Beat the slump: How to prevent shoulder pain while cycling - a physio's advice

The combination of desk-work and road riding can wreak havoc on your posture. But it is possible to beat the slump - here’s how…

Male cyclist suffering from shoulder pain when cycling
(Image credit: Future)

Most cyclists know that stretching is important – particularly the hip flexors, hamstrings and glutes. But how many of us pay attention to our shoulders and middle back?

Adopting a traditional road cyclist’s pose on the bike can cause a rounding of the shoulders and tightness in the thoracic spine – the section between the neck and bottom of the rib cage. The same areas are affected by desk work, an activity which dominates the days of many amateur riders.

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