According to Georgetown University’s Health Policy Institute, approximately 65 million Americans have recently experienced back pain. Practical Pain Management found that neck pain was also prevalent. 20%-70% of adults will live with neck pain severe enough to impact their everyday activities. Many Americans wake up with back pain almost every day.
If you live with back and neck pain, you may be looking to source a chiropractor for support. While visiting a licensed chiropractor would undoubtedly help, there are other things you can also try if you’re not in a position to do so.
How to Prevent Neck and Back Pain
An article in the National Library of Medicine states that aerobic exercise can help improve blood flow in your back. This improved blood flow is good for the tissues in your lower back and can bolster healing in that region while reducing back stiffness.
Bicycling is an ideal form of aerobic exercise for those with back pain because it’s less strenuous on the spine compared to other impact-heavy activities, like running. While there’s no perfect form of aerobic exercise for those with back pain, there are a few things you can do to prevent worsening back pain from riding a bike.
The first step is choosing the correct bike. If you’re a casual biker, select a bike that fits your body correctly and allows you to maintain an upright posture instead of being hunched forward. Mountain bikes are superior to road bikes because they allow for better posture and usually come with shock absorbers.
The second step is to practice good form when biking. Make sure that your weight is evenly distributed throughout your chest and arms. Make sure you don’t lock into one position throughout your ride. You can lift and rotate your head gently at allotted time intervals to reduce neck strain. When pedaling, have a personal trainer or bicycling professional watch you to give you helpful tips that improve your form.
The Best Bike for Back and Neck Pain?
Besides the mountain bike, a few more types of bikes can help not exacerbate symptoms of neck and back pain. The comfort cruiser has higher handlebars and allows the rider to sit upright. The recumbent bike allows the user to ride in a sitting position and eliminates back strain while in use. If balance concerns you, you could try a full adult tricycle with high handlebars, a comfortable seat, and a basket in the back.
As I stated in a related article on the best office chairs for back pain, sadly, there is no silver bullet product that will cure everyone of their back or neck pains. Every situation is circumstantial, and people must experiment with different models to determine what bike is best for their riding style and comfort level.
Contact us at Weymouth Chiropractic and Wellness Center if you have questions regarding bike riding and back or neck pain.