Exercise is essential for musculoskeletal health, and cycling is a great way to strengthen your leg muscles without jostling your spine. Stationary bikes allow people to remain active even in bad weather or if they have difficulty leaving the home, and we at Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield encourage everybody to find a way they enjoy staying active. However, cyclists also suffer high rates of lower back pain. This problem is treatable and preventable, but we want our patients to understand what’s going on when they devise their exercise routines.
As with any sport, cyclists need well-fitted, functional equipment. People who inherit old bicycles or don’t properly adjust new ones often need to stretch too far forward to reach the handlebars. This would strain the lower back muscles and require a person to maintain the same posture as long as they ride, and it’s never good for people to have to maintain the same position for an extended period.
Getting a bicycle properly fitted is essential, but not sufficient for preventing back pain. We often emphasize the need for a strong core, and it’s true of cyclists, as well. When a cyclist gets tired, the hip muscles supporting their lumbar spine weaken, allowing its joints to wear by swaying side-to-side. Some simple core exercises include bird-dogging and planking, but people already experiencing lower back pain should consult with us to determine what is safe. We can also relieve their pain through massage therapy and electric muscle stimulation, which will reduce inflammation, and by adjusting their lumbar vertebrae to their proper position.
Kosak Chiropractic is located at 1252 Travis Blvd., Suite G, Fairfield, CA, 94533. To schedule an appointment, visit Kosak Chiropractic online or call 707-426-1111.
No comments:
Post a Comment