login
- Spinal Injuries
- Hip Injuries
- Forefoot Injuries
- Knee Injuries
- Heel Injuries
- Midfoot / Arch Injuries
- Lower Leg Injuries - Calf & Soleus
- Upper Leg Injuries - Hamstring
- Medications
- Shoulder Injuries
- Ribcage / Chest Injuries
- Abdominal Injuries
- Head Injuries
- Elbow Injuries
- Hand Injuries
- Lower Leg Injuries - Achilles
- Ankle Injuries
- Upper Leg Injuries - Quadriceps
- Groin Injuries
- Lower Leg Injuries - Shin
Author
The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) was formed in 1991 to fill a void that has existed in sports medicine from its earliest beginnings. The founders most recognized and expert sports medicine specialists realized that while there are several physician organizations which support sports medicine, there has not been a forum specific for primary care non-surgical sports medicine physicians.
FIND A SPORTS MEDICINE DOCTOR
- Spinal Injuries
- Hip Injuries
- Forefoot Injuries
- Knee Injuries
- Heel Injuries
- Midfoot / Arch Injuries
- Lower Leg Injuries - Calf & Soleus
- Upper Leg Injuries - Hamstring
- Medications
- Shoulder Injuries
- Ribcage / Chest Injuries
- Abdominal Injuries
- Head Injuries
- Elbow Injuries
- Hand Injuries
- Lower Leg Injuries - Achilles
- Ankle Injuries
- Upper Leg Injuries - Quadriceps
- Groin Injuries
- Lower Leg Injuries - Shin
View profile
Add to friends
Go to training log
Go to race log
Send a message
View album
CONNECT WITH FACEBOOK
Member Case Study: Myofacial Pain?
I read an article that this type of pain comes from straining the neck, especially from riding a road bike. What can you tell me about this type of injury?
Question from Tizzy:
I suffered bad headaches for 7 weeks, had all the medical tests done such as MRI and CT scans and nothing bad showed up. I was admitted to hospital and given a bunch of different drugs to try to get rid of the headaches but nothing worked. After discharging myself from a 10 day stay I went to a massage theripist who specializes in 'myofacial trigger point massage'. The day after the first massage I got tremedous relief, and then after the second felt even better.
I read an article that this type of pain comes from straining the neck, especially from riding a road bike. What can you tell me about this type of injury, obviously I need to get my bike better fitted from a professional so I`m not straining those muscles. Is there still hope for me, or will I always suffer from this? Any advice would be welcomed.
Answer:
Neck and upper back pain are common due to the strain on the muscles needed to maintain the neck in hyperextension. Chronic strain in this area can lead to tension-type headaches, but it is difficult to diagnose the cause of your headaches without seeing you. Your response to massage increases the likelihood that chronic tension at least contributed to your headaches.
You would be well served to see a primary care sports medicine physician. You can be evaluated for your overall headache condition, contribution of tension and have your positioning on the bike assessed right in the office. Your treatment will likely include physical therapy to condition the neck, upper back and shoulder muscles. If rest and therapy do not help, your work up may need to include imaging of the neck to ensure no early degeneration or alignment problems exist.
With proper conditioning of the muscles and improving your position on the bike, you should be able to gradually return to cycling.
Ken Bielak, MD
Knoxville, TN
Member AMSSM
Dawn Mathern, MD
Trinity Sports Medicine: Minot, ND
Member AMSSM
Click on star to vote