#22 – Back Health for Masters Cyclists

Your body has adapted to sitting in a chair. Learn how to become strong again for life, and how to capture more power on the bike. Oh yeah, and eliminate back pain.

What do masters cyclists have in common with professional cyclists? Did you hear about the study of 116 professional cyclists to see who had back pain? 58% had experienced lower back pain in the previous 12 months. 41% had sought medical attention for back pain. Unfortunately, even if you are not a professional cyclist sitting on your bicycle for 20 or more hours a week, you ARE sitting in a chair and/or a bike for 50, 60 or more hours a week, and year after year. After so many years of sitting, our bodies have adapted to the sitting position, making us older athletes susceptible to injury and pain, and making us weaker on the bike and in life. There is no time like the present to get the wheels of progress working in the right direction. A cyclist with a healthy back is a strong cyclist.

I am joined today by Doug Hanna, President of Physical Therapy of Boulder (ptofboulder.com), the largest private practice in Boulder County.  Doug brings over 30 years of clinical experience to his clients as well as a deep education in the field. Doug received a Bachelor of Science degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a Graduate Certificate in Physical Therapy from the Mayo School and Health Related Sciences in Rochester, Minnesota. Doug later completed Certification in Competency in Manual Therapy from the Institute of Graduate Health Sciences and a post-professional Masters of Science degree from the University of St. Augustine in Saint Augustine, Florida.

Doug can relate to the masters athlete because he is one.  Doug rides and competes in gravel cycling, MTB, and bike pack races. Doug knows well the subject of back pain for cyclists. 

Listen in as Doug talks about why our backs hurt and what we can do to have a healthier and stronger spine.

Link to Wise Athletes podcast website: www.wiseathletes.com

Here are the two episodes mentioned in this episode:

Dealing with Pain with Charlie Merrill: https://www.wiseathletes.com/podcast/athlete-pain-is-real-but-not-what-you-think/

Bike Fit Case Study with Natalie Collins: https://www.wiseathletes.com/podcast/12-physical-therapist-bike-fitter-stop-pain-boost-power-a-case-study/