The number of patients who visit our Stoke chiropractic clinic suffering from cycling related injuries is on the increase. This is not surprising as cycling continues to increase in popularity. However, many of the types of cycling related injuries our chiropractors see are preventable if cyclists followed some basic steps.
While some cyclists present with an injury suffered as a result of an accident, many of the conditions that cyclists present with are as a result of stresses and strains that cycling places on their body.
If you are a cyclist, or are considering taking up cycling, our chiropractors have put together steps that you can take to minimize the risk of injury to your body when cycling. Before getting into the steps let’s look at some common cycling conditions that our chiropractors treat.
Common Cycling Conditions That Our Chiropractors Treat
Pain in the lower back and neck
Many cyclists who visit City Chiropractic Clinic, our clinic in Stoke, do so looking for help for lower back pain or neck pain.
This is not that surprising as cyclists can spend many hours in a fixed bent forward posture while cycling. Spending time in this position can increase the risk of strains and sprains often in the lower back and neck.
Accident-Related Injuries
Treating cycling accident-related injuries related to the back, wrist and collarbone is unfortunately quite common for our chiropractors.
Patella Tendonitis
The patella tendon can tolerate a great deal of force passing through it as it is very strong, however, it can become irritated and inflamed and suffer micro tears at times Cycling hard, over training and poor bike fit can all contribute to these types of conditions.
Achilles Tendon Injuries
Pedalling for long periods of time can cause strain to be put on the Achilles tendon. This can eventually lead to inflammation, micro tears, and tendonitis in the Achilles.
Foot Pain
Foot pain is another common condition cyclists present with. Along with pain common symptoms cyclists experience include numbness and tingling in the feet. Poorly fitting shoes and poor bike fit can contribute to symptoms in the feet.
How To Avoid Common Cycling Injuries
Organise a bike fit
You’ve put in the hours finding the perfect bike but don’t overlook organising a bike fit. Far too many conditions suffered by cycling enthusiasts could be avoided with a good bike fit.
Finding the right bike fit for you will put you in the best ergonomic, comfortable, safe and efficient riding position that will enable you to cycle for longer and reduce the risk of strains and injuries.
Spend time finding your bike seat
Riding for long periods, and sometimes even short periods, on an uncomfortable bike seat is a horrible experience! There is no one-fit fits all bike seat. You’ll need to spend finding the seat that suits you.
You need to find a bike seat that supports you and that you will be comfortable maintaining your cycling posture on those long cycle rides.
Pace yourself
It’s easy to get carried away too quickly with increasing the duration and intensity of your rides. Overexerting yourself can lead to injuries so it’s important to pace your progress and build up your strength and stamina.
Think posture
Your bike fit will have identified a good riding posture for you, but on a ride it’s easy to slip into bad habits. Just like sitting at home, it’s good to check your posture from time to time when cycling and adjust if necessary.
Fit in recovery days
You may find great satisfaction in cycling every day, however, fitting in a recovery day is important for your body, especially if you are increasing the duration and intensity of your rides. Allowing your body time to rest and recover will help minimise strains and injuries.
Plot a safe route
Unfortunately cycling doesn’t come without it’s dangers from badly maintained roads, drivers driving too close to narrow roads to name but a few!. Taking time to plot a route that avoids these types of issues can help minimise the potential for an accident.
Visit a chiropractor
Chiropractors focus on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous systems. and are specialists in assessing and restoring joint function. Therefore, a good chiropractor can assess your musculoskeletal system, identify any weaknesses, and help to improve any weaknesses where possible.
Our Stoke chiropractors at City Chiropractic Clinic are here to help you get the most out of your cycling and stay fit and healthy while doing so.
If you are suffering any pains or discomfort, or want to get a musculoskeletal cycling check, give our clinic a call and book an appointment with one of our team. Call us on 01782 848 184 or you can book an appointment online on our website here.