Numbness on a bike: how to avoid it?

The weather is beautiful, the road is great, you're riding like the wind... but what's with this numbness that's spoiling everything? This numbness is usually neural in origin, often caused by compression or excessive stretching of a nerve. Three areas are often affected when cycling: fingers, the pelvic region, and toes.

Depending on the position of our hands on the hoods, the ulnar nerve (or cubital nerve) is often affected. It is most often overly stretched and/or compressed in Guyon's canal, a small bony canal in the wrist. Sensory deficit and decreased muscle control in the ring and little fingers can occur. These symptoms often appear after prolonged excessive pressure on the hoods. Frequently changing hand position can certainly help reduce numbness, but a bike fit to find the cause of this excessive pressure becomes essential. Physiotherapy is also recommended to ensure optimal recovery, both articular and neural.

If you experience numbness or tingling in the pelvic region during bike rides, or if sexual or erectile dysfunction concerns you, stop cycling and quickly get your positioning adjusted. A saddle change might also be necessary. Compression of the pudendal nerve should certainly not be taken lightly, even if the symptoms seem to subside when standing or lying down. However, there's no need to panic. Proper positioning on your bike and a few treatments and tips from your physiotherapist can resolve these issues.

The sciatic nerve can also cause problems in several situations, particularly when you experience numbness in your toes. Given the complexity and extent of this nerve, the causes of sciatic numbness are numerous: lumbar instability, lack of flexibility, muscle tension, lack of motor control, etc. A good physiotherapy assessment and a bike fit by a professional at Quilicot are once again the key to optimizing your performance. Wishing you the best of seasons... without numbness!

A collaboration with Catherine Bellemare, Ph.D Evolution Physio , Mascouche

Do you want to avoid numbness on your bike? Ergonomic positioning is essential!