Is Cycling Causing You Stiffness?

backexperts.co.uk

This beautiful weather is a compelling motivator to get out on those bikes, enjoy the sun and the fresh air on your face. And as much as you would like to leave everything behind and stop the proverbial wheels from turning we are going to give you a few things to think about while you are on the road...
1. Lean from the hips
2. Keep you back straight
3. Don’t lock your elbows 

Only three small tips but they can make the world of difference not only in your posture but also in your performance level. By creating an angle from your thighs to your torso, with a fairly straight back you reduce the stress put on the muscles of your mid back. In addition, this stops the arch that occurs in your upper back which then places your neck into overextension and forces you to look up.

The consequences of poor cycling posture result in upper back and neck discomfort which if left untreated or unchanged can lead tocervical facet joint irritation, rolled shoulders and trigger points in the back. 

Prevention is always the first step so modifying your position on the bike and taking care to stretch and strengthen those muscles is the ultimate solution. If however symptoms of neck and back problems; pain, stiffness, numbness or tingling, are al-ready bothering you then you might look at having them treated to bring you back to a strong and pain free body. Once corrected you can work to maintain that level.