Back Pain

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Back Pain (Introduction)

Cyclists often experience low backache that makes riding uncomfortable—pain that forces the rider to slow down or get off the bike.

See a doctor whenever back pain is associated with loss of sensation or power in your legs.

Causes

Back Strain

Acute low back pain can follow strain or overuse. The pain may travel to the buttock or thigh, but if nerves are not involved, it does not travel below the knee. It is usually due to:

●   Muscle strain and/or spasm.

●   Arthritis—usually wear-and-tear/degenerative arthritis, or osteoarthritis. Strain on the vertebral joints from misalignment, often secondary to disc degeneration, also causes pain.

●   A bulge or herniation of an intervertebral disc. This is discussed more under Nerve Compression below.

Website and materials copyright Arnie Baker, MD, 1989-2012 http://arniebakercycling.com/ http://arniebakercycling.info/