My back pain, and the “Back Mechanics” book summary

Have you ever experienced nagging back pain after a long ride? I have, especially after 3, 4, or 5-hour rides, and more so in races when I’m constantly pushing the limits. But recently, it got worse, peaking one day when I had to stop just 20 minutes into my ride. Red flags everywhere, right?

But what exactly is back pain? Stuart McGill’s book offers a perfect definition:

“Flawed movement patterns, repeated over and over, sensitize your back tissues and drive them to be painful even when under very low load.”

Was it because of cycling? Probably. But not exclusively.

Was it due to too much seating? Likely, especially since my back acts up sooner during afternoon rides after a full workday. And let’s be honest, my seating hygiene has never been pristine.

Was it Yin Yoga’s fault? I switched to Yin Yoga from traditional yoga for deeper stretches and relaxation, but later discovered it was pretty bad for my back. Was it the main culprit? Maybe, but I suspect not entirely.

What about strength training? I recently ramped up my strength training routine, which is short, intense, and almost daily. But my very poor frontal dorsiflexion and hip flexion might be affecting my squat form and thus my back. Is strength training to blame? Perhaps, but I don’t think it’s the sole reason.

As you can see, back pain is a complex beast. Our bodies (and minds) are complex systems. I suspect my…