I've been to the docs and physiotherapists and had x-rays on my back because of the pain I've been getting the last couple of months.

The bad news is I have scloriosis, probably for a long time, the impact of which has been worsened because of my lop-sided gait while recovering from knee surgery after a fall in January.

The good news is I can limit the pain and effects of this by working on my core strength and starting an exercise regime that specifically incudes DAILY CYCLING

Now there's no excuse for me moan about lack of riding, even though the winter months mean that much of it will have to be indoors or the gym.

Yep, I put on 60,000 miles with scoliosis.

FWIW, I have a fractured sacum (from a cycling accident) held together with metal hardware, and other than lying down, prolonged cycling is more comfortable than prolonged sitting or walking. Prolonged and frequent cycling actually makes those other activities more comfortable.

Many years ago I had similar results from a case of sciatica that lasted a couple years, and eventually disappeared.

That's heartening news. It was the sciatica that caused me to go to the doc in the first place.

The sciatica can make me feel grumpy sometimes without pain.

I have learned to lay on the floor and use part of a swimming pool noodle to place under the spine in thr Sore areas.

The type with the hole in the center works best.

You can also use a rolled up hand towel.

Along with other core exercises, I do daily 120 second planks - in my case with my butt raised a bit. I also do my pushups (about 50 at a time, now) with my butt a bit raised - at the direction of my PT. Raised because my very lower back is not in great shape, and I have had a L4-L5 fusion, and raising relieves the lower back pressure that can happen.

TRX is highly oriented towards core strength development, and, as it uses your body weight at an angle, one can easily adjust the effort by moving the feet in and out as desired. Simply two straps and a bar or door, and there are amazing things one can do. I use a DVD to which I exercise. My PT says I should not do the lower body exercises. You can buy a knock-off for about $40.00 (that's what I did - search "suspension training"). If you do, buy the more expensive knock-off. My back, amazingly, has improved. I especially notice more feeling in my feet and less tingling. I also do a lot of PT directed stretching. (All of the above at the approval/direction of my PT).

Yeah, but will your health insurance pay for a new bike?

Yeah I love cycling... after my accident in April, I still can't walk properly; right leg messed up and left hip because of it; but I can ride without a problem!!!! Of course it took 5 months for the doctor to allow riding again (I asked every time I went in "Can I ride now?" Answer "NO!") but getting back on the bike is heavenly! Of course there are some limitations ( way out of shape and can't clip in on the right plus have to be careful where I ride).

There ya go.

Sometimes, it seems like we're a house of cards. Something goes wrong that sets off your balance, and pretty soon, you've got back trouble. I had the same thing after an achilles tendon repair years ago.

But the cycling is the good news ... I'll bet that fixes you up nicely!

My wife has always told me I'm unbalanced! I hope she's referring to the effects of the achilles tendon, knee ligaments, rotator cuff tendon and quadriceps tendon I've torn in recent years.

Luckily none of them have affected riding in the long term, but I don't think I'll be entering solo in the Silver State 508 next year.
Looking forward to reading your write-up on this year's ride.

Hiking has been another wonderful source of therapy for me. The bike seems best for my back issues, hiking for leg issues.

It's funny how cycling in some ways is immune from some of the body's ailments. I put my back out this summer, lifting who knows what - a glass of lemonade for all I know. Walking, or getting up from a chair was excruciating. Trying to lift my leg over the bike, excruciating. But once I was on the bike pedaling - everything felt great. Stopping to get off ... wished I'd kept riding.

All's good now. Stretching and core strengthening was the doc's recommendation.

Hear hear. I have an old, recurring knee issue that involves some floating cartilage working its way into uncomfortable places. When it recurs, the only cure is to ride as many miles as I can. If I don't ride, I can't walk.

Of course stretching and core strengthening are always important. Each time I get lazy and neglect to keep at those I am rudely reminded by my back that I really should eat my vegetables, so to speak.

Stretching for Cyclists

I've been doing most of these, even before I started cycling in April. I do a combination of stretches I learned in Taekwando and Yoga.

GH