cycling Medicine Program, employing a collaborative approach to diagnose and manage medical issues in cyclists and triathletes. She is widely recognized for her expertise and has presented extensively and published multiple articles on cycling medicine topics. She continues to inspire others through her insightful research and unwavering commitment to the well-being and performance of athletes.

    Karen Zunti, PT is a physical therapist and Gold-level certified bike fitter through BikePT, and level 2 bike fitter through Serotta International Cycling Institute. She has raced mountain bikes and triathlons, and is involved in Spaulding's adaptive mountain biking and cycling programs. Her cycling passion helps her understand the importance of proper functional movement patterns and bike fit to reduce injury, increase comfort on the bike, and improve performance.