Pain in lower back after riding...

[rivergrl]

Recently after riding when I get home my right lower back (just above my butt and little to the right) is really sore and stiff. I have to slowly bend over to pick things up after a long ride.

I was properly fitted for the bike so am I just not sitting on it or is it a problem with how I'm spinning the peddles? Not sure what I'm doing wrong but I feel like riding is the source of my discomfort.

Any ideas?

[KnottedYet]

That is a pretty typical location for pain related to unequal stress through the pelvis/low back.

It isn't likely your bike's fault, more likely it just shows up more obviously on the bike.

Do you have a sports med physical therapy clinic near you? They might be a great resource, and should be able to take a peek at your body mechanics on the bike, too.

[limewave]

It might be worth seeing your doctor about it, it may not have to do with your bike--you may be out of alignment.

I have a similar pain, but on the left hand side. I finally went to my doctor because it became so painful that some mornings I couldn't walk without a cane, stand up straight or bend over to tie my shoes. It turns out, my entire right side was jammed. So I'm in PT twice a week and they rearrange my bones and make me do core strengthening exercises for 45 minutes.

[rivergrl]

Thanks for the advice. I guess the bike just irritates whatever the issue is.

Thanks again!

[Hammer]

So I'm in PT twice a week and they rearrange my bones and make me do core strengthening exercises for 45 minutes.

That's a good point to remember... My lower bach aches, but all across it. For me it's just that my body isn't used to leaning over a bike yet. I should've been doing sit ups and back extensions all winter. I meant to. I just didn't. So now I'm trying to be better about strengthening my core.

That might help like the PTs are making limewave do.

[violette]

Have you been doing core/abs exercises. I know before I started doing these, I would get exactly the same pain, I even had a hard time bending over. Since I've been exercising...What a difference.

[short cut sally]

I had experienced a sacral area pain when I rode my new bike, but not on my old one, and my bike was fit. The bike shop suggested as i'm riding a different position to do stretches for a little bit, ride my bike 3 or so more times and if there was no improvement, come back. I also am visiting my chiropractor tomorrow for a long overdue appt also to see if that will help too.

[Zen]

my PT has me doing some Pilates for core strengthening. I do front and side planks and she is doing pressure point release on the lumbosacral region.

PT is the thing if you can afford it.

[JanB]

A friend of mine was having the same problem with pain in her lower back and it was a simple matter of moving the seat forward slightly. She had been fitted to her bike but the lbs explained that it still takes some small fine-tuning to get it just right, depending on a person's muscle strengths/weaknesses. I'm sure it's not always that easy.