Cycling is an excellent way to exercise—not to mention, it’s easy on the joints. Yet, despite this, cycling injuries can still happen. So, if you’re in pain post-cycling session, this article is for you!
Below, we take a look at the most common cycling injuries. What should you watch out for? And most importantly, how can you bounce back?
What is the Most Common Cycling Injury?
Undeniably, pain is no fun. It can leave you feeling frustrated and unable to perform your day-to-day activities. So, why might you feel pain after cycling? Let’s take a look.
1. Knee Pain
Many sports and exercises place a lot of stress on the knees—and cycling is no exception. You might notice pain and discomfort while you cycle or after your cycling session, and you might also suffer from inflammation and swelling.
Knee pain is frequently due to overuse or tightness of the muscles controlling the knee joint. It can also be caused by twisting or wrenching your knee. For example, if your feet aren’t positioned properly on the pedals, this can cause you to twist your knee, ankles, and leg muscles incorrectly, leading to pain. Even if your foot position doesn’t immediately cause discomfort, the stress may accumulate, causing pain further on down the road.
2. Neck Pain
Neck pain is another common cycling injury that you might not have considered. This usually happens from maintaining the same position for a long duration. In turn, this may lead to the neck muscles becoming tight and sore.
Additionally, if your handlebars aren’t positioned correctly, such as being too low, the neck may come under varying degrees of strain.
3. Lower Back Pain
Pain in the back, especially the lower back, is often connected to neck pain and is caused by hunching over your bicycle for a long period. This causes the muscles in your back to cramp and tighten. Hamstring tightness is one of the most common causes of back pain in cyclists. You may even pull muscles while in this position.
In fact, most cycling injuries tend to occur from overuse, such as doing too much too soon. This is why it’s always recommended to ease into any new form of exercise and gradually increase your frequency, intensity, resistance, or duration.
How Physio Can Help
After reading the above, maybe you’ve established that you have a common cycling injury. So, now what?
If you want to get back to your regular activities (and cycling!), visiting a physiotherapist can ensure you do so safely and effectively without risking future harm. While it’s natural to feel some discomfort and soreness after a period of heavy exercise, it’s crucial to know your limits, as well as what’s normal for your body.
A good physio (particularly one who specialises in treating cyclists and cycling injuries) can work with you on your cycling form and your weak areas, as well as treat any current injuries. They can give you advice on how to minimise stress on your body and how to avoid future pain. That way, you can get the most out of each cycle session without fear of injury holding you back.
We are pleased to announce that we have started Pilates in the clinic gym and have had a new physiotherapist join our team who is an elite Masters cyclist.
Regularly visiting a good physiotherapist, even before you get injured, can prevent injuries from developing in the first place. If you’re looking for an experienced and professional physiotherapist, our team at Turramurra Sports & Spinal Physiotherapy is ready to help. Contact us today to schedule your appointment online from the link or call (02) 9144 1510.
Let’s get you back on your bike!
