Tour de France Fever: Could Cycling Be Causing Your Pain?
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As the Tour de France captivates millions of viewers around the world, many people are dusting off their bikes and heading out to enjoy the summer weather. Whether you’re cycling to work, riding at weekends, training for an event or simply enjoying family bike rides, cycling is a fantastic low-impact way to improve your fitness.
But while cycling is gentle on the joints compared to running, it isn’t injury-proof.
At The Fane Clinic, we regularly see cyclists struggling with aches, pains and overuse injuries that could often be prevented or resolved with the right assessment and treatment.
Common Cycling Injuries
Knee Pain
One of the most common complaints among cyclists.
This may be caused by:
- Poor bike fit
- Incorrect saddle height
- Muscle imbalances
- Weak glute muscles
- Poor foot positioning on the pedals
Ignoring knee pain can quickly turn a small irritation into a long-term injury.
Foot Pain and Numbness
Do your feet tingle or go numb during longer rides?
Common causes include:
- Cycling shoes that are too tight
- Pressure on nerves
- Poor foot biomechanics
- Lack of arch suppor
Many cyclists don’t realise their feet are the foundation of every pedal stroke.
Achilles Tendon Pain
Repeated pedaling places continuous strain on the Achilles tendon, particularly if your cleats or saddle position aren’t set up correctly.
Early treatment can prevent a minor tendon irritation from developing into a long-term tendon injury.
Lower Back Pain
Hours spent in a bent-over cycling position can overload the lower back, particularly if your core muscles aren’t supporting your posture effectively.
Our rehabilitation programmes can help improve strength, flexibility and endurance for more comfortable riding.
Neck and Shoulder Pain
Many cyclists experience stiffness across the shoulders and neck after longer rides.
Often this is due to:
- Poor riding posture
- Weak upper back muscles
- Excessive tension whilst gripping the handlebar
Sports therapy can help relieve muscle tightness while improving movement and posture.
How Sports Therapy Can Help
Our sports therapist doesn’t just treat the pain, they identify why it’s happening.
Treatment may include:
- Soft tissue massage
- Joint mobilisation
- Injury rehabilitation
- Strengthening exercises
- Mobility programmes
- Return-to-sport planning
Our aim is to get you back on your bike safely while reducing the chance of the injury returning.
Could Orthotics Improve Your Cycling?
Your feet generate every pedal stroke.
If your foot mechanics aren’t working efficiently, that force travels through your ankles, knees, hips and lower back
Our biomechanics assessments use advanced 3D scanning technology to assess your movement and identify any underlying issues.
Where appropriate, custom orthotics may help by:
- Improving foot alignment
- Reducing excessive pressure
- Supporting the arches
- Improving pedalling efficiency
- Reducing stress on the knees and hips
Many cyclists are surprised how much difference proper foot support can make on longer rides.
Rehabilitation That Keeps You Riding
Simply resting an injury isn’t always enough.
Without addressing the underlying cause, many cycling injuries return as soon as training increases.
That’s why we create personalised rehabilitation programmes designed around your goals whether that’s completing your first charity ride, improving your weekend cycling or preparing for your next sportive.
Don’t Let Pain Stop Your Ride
Professional cyclists have an entire medical team behind them.
While most of us aren’t riding through the Alps, our bodies still deserve the same attention when pain develops
If cycling is leaving you with aches, pains or recurring injuries, don’t just push through it.
Our team at The Fane Clinic can assess your movement, identify the cause of your symptoms and develop a treatment plan tailored specifically to you.
Whether you need sports therapy, rehabilitation, a biomechanics assessment or custom orthotics, we’re here to help keep you riding comfortably all summer long.