Doctor said to stop riding my bikes? WTH?
Just to catch everyone up, on the Sunday before Labor Day I did a big 80+ mile ride from Grand Rapids out to the Block House in North Muskegon and ended in Fruitport for a family gathering. During the course of the ride, the muscles in my left neck and shoulder got more and more sore and by the time I reached downtown Muskegon on my way back from the Block House my neck had locked up so badly I could not turn my head to the left!
I still don’t know what caused this, but for a week I was not sleeping. The muscle would spasm every couple hours. I eventually went to the doctor who prescribed muscle relaxers and pain killers. In the time since May 29th to the present July 24th, I have not ridden a bike outside. I skipped two registered 100 mile mountain bike races (Mohican June 6 and Wilderness July 24). I dropped out of Coast to Coast and Lumberjack (more weather related however). I have only ridden my trainer.
I think the issue is the Semispinalis Capatis from this image and the red dot is exactly where the soreness still remains an issue. I stll can only turn my head left about 80%.
I have been to my primary doctor two times now. I went to Flow Chiropractic to see Dr. Eric Graf who is certified in ART (Active Release Therapy). His ministrations were really the MOST helpful! I also went to a physical therapist prescribed by my primary doctor as well as three massages. And this is where I am.
X-rays have indicated severe arthritis in my neck, though that may or may not have anything to do with the muscle issue. But I have reached a point where I will likely just have to learn to live with this discomfort, applying ice and taking Tylenol on a regular basis.
But what really got me was the doctor saying “stick to the bike trainer.” Uh NOPE that is NOT an option!
While I have enjoyed the Zwift program on the trainer- It’s a game changer for indoor riding,- nothing replaces real life rides! I don’t ride a bicycle of any kind merely to burn calories and stay fit. In fact, those are merely byproducts. I ride a bike because I like to get outside on road or trail, feel the wind. I also ride for the social component- I ride with some great people whom I all consider friends. You don’t get these experiences on a trainer.
(I also experience discomfort running. This should not be too much of an issue since after my last 25K Riverbank Run I have foresworn more than 5K events for the future- but I still enjoy running).
So, NO doctor. I will NOT just ride a trainer.
The issue on the bike, especially road bikes, is being bent forward then bring the head up to see which puts stress on my neck. The mountain bike is not as much of an issue.
My plan is to put a new stem with a steeper up-angle to raise the handlebars on my road bike up a bit and keep my head more elevated. I could do that with the cross/gravel bike but I am in the hunt for a new actual gravel bike and will elevate that bike’s handlebars similarly once I purchase it. When I get that bike the Cannondale Cross9 cyclocross bike which I have been using for gravel events will be permanently retired to be my trainer bike.
EDIT Aug 5th-2021: Made an appointment with a different doctor to get a second opinion and possibly change doctor’s office.
Originally published at http://dennisbmurphy.blogspot.com.
