Nothing can stall an enjoyable bike ride or a solid block of training like sudden and chronic neck pain. Often, the pain that you may be feeling on the bike will end up preventing you from getting on your bike for an extended period of time. However, when neck pain occurs all hope is not lost if you have the right information to locate and correct this issue.
Location
Neck pain that occurs on the bike is often located in the muscles right next to the spinal cord. The muscles that surround your spinal cord provide an integral role in keeping your head stable and adjusting to its movements. If your head is forced to remain in an unfamiliar position for too long, these muscles will tend to become overworked and result in pain. Neck pain from riding can also travel down toward the muscles surrounding your shoulders and upper back.
Causes
The cause of the neck pain that is felt on the bike occurs most often when the neck is forced into an unnatural position while cycling. According to Dr. Chad Asplund, the prolonged hypertension of the muscles surrounding the neck cause the neck muscles to strain and then become inflamed. This chronic hypertension can be the result of many different sources including bike fit problems, side effects of a crash or equipment issues.
Rest
A good starting point for eliminating neck pain on the bike is to force yourself to take time off from biking. Force yourself to take one to two weeks completely off the bike. Other sources of exercise, such as swimming, can be attempted during this break so that you do not lose your fitness. Attempt riding again only once your neck is feeling no pain at all. Often, all your neck needs is time to heal.
Bike Fit
Another option to stop neck pain when biking is getting a certified bike fit. Neck pain can often be the result of misaligned bars, ill-adjusted bike seats or handlebars at the incorrect height. Misalignment on the bike will cause your body to sit in unnatural situations resulting in your straining your neck in order to be comfortable in your saddle. Take your bike to a certified bike shop to see if your bike fit is causing your neck pain. A few adjustments by a technician can be the difference between sitting at home or being out on the road enjoying your bike.
Equipment Check
The hypertension issues that are the cause of neck pain while biking can also be the direct result of equipment issues. If helmets are too small or constantly sliding around your head while you ride, it may be the cause of the pain in your neck. Check to make sure your helmet sits comfortably on your head and does not move if you shake your head quickly from side to side. Also, ensure that your glasses do not slide down the bridge of your nose while riding. Overcompensating for ill-fitted glasses has been known to cause neck hypertension.
