Biking & back injuries
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Valley Forge PA
Posts: 19
Bikes: Schwinn Hybrid, Schwinn Searcher
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Biking & back injuries
This summer I wanted to get serious about biking. I wanted to commute by bike to my job (12 miles on a paved bike trail). I actually did the commute twice. I was trying to do rides of 6 miles or so to get in shape, and I put 'road tires' (700x32) on my Schwinn. Well, installing those tires was probably the last straw for my chronically bad back. Two days later my back went into an agonizing spasm and for the next 2 days I was practically crippled. At least I think that biking must have been the extra stressor on my back. It's a week later, the weather's beautiful, and I'm not on my bike. . In fact I'm even afraid to get on it anymore because I can feel the pull when I press the pedal.
Is biking bad for your back, and if so, do I have any hope of ever biking again? ps. I'm generally in good health for being 57 years old.
Is biking bad for your back, and if so, do I have any hope of ever biking again? ps. I'm generally in good health for being 57 years old.
#2
Banned.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 20,917
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
10 Posts
This summer I wanted to get serious about biking. I wanted to commute by bike to my job (12 miles on a paved bike trail). I actually did the commute twice. I was trying to do rides of 6 miles or so to get in shape, and I put 'road tires' (700x32) on my Schwinn. Well, installing those tires was probably the last straw for my chronically bad back. Two days later my back went into an agonizing spasm and for the next 2 days I was practically crippled. At least I think that biking must have been the extra stressor on my back. It's a week later, the weather's beautiful, and I'm not on my bike. . In fact I'm even afraid to get on it anymore because I can feel the pull when I press the pedal.
Is biking bad for your back, and if so, do I have any hope of ever biking again? ps. I'm generally in good health for being 57 years old.
Is biking bad for your back, and if so, do I have any hope of ever biking again? ps. I'm generally in good health for being 57 years old.
https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plus-50/453214-guys-lower-back-pain-how-do-you-ride.html
#3
Violin guitar mandolin
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Friendsville, TN, USA
Posts: 1,171
Bikes: Wilier Thor, Fuji Professional, LeMond Wayzata
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Chiropractic, deep fascia work, lots of core strengthening. That really got me back to road cycling. Now, as others have reported, cycling makes my back feel better rather than worse.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Out there, on my bike
Posts: 5,421
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
+1. Eliminate serious issues, like broken vertabrae or squished disks. Then get yourself working on your core strength and flexibility. I have found Pilates to be a back (and hip) saver after several years of worsening pain. You might also consider that your bike may not fit you properly. A properly fitted bike will do wonders, too.
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Valley Forge PA
Posts: 19
Bikes: Schwinn Hybrid, Schwinn Searcher
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I looked at the other back pain thread. I have back pain when reaching too far & bending. I simply can't believe the best position to ride is bent over with drop handlebars. Nope. I'll ride upright where I can see where I'm going or not at all. PS. The drop-handlebar folks don't mention anything about neck pain from that unnatural bent-over position. Or do they have eyes on top of their heads??
#6
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,222
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1350 Post(s)
Liked 1,245 Times
in
623 Posts
6,700 miles on a road bike has strengthened my back. The Two bad disc's have quit hurting.
Riding in the drops is making me stronger. Works my mid section.
Riding in the drops is making me stronger. Works my mid section.
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#7
stringbreaker
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: wa. State
Posts: 4,463
Bikes: specialized crossroads hybrid 2006 Raleigh Cadent 2 1971 Schwinn Varsity, 1972 Schwinn Continental, 1977 Schwinn Volare (frame)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I looked at the other back pain thread. I have back pain when reaching too far & bending. I simply can't believe the best position to ride is bent over with drop handlebars. Nope. I'll ride upright where I can see where I'm going or not at all. PS. The drop-handlebar folks don't mention anything about neck pain from that unnatural bent-over position. Or do they have eyes on top of their heads??
__________________
(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
#8
Senior Member ??
