Cycling Injury Physical Therapy in Winter Garden: Meet Dr. Mario
Winter Garden is one of the best places in Central Florida to ride. The West Orange Trail runs right through downtown, the hills around Clermont and Sugarloaf Mountain draw riders from all over the state, and group rides roll out of Horizon West and Windermere every weekend.
But long miles in a fixed position take a toll. If a stiff neck, a burning mid-back, an aching low back, or a sore knee is cutting your rides short, you don’t have to just push through it or park the bike. At Pursuit Physical Therapy Winter Garden,
Dr. Mario Urdaneta-Moncada leads our cycling injury program, and he’s here to get you back on the saddle, pain-free.
Meet Dr. Mario: Winter Garden’s Cycling Injury Specialist
Dr. Mario Urdaneta-Moncada, FAAOMPT, is the lead specialist for cycling injuries at Pursuit Winter Garden. As a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists, he has completed advanced fellowship training in orthopedic manual therapy, a credential held by a small percentage of physical therapists in the country.
That training matters for cyclists. Riding pain rarely comes from one spot. A sore knee can trace back to the hip, the foot, or how you sit on the bike. A tight neck often starts in the mid-back. Dr. Mario looks at the whole chain, not just the place that hurts, so you get to the root of the problem instead of chasing symptoms.
Whether you ride a road bike, gravel bike, triathlon setup, or Peloton at home, Dr. Mario understands the demands of the sport and what it takes to keep you riding.
Common Cycling Injuries Dr. Mario Treats
Neck Pain
Holding your head up to see the road for hours, especially in an aggressive, low position, loads the muscles and joints at the back of the neck. Riders often feel stiffness, aching at the base of the skull, headaches, or pain that spreads into the shoulders. Reach that’s too long or handlebars set too low make it worse.
Mid-Back Pain
The mid-back (thoracic spine) stays rounded and still for most of a ride. Over time that leads to stiffness, burning between the shoulder blades, and a mid-back that can’t extend well. When the mid-back stops moving, the neck and low back pick up the slack, which is why mid-back pain so often shows up alongside neck or low back pain.
Low Back Pain
Low back pain is one of the most common complaints among cyclists. Tight hip flexors and hamstrings, weak glutes and core, a saddle that’s too high or too far back, and long climbs out of the saddle can all overload the lumbar spine. Some riders feel a dull ache after long rides. Others get sharp pain or pain that travels into the hip or leg.
Knee Pain
With thousands of pedal strokes per ride, small problems add up fast. Pain at the front of the knee (patellofemoral pain) often points to saddle height, cleat position, or quad and hip strength. Pain on the outside of the knee is frequently linked to IT band irritation. Pain on the inside or behind the knee can come from cleat rotation, saddle setback, or hamstring overload.
How Dr. Mario Treats Cyclists
Every plan starts with a one-on-one evaluation built around how you ride.
- A full cycling-specific evaluation. Dr. Mario reviews your riding history, weekly mileage, recent changes in training or equipment, and exactly when the pain shows up. He then assesses your spine, hips, knees, and feet for mobility, strength, and control.
- A look at your bike and position. Saddle height, setback, handlebar reach and drop, and cleat position all affect how stress moves through your body. Bring your bike or photos of your setup, and Dr. Mario will help identify position factors that may be feeding your pain.
- Hands-on manual therapy. Using his fellowship training, Dr. Mario uses joint mobilization, soft tissue work, and other manual techniques to restore motion in stiff areas like the mid-back, neck, and hips.
- Targeted strength and mobility. Cyclists are often strong in a narrow range and weak everywhere else. Your program builds the glutes, core, and upper back so your body can handle the position and the miles.
- A plan to get back to riding. You’ll get clear guidance on how to keep riding (or modify it) while you heal, and a progression back to full training, group rides, and events.
Why Cyclists Choose Pursuit Winter Garden
- One-on-one time with a doctor of physical therapy. No aides, no being passed between patients. Your full session is spent with Dr. Mario.
- Fewer visits, real progress. Our concierge model is built around getting you better efficiently, not keeping you on the schedule for months.
- Specialist-level care close to home. Conveniently located at 1620 Daniels Rd, Suite 130, serving Winter Garden, Horizon West, Windermere, Clermont, and the West Orange County riding community.
- Part of a trusted practice. Pursuit Physical Therapy has earned 400+ five-star Google reviews and has been voted Best in Orlando every year since 2018.
At Pursuit, our mission is simple: To Help · To Serve · To Care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to stop riding while I’m in physical therapy? Not always. Many cyclists can keep riding with adjustments to intensity, duration, or position. Dr. Mario will tell you what’s safe for your situation.
Do I need a referral to see Dr. Mario? No. In Florida, you can see a physical therapist directly without a physician referral.
Should I bring my bike? If you can, yes. Seeing your setup helps Dr. Mario connect your symptoms to your position. Photos or a video of you riding on a trainer also work.
Is this only for competitive cyclists? Not at all. Dr. Mario treats everyone from weekend trail riders and indoor cyclists to triathletes and racers.
What if my pain started after a crash? After any crash, see a physician first to rule out fractures or a head injury. Dr. Mario also specializes in concussion management and can help with your recovery once you’re cleared.
Get Back on the Bike: Call Pursuit Winter Garden Today
Don’t let neck pain, mid-back pain, low back pain, or knee pain keep you off the trail. Dr. Mario and the team at Pursuit Winter Garden are ready to help you ride stronger, longer, and pain-free.
Call Pursuit Physical Therapy Winter Garden at (407) 335-0403 to schedule your evaluation with Dr. Mario.
Pursuit Physical Therapy – Winter Garden 1620 Daniels Rd, Suite 130 Winter Garden, FL (407) 335-0403
