Fauquier Health's PM&R Team participate in Triathalon

Left to right: Bruce Edwards, Kristen Pierce & Elena Cooper

Team “Fauquier Health PM&R (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation)” consisting of speech therapist Elena Cooper and physical therapists Bruce Edwards, David Grossmann, and Kristen Pierce participated in the 3rd Annual BRATS Triathlon Event #2 on July 19, 2010 held at the Vint Hill Community. The triathlon was a charity benefit to support the Owen Lea Foundation which is dedicated to serving families with neuroblastoma. The therapists enjoyed the hot July morning swimming 300 meters, biking 12 miles, and running a 5K.

Dave Grossmann crosses the finish line.

Cycling is a repetitive activity that can result in injury. Our physical therapists at Fauquier Health Outpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department can provide you with the proper stretches, balance, and strengthening exercises to treat your cycling related injuries.

American Physical Therapy Association's tips for avoiding bike fit related injuries:

Postural Tips

· Change hand position on the handlebars frequently for upper body comfort.
· Keep a controlled but relaxed grip of the handlebars.
· When pedaling, your knee should be slightly bent at the bottom of the pedal stroke. Avoid rocking your hips while pedaling.

Common Bicycling Pains

· Anterior (Front) Knee Pain
Possible causes are having a saddle that is too low, pedaling at a low cadence (speed), using your quadriceps muscles too much in pedaling, misaligned bicycle cleat for those who use clipless pedals, and muscle imbalance in your legs (strong quadriceps and weak hamstrings).

· Neck Pain
Possible causes include poor handlebar or saddle position. A poorly placed handlebar might be too low, at too great a reach, or at too short a reach. A saddle with excessive downward tilt can be a source of neck pain.

· Lower Back Pain
Possible causes include inflexible hamstrings, low cadence, using your quadriceps muscles too much in pedaling, poor back strength, and too long or too-low handlebars.

· Hamstring Tendinitis
Possible causes are inflexible hamstrings, high saddle, misaligned bicycle cleat for those who use clipless pedals, and poor hamstring strength.

· Hand Numbness or Pain
Possible causes are short-reach handlebars, poorly placed brake levers, and a downward tilt of the saddle.

· Foot Numbness or Pain
Possible causes are using quadriceps muscles too much in pedaling, low cadence, faulty foot mechanics, and misaligned bicycle cleat for those who use clipless pedals.

· Ilio-Tibial Band Tendinitis
Possible causes are too-high saddle, leg length difference, and misaligned bicycle cleat for those who use clipless pedal.

For further information see http://www.apta.org/

At Fauquier Health Outpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, our therapists treat not only cycling injuries, but all other types of orthopedic and sports related injures for all ages. If you feel you or someone you know may benefit from this service and would like to hear more, please call us at 540-316-2680. Or click on the button below to ask a question.