BACK PAIN MYTHS DEBUNKED
CYCLING WEEKLY|October 21, 2021
Finding himself immobilised by lower back pain, CW fitness editor David Bradford goes in urgent search of expert advice to quell his fears and get him back on his bike
David Bradford
BACK PAIN MYTHS DEBUNKED

It’s an uncomfortable truth that lower back pain is common among cyclists. But are we really more prone to back issues than people who do other sports and activities? And if so, is it caused directly by our position on the bike, being leant over to varying degrees, or other less obvious factors? In other words, how can we separate the truths from the presumptions, the researched facts from the pseudo-science-spun myths? In doing so, maybe at least some of us can avoid falling victim to back pain in the first place.

My interest in this topic piqued very suddenly one Sunday morning a few weeks ago when, having dipped into a squat in my home gym, I began to push up and… Aaargh! A paroxysm of pain shot through my torso with such intensity that instinct took over and hurled me onto the adjacent sofa as the dumbbells hitherto at my shoulders clattered to the floor. For a few hours, I wasn’t sure what to do: my back was completely seized and any significant movement, e.g. getting up, felt not just too painful but literally impossible. I’m in serious trouble here, was all I could think.

I called 111 but couldn’t get through, so eventually – having satisfied myself that I had no sinister symptoms such as loss of feeling – I very tentatively hauled myself to my feet. A few agonising steps later, I prostrated myself on my bed and lay motionless, fearing the next spasm. For the next few days, I could neither stand nor walk unsupported. Getting around meant a snail’s pace shuffle using my office chair like a Zimmer frame. I even needed to be propped up to go for a pee; ‘humiliating’ barely covers it.

This story is from the October 21, 2021 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 21, 2021 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM CYCLING WEEKLYView All
CLASSIC BIKE - JOHNNY BERRY
Cycling Weekly

CLASSIC BIKE - JOHNNY BERRY

Johnny be good at making beautiful lightweight bikes

time-read
1 min  |
December 19 - 26, 2024 (Double Issue)
UK SCENE - WUNDERKIND HUDSON WINS YORKSHIRE CX
Cycling Weekly

UK SCENE - WUNDERKIND HUDSON WINS YORKSHIRE CX

Newly crowned junior hill-climb champ shows his versatility by winning round seven on the mud

time-read
1 min  |
December 19 - 26, 2024 (Double Issue)
WATT WORKS FOR ME TADEJ POGAČAR
Cycling Weekly

WATT WORKS FOR ME TADEJ POGAČAR

The man himself - subject of this special issue - explains the key performance changes behind his record-breaking year

time-read
2 mins  |
December 19 - 26, 2024 (Double Issue)
11 WAYS TO POG-UP YOUR PLAN
Cycling Weekly

11 WAYS TO POG-UP YOUR PLAN

Tadej Pocačar's performance is out of reach but you can adapt his training to raise your game. Chris Marshall-Bell consults the experts to find out how

time-read
9 mins  |
December 19 - 26, 2024 (Double Issue)
Why do modern aero bikes look less aero?
Cycling Weekly

Why do modern aero bikes look less aero?

Are today's aero bikes really faster, or is marketing just getting better? Joe Baker investigates...

time-read
6 mins  |
December 19 - 26, 2024 (Double Issue)
REVIEW OF THE YEAR
Cycling Weekly

REVIEW OF THE YEAR

An Olympic year is always special and the cycling season once again delivered a year of highs and lows, from Pogi's triple to Katie Archibald's pre-Olympic trip

time-read
3 mins  |
December 19 - 26, 2024 (Double Issue)
MEET THE PARENTS
Cycling Weekly

MEET THE PARENTS

What made Tadej Pogačar the phenomenon he is today? Chris Marshall-Bell went to Slovenia to meet his mum and dad, Mirko and Marjeta

time-read
10 mins  |
December 19 - 26, 2024 (Double Issue)
HALF MAN HALF GOAT
Cycling Weekly

HALF MAN HALF GOAT

Tadej Pogačar may have had a phenomenal season, but has he done enough to cement his status as the greatest of all time? Chris Marshall-Bell weighs the arguments for and against

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 19 - 26, 2024 (Double Issue)
Lefevere cashes in his chips and leaves cycling management
Cycling Weekly

Lefevere cashes in his chips and leaves cycling management

The news that Patrick Lefevere will step down as Quick Step boss marks the end of an era, after 22 years in charge

time-read
3 mins  |
December 19 - 26, 2024 (Double Issue)
Mathieu van der Poel weighs up skipping Tour de France
Cycling Weekly

Mathieu van der Poel weighs up skipping Tour de France

Dutchman hints at missing Tour in favour of mtb Worlds bid, reports Tom Thewlis from Dénia, Spain

time-read
2 mins  |
December 19 - 26, 2024 (Double Issue)