For many years, neck pain had become such a normal part of riding for a bicycling buddy of mine that he had come to expect it — just like getting thirsty on a hot day or getting out of breath on a long climb.
He's not alone. Neck and back pain is a common ailment for cyclists, according to an excellent article in Roadcycling.com. The authors explain in detail the causes of neck and back pain, and give some suggestions on how to treat it. Among the suggestions — stretching, strengthening, posture on the bicycle and proper bike fit.
Too bad my friend didn't have this article 15 years ago when he started complaining about that aching stiffness that crept into his neck and shoulders during a ride. The authors point out that the overuse injury often grows with intensity over time until it requires some type of medical treatment.
That's what happened to my friend. At first his neck just hurt during a ride, then it lasted a couple of hours after a ride, then all the time toward the end of a week-long bicycle tour, then just plain all the time. The aspirin and constant bike adjustments did little to help. I remember suggesting a neck strengthening-stretching exercise that I'd found in a bike magazine that might have done more harm than good.
I moved, but we kept in touch. One day he called me from home. He was flat on the couch and said he hadn't been able to turn his head to drive for two days. Finally, he visited the doctor. The neck pain and inflammation stemmed from riding the bike, but was magnified by a touch of arthritis in his neck bones.
After the drugs wore off, he started a physical therapy regimen and treatment at a pain clinic where doctors injected inflammation reducers into his neck. Not completely satisfied with the results, he eventually turned to regular acupuncture treatments, which he says has turned out to be the most effective.
Of course, he never stopped his regular riding during most of this; he just suffered and eventually was incapacitated for a time.
Here are some more suggestions to alleviate neck pain from bicycling, but remember you might have something else going on, like arthritis, that might require more attention.
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