Pedal Power: Sports Massage & Cycling

Cycling is a demanding and exciting sport that results in a unique set of aches and pains for the cyclist. This sets cycling apart due to the specific aerodynamic body positioning that allows the cyclist to be more efficient, trying to cheat physics whenever they can. Here’s what the rider may think when they’re the motor: “I’m in good condition but rides like this is a wake-up call for my muscles.”
Sports Massage for cyclists targets the specific needs of those in the sport helping to also prevent burnout or injuries from occurring.
With any physical activity lactic acid can build up when the energy exerted does not equal the energy produced by the body, causing an excess amount of lactic acid. Lactic acid is not a toxin. Your body needs it to give you energy, but excess can produce cramping, and spasms in the muscle tissues.
Sports massage helps disperse lactic acid, increase blood flow and nourishment to the muscles, improve flexibility to the connective tissue of the joints, and provide invigoration as well as a sense of overall well being.
Symptoms, combined with the weight of the helmet, would be few if you were looking down when riding. But you have to look up to see where you are going and that changes the proper alignment of the spine and that can make for a tired, stiff neck. Held in a tuck position, tender triceps and wrists absorb the road chatter and vibrations through the bike. Then there is the lower back, followed by the glutes and legs, the pistons that transfer power to the bicycle.
While maintaining a forward-bent position, with the wrists extended and fingers flexed, the lower back and arm muscles work to support the lower body. This constant isometric linear positioning of a forward motion with the body in tight alignment, can put specific areas of the body under stress, and prone to injury.
Cycling injuries do not happen to everyone, but any cyclist could tell you the toll their body takes when they fall off!
Some common cycling injuries:
~ Numbness of the hands and fingers: this is commonly caused by the rounded shoulder posture, and not changing hand positioning.
~ Piriformis Syndrome: causing loss of range of motion and constant tightness of the glutes, this can be corrected through massage and proper adjustment of the seat.
~ Patellar-tendonitis: From overuse occurring above or below the patella.
~ Cramping: preventable with massage, stretching and electrolytes.
~ Shin Splints: results form incorrect biomechanics during cycling.

Competitive cyclists as well as weekend enthusiasts, benefit from the many positive effects of regular massage therapy. Massage keeps you relaxed, pain-free, limber and on the road doing what you love.
So, how much is enough? While a recreational cyclist might do fine with a massage once a month, the more serious cyclist probably has a greater need.
For a pro and sport level, a deep tissue/ sports massage before a race, after the event, and once a week beyond that is ideal. If that is not feasible, every other week receiving a sports/ deep tissue massage is great for maintenance.
Maintenance is very important for cyclists. Not only will massage help prevent injuries from occurring, it can help heal the ones you have. It will improve your performance and teach you proper body awareness. Massage and cycling is a winning combination!