Lower back/hip pain

keith-a

I've seen a few of these threads, but would like some advice on my next step, if you would.

I've suffered from an aching pain right at the base of my spine for a long time now, last year I went to a physio through my work's AXA plan, and he gave me some stretches and said it was mainly down to bad posture. That was with a view to getting back to playing regular football, but I've sacked that now, as all I want to do is ride.

The distance varies before it starts playing up, but it completely destroys my power output. I want to train hard and lose weight, but it's so dispiriting when my back gives up before my legs or lungs. I'm no great climber, but it's heartbreaking when I toil up 5 minutes behind people, who probably think I'm just making excuses.

When pain builds up at my desk, I've noticed I can alleviate it completely my stretching my ass - like a hamstring stretch, but physically pushing my head down to stretch my glutes. That works, but it doesn't feel healthy... It certainly works better than the old arched back stretch from the physio, though this is my last resort when out riding, usually against a farmers gate, probably to the hilarity of passing motorists.

I want to nail this problem - I wonder if my bike may be slightly too short, which is tucking my butt in beneath me (6' tall, 565mm TT)

So - what should my next step be? One of my local bike shops now does Specialized bike fits, which might help. Or should a physio or chiropracter be my next stop? Would either of them be able to work with me on the bike?

Apologies for the long post, which has probably been covered before, but I'm getting to the end of my tether - all I want to do is ride my bike.

As a post-script, the problem was non-existent on my mountain bike last weekend, but did seize up a bit afterwards, which leads me to the bike fit...

marcthehammer

Hi.Ive had trouble with my back for about 3 or 4 years now.My Doc recomended cycling.I do a few stretches in the morning and evenings but werent really much help.But since ive been riding to work 3 days a week (22 miles a day) my back has been much better and im almost pain free!!

T.C.

i have posted on this subject before, i probably had a similar problem to you, i eventually insisted to my gp that i wanted to see a specialist physio, that was feb i was riding 3
0 mins approx , she looked at me from behind told me to bend over and said it was my glutes, i am now doing 4-5 hour rides , i stop every 90 mins to stretch , , sometimes i think it's getting worse , but then i'ts better , to be honest i think im just managing it ,i am planning on joining pilates class soon, i use a cushion to sit in the car and on the computer must have !, i did think of going for a bike fit check but im ok at the moment , i stretch at least once a day and twice if cycling , go and see a specialist physio that's my advice

Yeti575

I had exactly the same problem, funnily enough I swapped from a 54cm frame to a 56cm frame and it seems to have disappeared. I'm hoping to go to Hewitts up in Leyland to have a 'bike fit'.Makes sense considering the time I should be spending on it.

Captain Fagor

Hi Keith

I'm not medically trained, but have also suffered with a bad back when starting up cycling again. My problems were partly due to lack of stretching, so I would suggest that you buy a good stretching book and lean how to stretch properly.

Also, in my experience, osteopaths are a better option that chiropracters. The latter are good at manipulating spines and emptying wallets. Osteopaths seem to address the source of musculo-skeletal problems, rather than repeatedly manipulating spinal joints and hoping the body will cure itself! Check wikipedia about the origins and thinking behind each discipline and make your mind up.

Good luck in finding a solution. With a little personal research and perseverance, your solution is waiting to be found!

ut_och_cykla

Bike fit may be a problem, but you have trouble at work too which suggests a 'bigger' problem. I used to have lover back pain - where I imagined teh small back muscles tied into my upperpelvis. This would trouble me sitting , cycling adn most of all standing. I have fixed it by stretching (sort of somewhat rude hip thrusts lying on floor :shock: ) adn weight training my back and legs to a more stable 'package' -
but this was all 'self help. I'd advise a physio/specialist first!
( I also have a theory that cycling back pain is linked in part at least to having weak leg musculature - when you're tired you start to recruit more back muscles in a 'sloppy' sort of way - causing discomfort. Tho' naturally bike fit is important too.

Bottom line - get professional help and a diagnosis that seems to tie in with what you experience... then fix it - it might take time tho' - be patient.

drewfromrisca

keith-a, I've had a similar problem to you also, it took me months of seeing different doctors, x-ray's and mri scans to be diagnosed with degenerative discs. My l4/l5 has worn away to an angle and I think my s1 is now crumbling bad. Specialist said it shouldn't happen to a 29 year old but it has and now I have to go to pain specialist for cortisone injections.

I spent 2 weeks at a rehab centre through work and I did a lot of spinal immobilisation classes and pilates classes twice sometimes three times a day. I also had physio everyday. It helped a lot and pain wasn't as bad but as soon as I got home it went back to normal as 1-I can't afford daily physio/pilates classes 2-my day is busy enough already without trying to fit in an hour of spinal immobilisation exercises and pilates. I'm trying to stretch a bit more and fit in some basic pilates but I find if you don't do it regimently daily then it's pointless so try get into a pattern of doing it as often as you can.

I understand how you feel about being frustrated, I ride less than what I used to at the moment as I'm waiting for my injection plus I've had to give up football and a lot of other sports as I just can't take the pain.

I would push your doctor to investigate it as much as possible to try and get all possibilities out of the way. I agree with previous comments about chiro's, I've spent close to 500 quid on them with no help at all. I've not been to an osteo as at the moment I can't afford it and the specialist said it probably wouldn't help.

Hope this helps.