Bacterozoid

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JLD

No doubt other posters here-who have back problems will recommend switching over to a recumbant style bicycle. Even if you don't do that, perhaps finding an opportunity to test drive one-might help you define whether or not you get a sore back, from this completely different style of cycle. My opinion about the discomfort you get just now, on a conventional bicycle, would still be to examine your seat height-your stretch to the handlebars-the actual seat you are using-the frame size. All these may add up to a tender set of muscles. It would be worth a look at. Of long term damage to your spine you need to get some kind of consult-perhaps with someone in sports medicine- to evaluate your muscle strength-and the ways you now compensate for your small twist-in the trust to help you find a long term plan of managing and preventing harm.

Guest

I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was in grade school... god what a pain in the butt. I have a pretty exaggerated bend in my spine, and from time to time, I have bad back pain.

Cycling alone really doesn't hurt my back- try to work on building up your core with doing ab crunches- lots of different abdominal exercises. Then also do some back strengthening exercises too. If you can get pilates classes in, this is what pilates does for you.

I also have sciatica from time to time, and that is what really makes my back hurt- I can cry like a little girl sometimes. But working with core strengthening and doing lots of stretching helps to minimize pain.

Koffee

Bacterozoid

"Recumbents start at around $350" Any word on that number? That's not the kind of money I can afford to put into a bike with what I make.

I'll consider getting some muscle strengthening going on with my back to hopefully prevent any sort of harm I might be doing to myself...espicially if I really start to experience pain from riding.

Good to hear that someone else with Scoliosis hasn't had problems in...well..however long it's been. Probably longer than I've been dealing, which makes the future look bright for my back and cycling.

Phatman

i've got scoliosis. when I started wrestling, the pain went away, due to the HUGE amount of core strength exercises we did. we did this one drill called "Coach Conolly's 5 minute abs" really. that was what he put on the schedule. it was twenty minutes + of pure pain. It was a combo of leg lifts, crunches, and flutter kicks that would leave you dying. combine that ab work with bridges, and you have core strength unequaled in the high-school world of athletics.

kelly223us

I was treated for Scoliosis while I was in grade school.......Not fun at all, with the surgrey and cast that followed.
Before I started bike riding, I had a lot of back pain, espessialy if I did a lot of lifting. Also a lot of pain if I was just standing around....
Now, I ride my Felt 50 100 miles a week.......There is absoultly no back pain at all...It is amazing what bike riding has done for me. Best of luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Guest

Oh let me say the pain in my back is still there due to my sciatica flare ups, but it's just twinges every now and then... not all the time. If it gets bad, I will stop and stretch. With ab and back exercises, I can keep it to a minimum.

It's unfortunate my parents never bothered treating me for my back problems when I was a kid. I have this funky curve in my spine, and my feet turn funny when I walk, and I had to get my cleats fitted special for my bike riding. I even ride lopsided when I come out of the saddle due to how my feet turn in at different angles. Bleah. :-/

Koffee