Herniated cervical disc and mtb'ing

[Brandi]

I have to agree with rocknrollgirl. My husband and i have suffered from multiple back problems for years. I have heard on a constant basis the muscle building is the biggest help. I hate steroids and would avoid them like the plague. They will make you gain weight, disturb sleeping and can make you agressive. I took them for a rash once and it just about drove me insane. Never again!
I do muscle stuff for my neck and it has lessended my problems as well as my dh has done stuff for he's lower back and it has helped as well. Of coarse i am going through a numb arm at night thing right now.

[Artisan]

I do muscle stuff for my neck and it has lessended my problems as well as my dh has done stuff for he's lower back and it has helped as well.

I've been having issues with my neck lately since I've started training for the race season. I think it's because I'm in a different position on my bike and perhaps my muscles are weaker in that area. I was in the shower the other day and somehow developed a crick in my neck...this is the second time in the last two months. What muscle work do you do for your neck?

[anakiwa]

What muscle work do you do for your neck?

Physical therapy may be another option.

[Iowagirl]

I have similar neck problems and have had good success with a nerve root block for pain. They are kind of tricky and I would only have it done at a center where they use X-Ray to hit the right spot because if they miss it's pretty much a waste of money and not a comfortable procedure either. I previously had a ruptured disc at C5-C6 and had a fusion and was able to continue biking for two years. However, continuing disk degeneration and cervical stenosis had pretty much made it impossible to ride last year. I had six months of relief from a nerve root block. I would think with the condition of your neck, you doctor would frown on your being on a MTB. Have you thought of turning things down a notch and going for a road bike before you are unable to ride at all? I didn't listen to the warnings they gave me, thought I was invincible, and am now paying the piper. BTW, the road bike I ride is more upright which also takes stress off my neck. Hope this helps. Just trying to tell you to listen to what your body is trying to tell you.

[invsblwmn]

Been there, doing that... C2-5 all confirmed herniated since 1992. Numbness on and off in both hands, still was riding MTB and commuting daily on the road bike until my accident last September. Just need to listen to your body. Make sure you keep up with stomach strengthening to keep it equal to back. Follow your doc's advice. Good luck.

[tulip]

I've not been diagnosed with neck problems, but with hip and lower back problems. Holding myself funny in response to my hip/lower back did result in pain in my neck (which is a real pain in the neck!). My chiropractor suggested pilates to strengthen my core to better support my whole spine. It has helped tremendously. I started very slowly with a very good pilates teacher. I sought out a true pilates studio where they only do pilates and cater to dancers because I've had some bad experiences in gyms with pilates-type classes that are not real pilates.

It might not be all you need, but it might help. I hope you feel better soon.

[Dogmama]

I've not been diagnosed with neck problems, but with hip and lower back problems. Holding myself funny in response to my hip/lower back did result in pain in my neck (which is a real pain in the neck!). My chiropractor suggested pilates to strengthen my core to better support my whole spine. It has helped tremendously. I started very slowly with a very good pilates teacher. I sought out a true pilates studio where they only do pilates and cater to dancers because I've had some bad experiences in gyms with pilates-type classes that are not real pilates.

It might not be all you need, but it might help. I hope you feel better soon.

Lower back & neck pain tend to go together. I'm having lower back problems and am doing the same pilates - in a studio with a teacher & the equipment - not a mat class with 50 others. So far, so good. Have also had epidural steroid injections that didn't do much good. Pilates & massage help.