High school and club athletes
Venice, North Port, Sarasota High, Riverview, Cardinal Mooney, and the new Wellen Park High School pipeline. Same-week slots when we can.
Venice · Wellen Park · UTCPlay Harder
Play Harder
Recover Faster
Stay Stronger
The sports chiropractor local athletes call when they need to play again — not just feel better for a week. Dr. Joanne Fava, DC, CCSP, EMT-B
- CCSP sports physician
- Chief Medical Officer, Nathan Benderson Park
- High school · crew · triathlon · pickleball
Golf and pickleball
Most golfers and pickleball players come in for the elbow. The elbow is just where the day showed up. A hip that will not turn makes the shoulder reach and the forearm finish every shot. Miss that first step, and the rest of the match is spent playing around it.
Endurance and masters athletes
Storm Triathlon, Crew, road and trail. Root-cause rehab after other offices treated the pain and missed the sport.
The difference
Other offices chase the pain. We find why you broke down.
Dr. Fava is sought after when return-to-play stalls. Care is functional and sport-specific — the serve, the swing, the catch — not a generic adjustment mill.
- Venice High School
- Riverview High School
- Cardinal Mooney High School
- Sarasota Storm Triathlon Club
- Sarasota Sharks
- YMCA SWFL Hurricanes
- Sarasota Crew
01
Assess the sport
We start with how you actually move — serve, swing, stride, catch — not a generic spine screen. The goal is a diagnosis that matches the demand of your sport.
02
Treat the cause
Pain is the last thing that showed up. Hands-on care (adjustment, Graston, pin-and-stretch, taping) is aimed at the tissue and joint that failed, not just the sore spot.
03
Reload the movement
Return-to-play is a plan, not a hope. Sport-specific exercise so you can walk back onto the court, course, or starting line without guessing.
Search-ready care
Conditions and sports
Shoulder and rotator cuff painTennis elbow and golfer’s elbowRunner’s kneeIT band syndromePlantar fasciitis and foot painHip pain and tendinitisLow back pain in athletesNeck painSciaticaAnkle sprain
Pickleball
Elbow, shoulder, knee, and plantar pain from extra days on the court.
Golf
Hip, back, and elbow problems that show up on the back nine.
Running and triathlon
Knee, IT band, foot, and hip issues for road, trail, and Storm Triathlon athletes.
Rowing and Dragon Boat
Hip, back, shoulder, and wrist care for youth crew, masters rowing, and dragon boat at Nathan Benderson Park.
High school athletes
Same-week injury care and written return-to-play notes for Venice High, North Port, Riverview, Cardinal Mooney, Sarasota High, and Wellen Park High School. Built for parents, coaches, and athletic trainers.
Cycling
Knee, neck, hip, and low-back care for Legacy Trail, Coastal Cruisers, Gulf Coast Velo, and Wellen Park riders.
Tennis
Elbow, shoulder, wrist, and hip care for Courtside, Plantation, Jacaranda West, Venetian River Club, and IslandWalk players.
Swimming
Shoulder, neck, and hip care for Venice YMCA Hurricanes, Masters, Sarasota Sharks, Tsunami, and North Port Aquatic Center swimmers.
Venice
389 Commercial Court, Suite A, Venice, FL 34292
Closest office to Wellen Park, CoolToday Park, and Venice High School.
Serves Wellen Park, North Port, Nokomis, Venice, South Sarasota County
University Park / UTC
7978 Cooper Creek Blvd, Suite 103, University Park, FL 34201
UTC-area office for Sarasota and Manatee County athletes.
Serves University Park, Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, Bradenton
What patients and colleagues say
“After other chiropractors, physical therapists, and acupuncture, I am finally seeing real improvement. She listens, and the goal is to fix the problem — not make it better for a while.”
“Best healer I have ever come in contact with. I felt heard about the injury and got practical instruction so it would not come back.”
“Specific to the problem. Same standard I would want for an Olympic athlete — you do not have to travel to Colorado Springs.”
Community
The sports chiropractor for Wellen Park
Trails, pickleball, golf, CoolToday Park, and a new high school. Event-medicine credentials from Nathan Benderson Park, applied to the community next door.
Wellen Park careFor athletic trainers
Written return-to-play notes, same-week athlete evaluations, and a doctor who has already been on the sideline.
Refer an athleteIn the News
- Medical Team - Nathan Benderson Park
August 8, 2025 · ABC7 MySuncoast
- Dr Joanne Fava Women Empowering Women Summit
October 2, 2026 · Women Empowering Women Summit
- Dr. Fava speaking at the 2026 FCA National Convention
August 14–15, 2026 · Florida Chiropractic Association
Questions
Do I need a referral?
No. Athletes, parents, and athletic trainers can call or request a visit directly. If you have a physician or AT already involved, we will work with them.
Which office should I use?
Venice (389 Commercial Court) is closest to Wellen Park, North Port, and Venice High. University Park / UTC (Cooper Creek Blvd) is closer to Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota. Call if you are unsure — we will place you by schedule and drive time.
How long is the first visit?
Plan on a full evaluation, not a five-minute adjustment. Wear clothing you can move in. Bring any imaging, AT notes, or a short video of the movement that hurts.
Do you treat non-athletes?
Yes — if the goal is function. Active adults, golfers, pickleball players, and people who want to stay on Wellen Park trails are the core of the practice. This is not a pediatric family wellness mill or a $29 walk-in clinic.
Insurance and Medicare?
The practice has historically accepted Medicare assignment and common plans. Coverage varies. Call 1-941-492-6880 before the first visit so there are no surprises. Cash care plans are discussed after the exam when that is the better fit.
Can athletic trainers refer same week?
That is the point of the high-school pipeline. Use the athletic trainer page or call the office and say it is an in-season athlete.
Do you treat cyclists from local clubs?
Yes. Coastal Cruisers, Gulf Coast Velo, Sarasota Manatee Bicycle Club, Village Idiots, and the Wellen Park Saturday group all ride this corridor. Mention your club, typical weekly miles, and whether the pain started after a fit change or a volume spike.
Do you treat tennis players from local clubs?
Yes. Courtside, Plantation, Jacaranda West, Venetian River Club, IslandWalk, and the public courts at Hecksher. Mention where you play, clay or hard court, and how many days a week. Serve and elbow complaints are the most common first visits.
Do you treat swimmers from local clubs?
Yes. Venice YMCA Hurricanes and Masters, Sarasota Sharks, Tsunami, LRSA Lightning, and North Port Aquatic Center lap swimmers. Mention the team, the stroke that hurts, and whether this is club, high school, or both.
This is Dr. Joanne Fava’s Sarasota-Venice practice, Functional Sports Medicine / FASTAR. We are not affiliated with Functional Sports Medicine in Orlando.
Ready to get back to the sport?
Same-week athlete slots when we can. Book online or call for Venice or University Park.