Stockwell Physical Therapy is passionate about all sports, but we are especially knowledgeable about the sport of cycling as is pertains to competition and recreation. We aim to assist our clients in achieving their fitness and riding goals by helping them recover through injuries, advise them in proper training principles, as well as, fit them properly to their bicycle. We have worked with many cyclists and triathletes who compete in wide variety of cycling related events. Cycling is a sport of tremendously high repetition. If the bicycle is not fitted properly to the individual there is an increased risk of connective tissue stress and injury.
Steve has been treating recreational and competitive cyclists since 1993 and has specialized in bike fitting since 2000. He is an avid cyclist himself and has raced competitively for over 20 years at the region and national level in road and track cycling. He still races locally for the Sunapee Masters Cycling Team and also enjoys competing in shorter distance triathlons.
Stockwell Physical Therapy offers the following two levels of bike fitting service.
- Basic Bike Fit
The Basic Bike Fit is geared to the recreational cyclist who is looking to improve his/her level of comfort when riding while also avoiding injury. This 45-min session involves the adjustment of seat height and forward/back position based upon inseam measurement and plumb bob alignment. Handlebar height and position is also addressed. Cost: $75.00 - Orthopedic Bike Fit
The Orthopedic Bike Fit includes all of the above with addition of a flexibility screening, foot biomechanical assessment, and a cleat/pedal alignment based upon Q-angle, forefoot position, and tibial torsion of the lower limb. The purpose of this 60- to 90-min session is to not only improve comfort but also pedal efficiency and performance. Cost: $175.00
The following is a list of some of the more common cycling related injuries that we commonly treat with physical therapy in the clinic.
- Patella Tendonitis
An inflammatory condition of the patella tendon of the knee usually caused from overuse or increasing volume/intensity too quickly. It is treated with a variety of manual techniques and modalities as well as evaluating bike fit and cleat/pedal position. - Chrondromalacia
Is an irritation to the undersurface of the kneecap and is usually caused by overuse and abnormal alignment of the foot to knee to hip. It is treated with taping, strengthening weak muscles and adjusting alignment with wedges or orthotics. - IT Band Syndrome
Inflammation of the wide fibrous band on the outside of the knee can cause sharp stabbing pain that radiates from the outside to the middle of the knee. This is usually treated with proper bike fit as well as orthotics and proper stretching. - Pes Anserine Bursitis/Tendinitis
This is an inflammation of the medial hamstring and adductor attachments. This is often caused by too high of a saddle height as well as too much float in the pedal/cleat system. - Back and Neck Pain
These problems are often solved through proper bike fitting. Body posture and flexibility also needs to be address as well as a good core stabilization program, which will reduce stress to the lower back during forceful pedaling. - Achilles Tendonitis
Inflammation of the Achilles can cause pain at the heel bone and sometimes sound like a rusty hinge when you move the foot up and down. This is treated with stretching, inflammatory control, heel lifts/orthotics and a program of eccentric strengthening. - Wrist/Hand Numbness
Saddle tilt and handlebar position is key for hand and wrist pressures that can cause numbness. Different bars as well as handlebar tape thickness and gloves can help to alleviate symptoms.
