Does cycling affect the lumbar spine? Cycling is a great way to exercise, but frequent exercise can sometimes lead to injuries. Many people experience lower back pain, so can people with poor lumbar spines still ride bicycles?
Does cycling affect the lumbar spine?
Cycling does not have any impact on the lumbar spine.
Cycling is a non-weight-bearing exercise and it actually has benefits for the lumbar spine. It helps maintain, recover, and strengthen the lumbar spine.
Benefits of cycling for the lumbar spine
Cycling is a non-weight-bearing exercise that other activities do not provide. When other exercises become challenging, cycling is the best choice to maintain lumbar spine function.
Cycling can help relax the mind and facilitate recovery from illness.
Can people with poor lumbar spines ride bicycles?
People with poor lumbar spines can ride bicycles after they have recovered.
Appropriate cycling can alleviate symptoms of lumbar spine discomfort. Like lateral bending, lumbar spine flexion can reduce the stimulation of protrusions on nerve roots and increase tension in the posterior longitudinal ligament to restrain protrusions. When cycling, the body is in a flexed position, which reduces the stimulation of protrusions on nerve roots. Therefore, cycling is beneficial for individuals with lumbar disc herniation in terms of recovery.
People with poor lumbar spines should not cycle for extended periods of time
Cycling should not be done for too long, as it can lead to injuries to the lumbar and spinal areas. Individuals with poor lumbar spines should be particularly cautious, as cycling puts a heavy burden on the lower back. Prolonged cycling can exacerbate lower back pain.
How to prevent lower back pain while cycling
When cycling, keep the body slightly straight to avoid putting excessive strain on the lower back. This can prevent lower back fatigue. To do this, shift the body weight forward and lower the upper body angle, so that the arms bear more weight than the body, which can reduce pressure on the lower back.