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Englewood,Ohio
Posts: 5,098
Bikes: 2007 Trek Madone 5.0 WSD - 2007 Trek 4300 WSD - 2008 Trek 520 - 2014 Catrike Trail
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I looked at the other back pain thread. I have back pain when reaching too far & bending. I simply can't believe the best position to ride is bent over with drop handlebars. Nope. I'll ride upright where I can see where I'm going or not at all. PS. The drop-handlebar folks don't mention anything about neck pain from that unnatural bent-over position. Or do they have eyes on top of their heads??
I just finished a 350 mile tour on a Trek 520 touring bike with drop handlebars. I'm 65 and have 3 discs in my lower back with different degrees of injury. I simply do some stretching of the back before and after I ride. Sitting at my computer working causes more discomfort than riding the road bike.
Edit: I forgot to add that the neck doesn't cause me any problems either. I've had arthritis in the neck and shoulders for 20+ years. With exercise it's not a problem holding the neck in a slightly upward position while riding.
__________________
=============================================================
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
-- Antonio Smith
=============================================================
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
-- Antonio Smith
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, USA
Posts: 1,737
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I looked at the other back pain thread. I have back pain when reaching too far & bending. I simply can't believe the best position to ride is bent over with drop handlebars. Nope. I'll ride upright where I can see where I'm going or not at all. PS. The drop-handlebar folks don't mention anything about neck pain from that unnatural bent-over position. Or do they have eyes on top of their heads??
With all of this said, it sounds as if you've already made up you mind about what you'll do and won't do. I hope your approach works out. Riding in an upright position has its liabilities too. For example, an upright position can be very painful for those with spinal problems such as a slipped disc or pinched nerves. The bumping and jarring that occurs when in that position can be very painful. Finally, as others have said, a proper fit is imperative for the serious cyclist.
#10
Banned.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 20,917
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
10 Posts
Most of us ride in the "drops" less than 10% of the time. Downhill if you want to go faster, and in the wind.
Some folks ride with visors, which can aggravate the neck problem. You don't stretch your neck back, you tuck your chin in.
BUt, whatever works for you to have an enjoyable ride. That's what it is all about, and why there are so many different bicycle styles.
Have fun.
Some folks ride with visors, which can aggravate the neck problem. You don't stretch your neck back, you tuck your chin in.
BUt, whatever works for you to have an enjoyable ride. That's what it is all about, and why there are so many different bicycle styles.
Have fun.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 559
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a bad back problems, my doctor has suggested an operation but I am not ready for it. Anyway my friend suggested using a mustache bar. It has worked wonders for me. I ordered mine from Nashbar. The bars are a lot more comfortable than the drop bars
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: South Surrey, B.C
Posts: 102
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro,Easy Racer Gold Rush, Norco
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I suffer from a bad back and a very sensitive neck. Five years ago I was told by a physiotherapist I would never be able to ride a DF bike again. I switched to recumbents. It took a bit riding different recumbents to find one my body liked. I rode and toured with that used Gold Rush for 2 years. No back or neck problems. My LBS which is owned by a former bike racer said he could fix a DF so I would ride without pain. I have two DF bikes set up by him. Both have extended stems, straight handle bars and suspension seat posts. With this setup I sit straighter. My back and neck love the setup. There is a little back pain for a day when I switch from one bike to the other, however 3 strong muscle and back pain pills look after that. I just finished a 10 day rail to trail ride and never had an uncomfortable moment.
My key to agony free is to have a professional set up the entire bike including seat and stem height
My key to agony free is to have a professional set up the entire bike including seat and stem height
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,268
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 118 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 50 Times
in
25 Posts
You need to talk to your doctor about biking and your partilcular back problems. Also, consider a LWB recumbent. The upright seating position and lumbar support built into some of the seats may be a big help. These bikes are made for us older folks.
One thing that virtually eliminated my chronic low back problems is a rowing machine. Using it has toned up my core muscles and, wow, what a difference. Discuss this with your doctor before using one. bk
One thing that virtually eliminated my chronic low back problems is a rowing machine. Using it has toned up my core muscles and, wow, what a difference. Discuss this with your doctor before using one. bk