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Cycling can be a low-impact form of exercise, but it can still lead to a variety of injuries. Some common injuries that cyclists may experience include low back pain, knee pain (such as iliotibial band syndrome or patellofemoral pain syndrome), neck and shoulder pain, and numbness or tingling in the hands or feet. These injuries can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor bike fit, muscle imbalances, and improper body mechanics. It is important for cyclists to pay attention to their bodies and seek a professional if they experience any persistent pain or discomfort while riding. Physical therapy for cyclists focuses on improving strength, mobility, endurance, and technique. A physical therapist can also help you reduce risk of injury by adapting your bike so that it fits optimally. We work with all types of cyclists. From road bikers to mountain bikers, to recreational riders, we work with them all.
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Physical therapy can be an essential part of a cyclist's training and recovery regimen. Whether you are a professional racer or a weekend warrior, maintaining proper body mechanics and addressing any musculoskeletal imbalances can help you ride stronger, longer, and with fewer injuries. Here are the most common injuries for cyclists:
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Low back pain: This is a common injury among cyclists due to the prolonged bent-over position that is necessary to ride a bike. Poor posture and muscle imbalances can contribute to low back pain.
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Knee pain: Overuse injuries of the knee, such as iliotibial band syndrome and patellofemoral pain syndrome, are common among cyclists. These injuries can be caused by improper bike fit, muscle imbalances, and poor pedaling technique.
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Neck and shoulder pain: The repetitive nature of cycling can lead to neck and shoulder pain, especially if the bike is not properly fitted or if the rider has poor posture.
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Numbness and tingling in the hands: This can be caused by pressure on the nerves that run through the wrist and hand, which can be exacerbated by gripping the handlebars too tightly or by a bike that is not properly fitted.
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Numbness and tingling in the feet: This can be caused by pressure on the nerves that run through the foot and ankle, which can be exacerbated by using cycling shoes that are too tight or by a bike that is not properly fitted.
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Falls: If you are a cyclist you know that it's not a matter if you will fall but when. There are a variety of acute injuries that can happen when you fall. Most of these injuries can be improved with physical therapy. Where you strained a muscle, sprained your wrist or shoulder, or have a muscle contusion, a physical therapist in Renton or Seattle can help.
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​Our Bike rehab Renton can help you not only recover from these types of injuries but will also help to prevent future occurrence. Sports physical therapy is much different than traditional physical therapy because of the goals and level of performance needed to return to the field after injury.
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It is important to find a sports therapist for these types of injuries. Our specialists will be able to help you map the exact plan to get you back to the field at maximal performance.
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Bike Fitting | Physical Therapy
An effective bike fit considers various elements of your physical condition, such as flexibility, core strength, and any pre-existing conditions or injuries, while also examining the components of your bicycle. It's not a one-size-fits-all approach; it's about finding the unique set of adjustments that suits you.
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Foot, Ankle, and Knee Alignment: Foot and ankle positioning is crucial for efficient power transfer from the hip, through the knee and into the pedals. Proper alignment decreases the load from the repetitive pedaling motion on the knees and promotes improved balance and stability on the bike. We will carefully assess your foot-pedal interface to ensure optimal positioning and pedal stroke efficiency.
Hip and Saddle Considerations: Your hip muscles play an integral role in maintaining the alignment and stability of your lower body during cycling while the height, type, and placement of your saddle affects your tolerance to time on the bike. Our bike fitting service will aim to minimize strain on these areas by optimizing your riding posture and alignment in order to improve your comfort on the bike.
Neck and Shoulders Alignment: Neck and shoulder positioning directly correlates to how aerodynamic and thus efficient a rider is. If a rider is unable to hold a certain posture due to pain, numbness, or fatigue, then they become less efficient on the bike. We analyze your riding posture to promote the best position for your needs while providing individualized exercise programs to promote adaptation to prolonged positions over time.
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Hand and Handlebar Considerations: Your hands are your main line of safety on a bike, as they control the brakes. Numbness or pain in the hands can put the safety of the rider at risk as well as potentially affect tasks off of the bike. Our bike fitting service utilizes specialized tools to evaluate your handlebar and brake positions to promote safety on the bike and improve tolerance to prolonged positions to facilitate more time doing something you love.
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Core Strength: A strong core contributes to better overall control, balance, and endurance on the bike. Our team can provide personalized conditioning programs aimed at improving your core strength, complementing your bike fit, and enhancing your overall cycling performance.
Treatment of bike injuries
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​The treatment techniques we use for sports therapy are varied and individualized based on injury and presentation of symptoms. Some of the common things we do include:
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Sports massage like techniques
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Graston or IASTM (Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization)
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Joint mobilizations
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Passive stretching for muscles and joint
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Range of motion techniques
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Manually resisted exercises
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Strength and Conditioning
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Agility training
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Bike fitting
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Cycling Performance Optimization
At HIDEF Physical Therapy we will work with you to help you optimize your performance and decrease your chance of injury. Even if you aren't injured, you can benefit from seeing a physical therapist in order to evaluate potential areas of vulnerability and to improve ability to perform at a high level without breaking down.​
Why Choose HIDEF?
Our sports injury clinic in Renton, Seattle, and Bellevue have the tools to treat a wide variety of sports injuries from minor injuries to more severe injuries. Whether you are a professional athlete or take part in recreational activity on the weekend, you will benefit from working with someone who specializes in sports rehabilitation.
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