Cycling. It’s fun. It is calming.
It is a sport (most!) anyone can enjoy. It’s
a method to get relief from spinal stenosis related back pain.
OrthoIllinois Chiropractic is glad to suggest an enjoyable
exercise option with McHenry chiropractic back pain patients for added
McHenry back pain relief.
WHAT IS LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS
Lumbar spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal
area in the low back. Such narrowing results from
spinal conditions like degenerative disc disease and disc
herniation. In older folks, lumbar spinal stenosis is familiar. As we age, our discs lose nutrition
and height - more so for some of us than others - which leads to that narrowing. Grocery
shopping turns out to be a joy
just to lean forward over the grocery cart as it feels good!
Why? Leaning forward flexes the spine and widens the spinal canal
space thus reducing McHenry back pain.
WHY CYCLING
Researchers find that flexion-based
training like cycling efficiently reduced back and improved
function and quality of life in older people with chronic low back pain. (1) Just
getting oxygen flowing is a good thing to improve
anyone’s view of life!
HOW CYCLING HELPS RELIEVE McHenry BACK PAIN FROM LUMBAR SPINAL
STENOSIS
For older patients with lumbar spinal stenosis pain that’s lasted for years, an improved
quality of life is welcome! One
study explored how cycling affected older back pain patients. Their average age
was 70.9 years. Some were apprehensive of cycling due
to fear of pain and fatigue, thinking the bike was too big,
believing they did not have time to cycle, and not really
wanting to do it. (Sounds like all of us at times! McHenry
folks just have to schedule time to exercise no
matter our age!) Those who let
go of those issues and cycled were pleasantly
satisfied with their clinical improvement (reduced leg pain and disability)
and discovered that the bicycle was simple. (1) You never know until you try! OrthoIllinois Chiropractic supports
our McHenry chiropractic patients to attempt new
things to help with their McHenry back pain relief.
CYCLING HELPS AVOID BACK SURGERY
Something new that many McHenry chiropractic
patients don’t want to try is back surgery. When
the pain is really uncomfortable, a back surgery sounds like an answer. In a study conducted at
a spine surgery center, patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and low back pain participate
in a 4 months’ training program riding a stationary bicycle.
They cycle at about 70% of maximal capacity. Almost 50%
of the patients got better so much that they did not require
spinal surgery. (2) Now that is an advantage McHenry
lumbar spinal stenosis patients desire!
CONTACT OrthoIllinois Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Kurt Olding talking about a case of lumbar spinal stenosis relieved
with Cox Technic spinal manipulation on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr.
Michael Johnson.