Journal · the Crigan Massaggi blog

Cycling and postural overload: massage for the back and knees in Turin

Whether it is the climb up to Superga in Turin, the miles through the Langhe or mountain biking in the hills, cycling demands continuous power in a flexed, constrained posture. This article explains which muscles work when you pedal and when a massage at the Crigan Massaggi studio can bring relief to your back and hips.

By Mihail Crigan, sports massage practitioner in Turin · 29 September 2026

Cyclist on a road bike among hills and vineyards at sunset
Road cycling among hills and vineyards.Illustrative image generated with AI

Muscles and pedalling efficiency

Pushing on the pedals recruits the gluteus maximus, the vasti of the quadriceps, the hamstrings, the gastrocnemius and the lumbar stabilising muscles. Pedalling is almost entirely concentric contraction: from 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock the glutes and quadriceps shorten to extend the hip and knee.

The big eccentric impacts of running are missing, so acute muscle micro-injuries are less frequent. There is, however, a different problem: chronic shortening of the anterior chains, especially if you spend hours bent over the handlebars.

Back and knees: what massage does not promise

Two recurring patterns among people who ride a lot: low back pain from a closed posture, often accompanied by a shortened hip flexor (iliopsoas), and pain at the front of the knee when the vastus lateralis works harder than the medialis. These are working hypotheses, not diagnoses.

Sharp pain, tingling, an injury or pain that gets worse in the saddle: see a doctor or a bike fit specialist first. Massage does not «save» your back, does not realign your kneecap and does not replace your saddle, cranks or a stretching plan.

What is assessed at the studio in Turin

At Crigan Massaggi, work for cyclists focuses on releasing tension in the lower back, freeing the hip flexors and rebalancing the bellies of the quadriceps, with sports massage or deep tissue massage.

Releasing tight muscles can make pedalling more comfortable. It does not by itself increase your watts. Session: 60 minutes, 60 €, Via Monginevro 76/F, Borgo San Paolo. If a clinical assessment is needed, the studio works with a physiotherapist and a physiatrist.

See also: neck massage, piriformis, Journal.

FAQ

My back always hurts on the bike: is changing the saddle enough?

Sometimes the problem is your position in the saddle, sometimes shortened psoas and hamstrings. Often both are needed: bike biomechanics and work on the tissues. Massage alone is not enough.

Does massage make you pedal harder?

A less shortened muscle can better express the movement you already train. It is not a guaranteed increase in power.

How much does it cost?

60 minutes, 60 €. Book on +39 334 858 8535.

Google reviews

4,9 / 5

average of 222 reviews

What do Crigan Massaggi's clients say?

On Google, Crigan Massaggi in Turin has an average of 4,9 out of 5 from 222 reviews. They are public and can be read on the studio listing before you book.

Read reviews on Google

By appointment

Cycling in Turin? Book your massage

Tell Mihail Crigan about your rides, climbs and where you feel stiff. Studio on Via Monginevro 76/F: 60 minutes, 60 €.

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