28 Jul MSK Pain From Cycling
Cycling is one of the best sports you can do for your well-being. It is good for your brain, your heart, and your overall health. Research by the British Medical Journal has found that cycling regularly can significantly lower the risk of many serious illnesses, such as heart disease.
However, as with all endurance sports you may sometimes experience pain or injury yourself. If not managed properly by a medical professional, these cycling injuries can develop into long-term problems that could slow you down and worse still become a serious condition that could stop you from performing any physical activity.
As osteopaths we encourage our patients to exercise and stay active. We want to keep you cycling outdoors. Manual therapy provided by us can be used to treat any issues that you may experience. We can also provide you with reasons as to why the injury may have occurred, as well as advice on how to prevent them from happening again in the future.
Below are three common musculoskeletal conditions that can be caused by cycling injuries.
1. Neck Pain
Neck pain is one of the most common conditions experienced by cyclists. It is caused by reduced flexibility in the upper back or neck, due to poor posture. The muscles in the upper back and neck can become painful and stiff when held in a static position for longer than they are used to. Gentle neck stretches can be used to relieve pain and loosen up the neck making it more flexible. Neck pain can be treated with osteopathic techniques such as joint mobilisation or massage to ease the tension you are experiencing.
2. Hand pain
Hand pain in cyclists is often characterised by pain in the ring and little finger, along with weakness and a tingling sensation. This can be a result of irritation to the ulnar nerve (found in the underside of the wrist). This irritation can be caused from prolonged holding of the handlebars in one position, as well as restricted mobility of the forearm and wrist. To alleviate this discomfort try to frequently change your grip on the handlebars, which should help to ease the tension. If your symptoms worsen, osteopathy can be used to increase the mobility of your wrist and elbow, and reduce tension placed on the nerve.
3. Hip Pain
It is typical for cyclists to experience pain at the hip that can travel down the thigh towards the kneecaps. The pain can be accompanied by decreased flexibility and inflammation of the bursa found at the front of the hip. This pain, inflammation, and reduced flexibility, can be caused from prolonged sitting, and manifest as tightness of the hip flexor muscles. To prevent this ailment, make sure that your saddle is at the correct height for your stature. Stretching before cycling will help to make the hip muscles more flexible. Osteopathy can be used to relieve tension, ease pain, and improve the overall function of the hip.
Here at OsteoVision our osteopaths can help alleviate your pain through manipulation, massage, and other musculoskeletal techniques designed to improve the mobility and function of the injured area.
Our team of specialists are always available to assist you and offer advice. Please contact us if you would like to discuss your symptoms, have any questions, would like to book an appointment, or require more information about your condition.
Call: 03303 904300
Email: info@osteovision.life
You can also book an appointment online at www.osteovision.life