Featuring Dr. Larissa Roux, MD, MPH, PhD, CCFP, Dip Sport Med

Duration: 1 minute, 29 seconds

Much like typical lower back pain, a rider will present with low back pain probably confounded by a lot of muscle spasm locally in the area, and if sort of left untreated this can go on to degenerative changes which will result in chronic pain.

It is important for a rider to seek medical attention when they're experiencing acute low back pain for pain management, as well as for a plan as to how to optimize training.

Additionally, a visit to the physiotherapist to come up with range of motion exercises and strengthening exercises for the lower back and core abdominal muscles is important.

Considerations in the treatment of lower back pain in cycling would include making corrections to your posture, having your bike setup assessed, as well as considering your training load and how to increase your training load gradually. Lastly, just an adjunct: there are flexible elastic back braces out there that may be beneficial during the recovery phase.

If you have further questions about low back pain in cycling please don't hesitate to contact your general practitioner or a local sports medicine physician.

Presenter: Dr. Larissa Roux, Sports Medicine Physician, Vancouver, BC

Local Practitioners: Sports Medicine Physician