Well ...... It seems like its been forever since I was here.  Back in 2009 I noticed I had a back problem and couldn't cycle anymore.  I have gone from being a candidate to having back surgery to being very close to (fingers crossed) being able to ride my bike again!

I found I could only bike for 45min. max and then I would have minor back discomfort, anything longer and I could be laid up for a day or more.  I took my bicycle to a professional cyclist to get "bike fit". They have you cycle on a trainer for 20min. to get warmed up and then put you through your paces. They want to see how you move on the bike, is your alignment correct are you seated properly do your knees and ankles move properly. After all this the pro said he could find no faults with me or my bike and felt bad taking my money, which he did anyway.

I started doing Pilates because everyone I talked to said I had a poor core and a good core helps your back. After that only made things worse, I went through 3 physio therapists, 3 massage therapists, one chiropractor who could not find the cause of my back problem. I was rear ended in two separate car accidents which did not help any. My chiropractor said I should join a gym and recommended "Slim Gyms", by this time I was in bad shape, I couldn't even break a sweat at the gym. For 2 years I have been going to the gym and when I felt I was doing good my back would act up and I would be out of commission for a few weeks. A couple months ago I was having a horrible time at work, could get comfortable, always had back issues and thought I can't live like this any longer. My doctor said I should walk more, I did, I walked 5km each day for 3 days and then I was off work for a week, what does he know! Maybe a little OCD on my part here.
 
My wife and I went to a trade show and there was a Chiropractor there, we talked to him and I made an appointment. I was stuck, I had to do something, I couldn't live in my condition any more. After my initial visit he was confident he knew what my problem was, I had a common hockey, bicycle injury! He suggested 2 visits twice a week for 12 weeks. His diagnosis was that my Psoas muscles were so tight, they are causing my pelvis to be tilted forward to such an extent they herniated a disk in my back. I can report I am doing great, I am able to increase my workout at the gym and I do break a sweat now. I'm not guarded in what I do, I'm in my workshop on the weekends doing stuff, I haven't done stuff in years. I have the bike on the trainer waiting for my last visit with the chiropractor, I've promised him I won't try and ride till I'm done the 24th visit. Fingers crossed that I will be biking this spring.