Road Cycling - Centralized Back Pain

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Tlalocnj
05-27-04, 10:44 AM
Question All,

I have had my bike fitted twice at two different LBS's. One used more of a visual approach on a trainer and the other used a laser fitting system. So after adjusting the saddle height, swapping out the handlebars, and putting a insert in my left cycling shoe I'm still getting this very focused pain in my right scapula (not sure if I spelled that right). This seems to start at about 25 to 30 miles and continues to get worse as I ride. This pain seems to be caused when I put put pressure on my right hand. Currently I am trying a chiropractor, but I am sceptical; I will give a couple weeks to see if there is some improvement. I have spoken to friends of mine that cycle and none of them get the pain I describe. I am wondering if anyone here has had a similar type of pain and what have they done to address it.

Thanks in advance,

Scott

sorebutt
05-27-04, 11:44 AM
Scott,

How about using this body map (http://www.exrx.net/Lists/MMale.html) to describe where the pain is.. (just click your mouse on the area of the back you feel pain in, and it will take you to the muscle group associated with that area)

Many of those types of pain can get better by an strengthening exercise and stretching..
TCR
05-27-04, 02:18 PM
Question All,

I have had my bike fitted twice at two different LBS's. One used more of a visual approach on a trainer and the other used a laser fitting system. So after adjusting the saddle height, swapping out the handlebars, and putting a insert in my left cycling shoe I'm still getting this very focused pain in my right scapula (not sure if I spelled that right). This seems to start at about 25 to 30 miles and continues to get worse as I ride. This pain seems to be caused when I put put pressure on my right hand. Currently I am trying a chiropractor, but I am sceptical; I will give a couple weeks to see if there is some improvement. I have spoken to friends of mine that cycle and none of them get the pain I describe. I am wondering if anyone here has had a similar type of pain and what have they done to address it.

Thanks in advance,

Scott


From what you wrote it sounds very similar to a pain in which I've had to endure for the past couple years while riding. Mine is in my upper back, right side, almost into the neck muscles. It gets worse the longer I ride and eventually will turn into a deep burning feeling. I've had it get so bad during a ride I was unable to look left or right or lift my right arm up to massage the area. I believe it's simply an overused, or overstressed, or over fatigued muscle. As to why, I'm not sure. I used to have a 6" difference between saddle height and bar height but now I have a 1" difference. This change has lessened the severity but not completely cured it. It could also be due to one arm being slightly longer than the other arm. I've read where some riders have been fitted with the hoods setup at slighlty differnent places to comensate for this. Haven't tried this yet. I would think stretching the affected muscles, accompanied by strengthening the muscles, would be the best bet. But again, I haven't really tried this yet either. I usually just ride with the pain if/when it appears anymore. A chiropractor or physical therapist should help with specific exercises for stretching and strengthening the area. If you find a specific cure of some sort that really helps please let me know.