Can a person with a herniated disc ride a bike? – GOOD SHAPE

Back pain: do you know someone who suffers from a herniated disc? (ChesiireCat/Thinkstock/Getty Images)

“Physical activity is always recommended for anyone, as long as there is common sense and the exercise does not worsen the pain”, recommends the physiotherapist specialized in spine Helder Montenegro (@heldermontenegro), manager of the Spine Institute (ITC). In this way, if you want to ride a bike and have a herniated disc, the specialist recommends:

Care:

“Fit the bike correctly and give preference to short sections, otherwise there will be muscle tension. And remember to stretch frequently and do parallel work on strengthening your abs and back muscles.”

If pain appears:

“Practicing physical activity needs to be a pleasurable moment and should not be performed if you are in pain. It is preferable to have proper pain management and then return to activity when you feel better.”

And the exercise bike, is it better than the others?

“In fact, the stationary bike (when used with the proper posture) is even preferable to the regular bike, which tends to lean the torso forward. The use of a used bicycle on asphalt and on the road can cause vibrations and cause pain.”

on the trails

“Mountain bikes (equipment used on the mountain) result in a lot of impact on the spine, so trail bikes may not be the best choice for those suffering from a herniated disc.”