Living with Cervical Spondylosis a pain in the NECK?

Rulebritania

Hello

As your aware I'm new to this but really enjoy getting out however I do suffer from Cervical Spondylosis, does anyone else have this condition and if so how do you cope with it whilst cycling? I have recently got a Handlebar raiser fitted which lifts my body so that I'm not putting as much stress on bending the neck. In the winter the cold gets in and then comes the pain.

Any thoughts or suggestions welcome.

Bobbinogs

For some reason, I thought this was about some lady problems but it turns out that it is neck related: "Cervical spondylosis is a disorder in which there is abnormal wear on the cartilage and bones of the neck (cervical vertebrae). It is a common cause of chronic neck pain."

If you find the cold getting in then I recommend a buff. They are very versatile and can easily be taken off when over heating or adjusted when too cold.

Rulebritania

The normal scarf(s) will cover the area easily, the idea is that it covers the area and keeps it warm without overheating the rest of me. It needs to isolate the 3rd to 7th vertebrae and keep them from wind chill and the cold.

andi1363

yes have this too. Its well controlled at present but when it flares up, I get arm pain(referred) and numb fingers. This is helped by stretching my head back as if trying to make deliberate double chins. I don't expect this stretching will be effective forever but I have had a good 10 years worth out of it so far without needing anything else.

andi1363

BTW my road bikes have normal arse up head down positions.

jezzpalmer

I have spondylosis with similar symptoms to andi, pain in arm & shoulder and numbness, though I had a discectomy & fusion (c4/c5 IIRC) 4 years ago which cured the numb/cold thumb & index finger.
After 4-5 years of misery, painkillers (decent ones, twice daily), physio, osteo all of which seemed to not achieve much, I started cycling regularly around a year ago; and now I rarely take painkillers or wake up thinking instantly about pain, which is refreshing.
It's a bit counter intuitive really as road cycling, you'd have thought, would be the antagonistic; it wasn't easy initially but then arguably even people with healthy spines have a hard time with their shoulders until they relax and get used to it.
If I don't cycle for a while, then I tend to have a relapse.

tiredofwhiners

Has the OP actually been diagnosed by a doctor or is it a case of bad neck ache plus Google doing the diagnosis ?

I just ask as I have had very bad neck ache after most rides in the past but rarely get it these days because I warm down properly and don't use a computer for half a day after a ride.

Just asking !

Rulebritania

tiredofwhiners wrote:

Has the OP actually been diagnosed by a doctor or is it a case of bad neck ache plus Google doing the diagnosis ?

I just ask as I have had very bad neck ache after most rides in the past but rarely get it these days because I warm down properly and don't use a computer for half a day after a ride.

Just asking !

I won't take offence by the Google quote but

Oh yes. First by army Dr. In the 90's. Then in civvi street during a medical with the war pensions agency as was. I have lived with and managing it for years. This is me asking for advice as a new road cyclist from those who have the condition and also MANAGE.

Rulebritania

jezzpalmer wrote:

I have spondylosis with similar symptoms to andi, pain in arm & shoulder and numbness, though I had a discectomy & fusion (c4/c5 IIRC) 4 years ago which cured the numb/cold thumb & index finger.
After 4-5 years of misery, painkillers (decent ones, twice daily), physio, osteo all of which seemed to not achieve much, I started cycling regularly around a year ago; and now I rarely take painkillers or wake up thinking instantly about pain, which is refreshing.
It's a bit counter intuitive really as road cycling, you'd have thought, would be the antagonistic; it wasn't easy initially but then arguably even people with healthy spines have a hard time with their shoulders until they relax and get used to it.
If I don't cycle for a while, then I tend to have a relapse.

Cheers, hopefully I will eventually work it out. I am looking for worm up exercises to do, I take pain killers anyway as my previous career whilst I'm proud to have done it has taken its toll on my body. I took up cycling as its non-impact on the feet and knees. Sods law its impacting here. :roll:
My next thing is to move my saddle fwd which will raise me further and like you say learning to relax the upper body.
I started cycling in Sept 12 and have completed over 400 miles on 30+ rides. Initially I ached in various places now its just the neck and the onset is about 16 miles into my ride (half way as I try do 30+.