Spending a lot of time on a bicycle causes a lot of injuries. We’re not referring to the kinds that happen when you fall off your bike. Instead, these are injuries that happen due to repetitive motions. Usually, these types of aches and pains occur in people who work in factories, performing the same type of work over and over. However, anyone who spends a lot of time doing the same movements is prone to them, especially cyclists.
Since cyclists spend a lot of time in the same positions which is why forearm, knee, wrist, back, neck, and even tailbone injuries happen. The more time you spend on a bike, the worse these problems get. Most “mature” riders are inclined to having pain and anyone who travels long distances by bike can end up hurting too.
How to Prevent Overuse Injuries
Thankfully, there are some things that can be done to alleviate these aches and pains. One important method involves staying hydrated. The more fluids you drink, the better. Water, in particular, keeps your tissues flexible. Proper stretching routines (even on the days that you don’t ride your bike) can help as well.
On top of this, the type of gear that you purchase matters since well-made items will make you more comfortable and decrease the number of injuries that you get. You might be tempted to buy the cheapest gear available such as gloves, cycling shoes, and shorts but this actually can cause injuries. Remember that high-quality biking gear is designed to make you more comfortable while riding. It can also help your posture, which will relieve some of the strain on your lower back.
Using Acupuncture to Heal Cycling Overuse Injuries
How can acupuncture help? Well, part of it is in the timing (it’s best to care for these injuries before they become chronic, daily occurrences) but the rest lies in the procedure itself.
Acupuncture is a procedure that consists of inserting tiny needles into the skin. It provides quick pain relief and can even reduce tissue inflammation. This is a natural approach to pain control and tissue healing without the use of any pain medication.
This procedure can also help speed up the healing process. Acupuncture is designed to stimulate blood flow, especially when those needles are applied to an injured area of your body. It’s good for overuse injuries and those caused by acute trauma. The addition of nutrients to the area, brought about by the procedure, helps as well.
On top of this, acupuncture can relax any tightened muscles. A muscle tightens up in order to protect it from further injury. These tight muscles alone can cause pain, even without any additional catalysts. When acupuncture needles are inserted into the tissues surrounding those muscles, they will relax. In general, this procedure is good for muscles in the lower back, hip flexors, quads, and hamstrings. This increased flexibility comes with an added benefit – it will help prevent future injuries, even ones caused by overuse.
Many cyclists suffer from pinched nerves. Whether the problem stems from scar tissue, muscles, bones, or even adhesions, these pinched nerves are tough to heal. However, acupuncture can help a great deal, relaxing those areas and calming the nerves.
As you can see, there are many benefits to acupuncture, especially for cyclists suffering from overuse injuries.
