Have you heard that Roanoke, Virginia is hosting the 2013 Bike Virginia Tour? The annual six-day tour, scheduled for June 24-26, 2013, showcases Virginia’s best cycling routines. The event is expected to attract 1,600 cyclists from around the world to the Roanoke area.
The second leg of the tour is based in Botetourt County’s Greenfield Recreation Park, where cyclists can camp, swap stories, and experience the region’s heralded outdoor culture, in between scenic Virginia rides.
In the spirit of the 2013 Bike Virginia Tour, Virginia Spine Care suggests a few ways to avoid lower back pain while cycling:
Many recreational cyclists ride bikes that are too big for them. Many cyclists also lack proper flexibility and/or the necessary core strength for extensive exertion. Have your bike fitted to your body and practice core exercises. Back pain can also arise from anatomical causes, such as leg length discrepancy or misalignment of your spine.
Cyclists are consistently hunched forward while riding. Poor spinal health is common in young cyclists, including bad posture and injury. If you favor one side of your body to the other, due to injury or poor posture, your back eventually experiences strain. An imbalance in the spine will cause overuse of the lower back.
Lack of flexibility, such as excessive hamstring tightness, also contributes to lower back pain. Leg length discrepancies are common. In fact, the average person has a leg length discrepancies of three to six millimeters, which requires suggested corrective methods. Visit a reputable medical source, such as Virginia Spine Care, with experience in leg length discrepancies. It is easy to over-correct and risk knee pain or injury.
Finally, certain riding styles can cause lower back pain. Cyclists that push big gears, especially while climbing, may experience lower back pain. The angle of your back in relation to the bike can increase or decrease the strain on your back.
We can’t emphasize enough the importance of core strength in relation to lower back health. Back rehabilitation programs include exercises that improve core strength. Core strength is not just your abdominal and back muscles that you can touch or see. It involves hundreds of muscles working together to give you core stability. Pilates and certain types of yoga are recommended for better core strength.
For better lower back health, try to bike fit, build core muscle stability, and correct your riding style. Contact Virginia Spine Care for help with your spine conditions.
Dr. Leipzig is a board-certified, Salem, Virginia spine surgeon with over two decades of experience. He specializes in procedures including robotic spine surgery, microsurgical lumbar surgery, disc arthroplasty, minimally invasive spine surgery, and more, serving the greater Roanoke, VA area. To learn more or schedule an appointment, please contact our office.
