Cycling pain? Even after a bike fit? Consider a bike analysis

As this year’s Tour De France begins in Brittany on 26th June, many people watching the pro riders might be encouraged to get out on their bikes. Especially now that we are enjoying longer, sunnier days - it’s a fantastic way to stay fit and healthy.

At Physio Remedies, we see many cyclists who are carrying an injury. Many serious cyclists endure the pain, just to get out on the bike. And despite having had regular bike fittings, the pain might not go away.

Here we explain how a bike analysis done by a physiotherapist is essential for the successful recovery from cycling pain.

What are the most common cycling injuries?

Of course, the most obvious injuries that can occur in a crash are impact injuries that can result in surface wounds, broken bones, and muscle strains. A physiotherapist can support anyone that has sustained an impact injury on the bike, with exercises to heal and strengthen any damaged muscles.

However, there are some common cycling ‘niggles’ that can easily manifest over time, without an obvious cause. These include:

• Lower back pain

• Knee pain

• Wrist, arm, hand and neck pain

Ensuring that your bike is fitted really well is one of the first steps to stopping pain and preventing injury. An incorrect saddle position, cleat set up and handlebar position can all put unnecessary strain on your body.

However, some people may find that despite a good bike fit, the pain is still returning on every ride. It might even transfer off the bike and become an ‘everyday pain’. That is when you should consider a bike analysis.

How can a bike analysis help?

The main job of the physiotherapist is to correct you - not the bike. Many injuries can be avoided if you move better on the bike. This is the philosophy of physiotherapist and cyclist, Sarah Lawson. Sarah regularly carries out bike assessments for people who suffer from pain when cycling that are often referred to Physio Remedies. From recreational weekend riders to serious club riders and those who want to do the Alpine classics.

“If you have already had a good bike fit, then it raises the question, how does your body move on the bike,” Sarah says.

She explains the bike analysis process:

Biomechanical analysis

After finding out your individual and sports-specific needs, we carry out a biomechanical analysis. We’ll ask you to bring in your own bike, and put this on a turbo trainer. We can also assess videos sent to us of you on your own turbo trainer if that is easier.

Sarah explains: “I ask them to get a partner/friend to film them at the end of a ride when the legs are fatigued - front, back, and side to side. Then it is easier to see how they move.”

Movement on and off the bike

Your muscle balance is checked off the bike. This may involve postural and gait assessment as well as strength tests - the start of the problem might be further up the muscle chain, or stem from another injury that isn’t even bike related.

We also look at you on the bike, to see if the current fit is suitable. Some people have more than one bike, including one for commuting - so we look at both.

Working with your bike fitter

A new bike fit might be the answer to a back niggle, particularly for an amateur cyclist. However, referrals are mainly for cyclists that cover a lot of miles and suffer from reoccurring pain.

“A poor fitting that tries to correct an injury, without taking your movement patterns into consideration, will not solve the problem,” says Sarah.

Physio Remedies works with top London bike fitters Bespoke cycling on Jermyn Street and can refer anyone with a poorly fitted bike to these experts.

Correcting your bike movement

We work with you to correct the movement patterns and weaknesses, so you can achieve your optimum performance. This includes sport-specific exercises to do at home, in the gym, off-road on a turbo, as well as on-road.

“We might tape a shoulder, so the cyclist is more aware of this movement. Or we can put a sponge on a crossbar to make a cyclist aware of an inwardly rotating knee. There are several ways we can help cyclists to alter their movements on the bike,” said Sarah.

Physio Remedies can also recommend strength and conditioning exercises as part of a bespoke rehabilitation plan - which, especially for seasoned cyclists, is one of the best ways to stay injury-free.

If you are interested in having a bike assessment, get in touch today by calling 02030 12 12 22 or use our online booking form at: physioremedies.com/booking.