Tips to Help Prevent Pain While Bicycling
Avid bicyclists spend a lot of time on their bikes, which can cause injuries and/or pain. In addition to a good bike fitting at your local bike shop, Jeff Steinberger, PT at Prairie Rehabilitation offers these exercise ideas and treatment tips. Jeff practices at our Sioux Falls Cliff Avenue clinic when he is not riding.
1. Stretch and be flexible. Many muscle groups tend to tighten with long bike rides. Your hips, hamstrings and heel cords are most at risk. Some simple exercises can help to keep the muscles long and add leg strengthening as well. To stretch your hips, try the following:
For strengthening your quad muscles on the front of your thighs and to stretch heel cords, try this dynamic duo:
2. Get strong! Core strength of your hips, pelvic floor, back and abdomen combine to protect your spine. A proper plank exercise works most of these muscles. Do not arch up or sag down. Stay straight.
3. Be in balance with your movement. Your body is meant to move and if you move in balance, it functions best. If one side is injured and you favor it for a long time, your body adapts. Eventually that becomes your new normal, which creates additional wear and tear in your body. Again, a good bike fitting is important.
If you do develop some knee pain, Jeff has shown many this basic kinesiotaping which may save the day:
If these tips do not help, an evaluation by your physical therapist may be just the ticket you need to resolve your pain. To schedule an appointment or get more information, please call our main office at 605-334-5630. We would be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
A full list of our outpatient clinic locations can be found here.
About Prairie Rehabilitation
At Prairie Rehabilitation our Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Hand Therapy and Speech Therapy experts are passionate about helping our patients reclaim their way of life and function. It’s about you; you are unique with distinct qualities, abilities, and needs. At Prairie Rehabilitation we embrace the philosophy of “Patient First” care; treating each individual with precise and personalized care. To achieve the best results and to speed your recovery, we are committed to utilizing the most clinically proven and current concepts in rehabilitation.
About the Private Practice Section of the APTA
Founded in 1956, the Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association champions the success of physical therapist-owned businesses. Our members are leaders and innovators in the health care system. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) represents more than 85,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and students of physical therapy nationwide. For more information, please visit www.ppsapta.org.