Three steps you can take to reduce knee pain while cycling

Cycling Knee Pain

Cycling is becoming more popular in the U.S. than ever before. For instance, a recent poll found that 50% of the people surveyed were planning to ride bikes more often. However, one issue that can keep you from cycling more is knee pain. 

Knee pain is a common scourge among people who ride bikes; in  fact, 23% of the professional cyclists surveyed in one medical study had knee pain. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce your chances of developing knee pain while cycling. Physical therapists can help you learn about some of these prevention steps, and they can also help you treat your knee pain if you do develop it. 

Taking these three steps can reduce your chances of knee pain while cycling

Some steps you can take to reduce your risk of knee pain while riding your bike include: 

  1. Hydrating properly — Your joints are lubricated by synovial fluid, and this fluid is made up of mostly water. People who don’t drink enough water can create less synovial fluid. This can lead to more friction in your joints while moving, which can trigger pain. 
  1. Adjusting your bike — Even slight misadjustments in your bike can lead to issues like knee pain. For instance, having your seat too high or too low can put more pressure on your knees and lead to pain. Poorly adjusted pedals can also have these effects. One way to avoid knee pain is to work with a cycling professional to adjust your bike properly.
  1. Going to physical therapy — Underlying physical issues can easily lead to knee misalignment and pain while riding your bike. Physical therapists can help address underlying knee issues. In turn, this can help you avoid future pain and treat pain you currently have. 

How can physical therapists help treat and prevent knee pain from cycling?

Physical therapists are trained to treat the human musculoskeletal system, which includes the knees. This knowledge allows them to identify underlying issues that could give you problems while cycling. They also offer many techniques that can help treat and prevent knee pain, such as: 

Excel Sports & Physical Therapy offers help for knee pain while cycling

Struggling to prevent or treat knee pain you have while cycling? Our physical therapy experts at Excel PT are ready and willing to help you address your pain. We offer free screenings that can pinpoint the root cause(s) of your pain. In addition, our specialists can create a unique therapy plan for you that’s designed to reduce current pain and prevent future pain. Even better, our team offers virtual therapy and at-home care services that allow you to receive therapy in your home. 

Contact our team today for more information about our therapy services for knee pain or to schedule an initial appointment.