Laguna Hills Chiropractor and Triathlete Offers Help to Cyclists in Pain
On a bike ride from Laguna Hills through Mission Viejo and Lader Ranch, a cyclist once in pain discovers the importance of comfort on the the bike. With the help of a racer turned chiropractor, a painful neck is vanquished.
Press Release (PressBurner) Jul 14, 2009 - Orange County, California -- On any given Sunday, you might encounter hundreds of cyclists of varying abilities, clad in colorful, aerodynamic lycra, cycling every mile of Orange County roads. One of those cyclists, Dr. Scott Neubauer, has made it his mission to help other riders.
"Before I became a doctor, way back during undergrad, I worked for several different bike shops and a few bicycle and component manufacturers" reported Dr. Neubauer. "One of my responsibilities was to travel around the country and help cyclists with our products." He continued that a lucrative benefit of traveling to races was being able to compete all over the country, which he did for years as a USA Cycling Expert level racer.
Dr. Neubauer told us that he frequently encountered cyclists riding in painful "set-ups", their position on the bike, which he would help them to fix. "I've read every biomechanic-based book or article when it comes to cycling. Almost none of them focuses adequately on rider comfort."
To prove the point, Dr. Scott, as his patients call him, helped me with my position on my road bike. I am still a neophyte to cycling, having ridden over 70 miles just once. I have a nagging, aching neck pain when I ride for more than an hour.
In the comfort of his clinic in Laguna Hills, Dr. Scott attached my Specialized Ruby to a trainer and made me ride in place for 10 minutes while he went to Starbucks for a latte. Upon returning, he stated "Good, you're sweating. I think you're warmed up enough for us to get a good idea what's going on." Dr. Scott took a few measurements, hung a plumb line from several spots, and began raising and lowering the bars, seat and stem.
"How does that feel", Dr. Scott asked about 20 times. When it was all done, it felt pretty good. No, it felt very good. No pain at all. But riding on a trainer in an air-conditioned clinic is not the road. The Aliso Creek bike path runs behind Coastal Health and Fitness' office, so Dr. Scott sent me riding.
90 minutes and 27 miles later, I was back in the office. It is difficult to say whether it was the exhaustion of a fast-paced ride or the exhilaration of a pain-free ride, but it was difficult to describe to the doctor or his staff what I had experienced: no pain, total comfort and a really fast ride. "Of course" he chastised me. "What, you thought you could be fast in your old, uncomfortable, painful position?"
And this is where the fun began. "Okay, now that the bike is set up correctly, it's your turn." Dr. Scott spent the next 20 minutes teaching me a series of hip, back and shoulder exercises and stretches. "If you do these daily, you probably never see me again." I asked what happens if I stop the exercises? "You get to become a patient", he stated.
Dr. Neubauer made a point to tell me that bike fits, as they are known, is not a part of his practice. "I love to do them, but I am a doctor, not a fitter." He explained that he performs approximately 80 bike fits per year for patients who suffer pain or discomfort on the bike, but does not seek the business. "There are some really good fitters in Southern California. They are more than capable to handle asymptomatic riders. I'll take the ones in pain."
And he did. As I left his office, I met Stuart who was pushing his Ellsworth mountain bike into the clinic. Stuart said that a friend had suggested he see Dr. Neubauer for knee pain when he rides. I told Stuart he was in good hands, and suggested he drink a bottle of water and be prepared to ride before seeing the doctor.
Upon meeting Dr. Scott, he told me his goal is to treat a patient less than 5 times for any physical complaint. With my one visit to his office, he definitely made that goal.
About Dr. Scott Neubauer
Dr. Scott Neubauer is a graduate of UC Irvine and received his doctorate from Southern California University of Health Sciences. Dr. Neubauer has competed in 7 Ironman triathlons, 20+ half Ironman triathlons, 12+ marathons, several 24 hour mountain bike races and numerous paddleboard races. Dr. Neubauer is full-body certified in Active Release Technique®, a Certified KinesioTaping® Practitioner, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a Level 1 Coach for USA Track and Field.
Dr. Neubauer practices full-time in Laguna Hills, California at Coastal Health and Fitness. He can be reached at 24741 Alicia Parkway, Suite D, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 or at (949) 951-1160. For more information, visit http://www.coastalhealthandfitness.com.
