Cycling specific pain

I've had a bad back for years but that's pretty much been cleared up now after a few visits to the osteopath over the last few months...

Problem is that now I'm left with really bad muscular pain down my right side, I strained my gluteus maximus three weeks ago (doing a retarded skid when I was drunk after the first England WC game) and am getting a lot of referred pain down through my hamstring and into my calf... It's fucking agony and I don't think riding the bike is helping... I haven't ridden fixed since the pain's come on, that just makes it worse...

My GP has been next to useless, they've got me some physio at St Thomas's for next week but I'm thinking I should go for something more cycling-specific... Have heard good things about the Crystal Palace Sports Injury Centre... Anyone been? Any other alternatives? I'd rather get referred by my GP in Lambeth than pay full whack straight away...

Cheers, Joe

have you pm'd Ved?

GPs are useless at things like that, get a referral. I think both RPM and Mr Smyth have had very positive experiences with the Crystal Palace Sports Injury Clinic. Andrea has been too, to get treatment for sciatic pain and they sorted her out in a couple of sessions.

Jo. I have always suffered from a bit of back problem. Have you tried swimming regularly? I find it really helps

Swimming is all kinds of wonderful cos the water supports your body.

Yoga when you're back on form Jose? Could be a good longterm day-to-day strategy to help prevent further injuries. Heal up, mate.

Good, knowledgeable physio I've been to see:
http://www.lfgss.com/member1909.html

when you're all healed up and if your up for pilates, yoga, body conditioning. gis a shout. 'er indoors. innit.

That's what the reasoning behind going to the osteopath, so that I could get in decent enough shape to start regular pilates sessions... Need to put all these musculo-skeletal issues to bed, they're beginning to really fuck me off... Constant pain isn't any fun... :[

You've beaten your body for years, it is not going to get back into shape in 2 months. Get treatment and stick to it if it suits and do as many sessions as you need. You can do some Pilates now, find a good teacher who will guide you. A good start is to just stand in a correct posture for 5-10mn (check mountain pose), it will realign your body. I can teach you some Qikung if you want.

And stop the painkillers, they're making things worse.

You can do some Pilates now, find a good teacher who will guide you. A good start is to just stand in a correct posture for 5-10mn (check mountain pose), it will realign your body. I can teach you some Qikung if you want.

Thread hijack (sorry uncle José), Vee can you recommend a good Pilates teacher for a total beginner? I don't have any pain, but I need to sort my general posture out (especially shoulders) big time.

No hijack, Caroline... Thought it might be a good place to get advice/have a moan about all our cycling injuries...

@ VeeVee: If it wasn't for the pain-killers I'd have topped myself months ago... :S

konijin: my wife is currently completing her pilates teacher certification. she has danced for 20+ years. and will be studying dance science (and pilates) at laban in september.

gimme a shout if you're interested.

^that goes for anyone interested in pilates.

Dancer, eh? dribbles

is that old age or sexual dribble?

I started to get really painful knees a few months ago from a combination of cycling and running, and a mate of mine pointed me in the direction of an acupuncturist after many GP/painkillers/physio fails. Had about 5 sessions now, and it really is getting much better. Worth a shot...

@ VeeVee: If it wasn't for the pain-killers I'd have topped myself months ago... :S

and you should have seeked treatment months ago.

@Konijn, I only practice Qikung and a little bit of yoga.

@ajg, acupuncture rules.

@Vee
Sought

goes to use sham needles and sham interventions to cure pedantry

i have a feeling it won't work.

Joe, I'm sure you've seen this:

http://www.lfgss.com/thread31438.html

This is very good if you want to improve your posture etc. generally. It's not so much specific interventions. I used to have all sorts of issues before I started doing this regularly. Highly recommended. You have to give it a couple of sessions before you start to feel the benefits, but after that you won't want to miss it.

Obviously, you'll be able to find good yoga sessions closer to where you live, but Rebecca is really good at understanding cycling-specific problems. That's what her course is aimed at.

they've got me some physio at St Thomas's for next week but I'm thinking I should go for something more cycling-specific...

The physio's at St Thomas' were amazing with me when I got hit.
http://www.lfgss.com/thread31527.html (I was on crutches for more than a month and a half, not the two weeks I confidently predicted)

I think they (St Thomas') get a lot of people who are not particulary motivated, I was (obviously) hugely motivated and so they gave me a lot of attention. I regained my base fitness pretty quickly. Completely different situation, but don't write those guys off.

I've been getting pain at the bottom of my back for a while but a combination of seriously checking my seat/handlebar position (riding with tools everywhere) and swimming building up core muscles has helped, its still hurting though.

they should see you right at CP, without it costing the earth.
i would go there first before trying any pilates/yoga/strange herbs/swimming. it needs proper diagnosis before suggesting treatment which may include rest rather then a different kind of exercise.