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Bicycle Stretch Test – A Simple Yet Powerful Tool to Diagnose Nerve-Related Leg Pain | Physio360 Chennai.




INTRODUCTION;

If you've ever experienced leg pain while cycling or walking, you may have wondered whether it’s just muscle fatigue or something deeper, possibly involving your nerves. That's where the Bicycle Stretch Test comes in. At Physio360 Chennai, we use this diagnostic tool to evaluate neurogenic claudication—a type of leg pain caused by nerve compression in the lower back, commonly due to lumbar spinal stenosis.

Let’s break down what this test is, how it works, and how Physio360 uses it as part of a comprehensive physiotherapy assessment.


What Is the Bicycle Stretch Test?

The Bicycle Stretch Test is a clinical test used to differentiate between vascular claudication (pain due to poor blood flow) and neurogenic claudication (pain due to nerve compression). This simple yet effective test can help physiotherapists determine the root cause of your leg discomfort.

How the Test Is Performed:

At Physio360, here’s how we conduct the Bicycle Stretch Test:

  1. Initial Position: You sit upright on a stationary bicycle and begin pedalling at a steady pace.

  2. Observation Phase 1: We monitor when and if leg pain or discomfort appears.

  3. Position Change: Once symptoms begin, we ask you to lean forward (flex your spine) and continue pedalling.

  4. Observation Phase 2: If the pain decreases in the flexed position, it strongly suggests neurogenic claudication. If the pain persists, vascular claudication may be the culprit.





Why Is the Bicycle Stretch Test Important?

At Physio360 Chennai, we believe in accurate diagnosis before treatment. The Bicycle Stretch Test gives us crucial clues to differentiate between similar symptoms caused by very different problems.

Conditions It Helps Diagnose:

  • Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

  • Sciatica

  • Neurogenic Claudication

  • Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)


Benefits of Doing This Test at Physio360 Chennai.

At Physio360, our experienced physiotherapists, led by specialists like Dr. Sakthi Vinayagam, integrate the Bicycle Stretch Test into a detailed functional assessment. Here's what makes our approach unique:

  • ✅ We combine clinical reasoning with modern physiotherapy techniques.

  • ✅ You receive a customised treatment plan based on your root cause.

  • ✅ We help you avoid unnecessary scans or surgeries with precise evaluation.

  • ✅ All our assessments are safe, pain-free, and non-invasive.

Whether you’re an athlete, a weekend cyclist, or someone who experiences unexplained leg pain while walking, this test can be your first step to recovery.


What Happens After the Bicycle Stretch Test?

Once we confirm a diagnosis through the Bicycle Stretch Test and other assessments, we begin your personalised rehabilitation journey at Physio360 Chennai. Your treatment plan may include:

  • Spinal mobility and core strengthening exercises

  • Manual therapy and nerve flossing techniques

  • Postural correction and gait retraining

  • Chiropractic spinal adjustments (if indicated)

  • Ergonomic advice for daily activities





Real Stories, Real Results

At Physio360, we’ve helped hundreds of patients walk pain-free without surgery, many of whom first came to us after failed treatments elsewhere. By identifying nerve-based leg pain using the Bicycle Stretch Test, we’ve been able to provide fast recovery and long-term relief.

Don’t let mystery leg pain hold you back from doing what you love. Physio360 Chennai is here to diagnose it right and fix it fast.


REFERENCE AND RESEARCH ARTICLE ;

1.Exercise facilitates regeneration after severe nerve transection and further modulates neural plasticity plasticityhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9673108/.


2.Exercise for Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review and Expert Consensushttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8654102/.


 
 
 

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