Surfing & Sore Backs? A Chiropractor’s Take on Surf Injuries in Ocean Grove

Surfing is magic for the soul… and sometimes chaos for the body 😅

I see a lot of surfers at Flora Chiropractic in Ocean Grove who feel amazing in the water — then later their neck, lower back, shoulders or hips are not so happy.

Surfing looks flowy, but it’s actually demanding: paddling, arching, twisting, popping up fast, and wiping out occasionally. It loads the body in ways most of us don’t train for.

Common Surfing Injuries I See

🌊 Lower back pain

All that paddling in an extended (arched) position can compress the lower back. If your hips or mid-back are stiff, your lower back works even harder — and that’s when pain kicks in.

🌊 Neck and upper back tightness

Holding your head up while paddling strains the neck and upper back muscles. Add desk posture during the week and things get tight fast.

🌊 Shoulder pain

Your shoulders do a LOT of work in the water. Repetitive paddling can irritate the shoulder joint and surrounding muscles, especially if mobility or strength isn’t balanced.

🌊 Hip tightness

Pop-ups and time spent lying prone can leave hips feeling stiff, which can feed into lower back discomfort.

Why Surfers Get Sore

Often it’s not just the surf — it’s the combo of:

• stiff joints not moving well

• tight chest, hip and back muscles

• weak or underactive support muscles

• weekday posture not matching weekend activity

Your body can handle surfing… but it needs the right mobility and strength to do it well.

How I Help Surfers at Flora Chiropractic

When surfers come in, I look at how your whole body moves — not just where it hurts.

Care may include:

✔️ Chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal and joint mobility
✔️ Massage and soft tissue therapy for tight shoulders, back and hips
✔️ Cupping therapy where helpful for muscle tension
✔️ Exercise rehabilitation to support paddling posture and core strength
✔️ Practical advice to balance desk life with surf life

The aim is to help you recover faster, reduce pain, and make your body more resilient in the water.

You Don’t Have to Choose Between Surfing and Feeling Good

So many people think soreness is “just part of surfing.” Some fatigue is normal — ongoing pain isn’t.

If you’re in Ocean Grove or the Bellarine area and surfing is leaving you with back pain, neck stiffness, or cranky shoulders, your body might just need a bit of support.

Let’s keep you doing what you love — with less pain and better movement.

Book in at Flora Chiropractic in Ocean Grove and let’s get you surfing (and feeling) better 🌊