Cycling has become one of the most popular ways to exercise globally. Millions of cyclists spend their time off exploring beautiful trails in and out of their cities. Others use their bicycle as their primary mode of transportation to skip the long queue at train or bus stations. However, sadly many people can’t enjoy a ride on a bike because of having a pinched or compressed sciatic nerve. Find out if there’s a way to work around your situation and achieve significant relief. Also, we encourage you to read on to learn why it helps to seek a cervical chiropractor.

Cycling and Nerve Pinching: Are They Dangerous?

Most cases of nerve pinching or compression don’t require emergency assistance. However, patients diagnosed with such a condition are advised to avoid activities that aggravate the pain and numbing sensation. These include lifting heavy objects, performing high-intensity exercises, and engaging in high-impact sports (football, wrestling, rugby, etc.). Moreover, it would be wise to assess your condition to determine if you should avoid physical activities like cycling or make necessary adjustments. Your doctor, physical therapist, or cervical chiropractor can help you modify your stretching exercises before cycling to lessen your activities' impact on the sciatic nerve.Generally speaking, riding a bicycle is an excellent low-impact exercise for patients with sciatic nerve compression. It can provide benefits like enhanced cardio and stronger bones and muscles when done correctly. Here are a few cycling tips you should consider to avoid aggravating your nerve compression problem:

• Try reducing the time you spend on the saddle. Giving your body enough room to heal and recover will help prevent nerve damage.
• Incorporate stretching exercises into your pre-cycling routine. Include simple techniques like calf stretch, seated glute stretch, and revolved belly pose. 
• Check the quality of your bike saddle; a worn saddle will only put unnecessary pressure on your pelvis and sciatic nerve.
• Use a heating pad or ice compress to ease the pain after a long cycling session.
• Raise the stem and handlebars to alleviate pressure on your pelvis. 
• Adjust the saddle height so your feet can easily reach the pedals.

Get Help For Your Pinched Nerve As Soon As Possible

A pinched nerve usually doesn’t require invasive procedures or urgent medical assistance. In most cases, patients with this condition only need to rest to help the body recuperate. However, depending on the root cause of the issue, you may need to explore remedies and techniques such as the following:

• Massage therapy - Sometimes, tensed muscles on the back or hips can tug on the bones and cause sciatic nerve compression. Frequent massage sessions help release tension build-up and boost the release of natural painkillers. 
• Physical therapy - Just like massage therapy, this pinched nerve remedy can help reduce pain. It improves your range of motion and keeps your bones, joints, and muscles in good shape so they avoid impinging on your nerve roots. 
• Upper Cervical Care - Notably, a cervical chiropractor can help improve pinched nerve compression by fixing posture problems caused by neck bone shifting. Upper cervical chiropractors focus on the atlas and axis, the topmost bones prone to shifting or subluxation. 

Get in Touch with The Nearest Cervical Chiropractor

Want to get back to your regular cycling routine? We suggest scheduling a visit to the nearest cervical chiropractor. Regular chiropractic adjustments and consultations can help keep your neck bones in tip-top condition so they don’t compromise the rest of your spine. If you need help getting in touch with an upper cervical doctor, we recommend checking our directory. It includes NUCCA, Blair, Atlas Orthogonal, and other Upper Cervical Chiropractic professionals across the USA, Canada, and the Philippines.

to schedule a consultation today.