For those of you who don't understand what radiculopathy is... when a disc bulges (or herniates) in backwards direction it can press on the nerves that form the sciatic nerve. See the picture and arrow... ouch... this causes leg symptoms including numbness and weakness. Sadly I experienced this after over training (its common in males of my age). It took 2 weeks of virtual bed rest, anti-inflammatory medication and anti-nerve pain (neuropathic pain) medication to start things settling. For many physios the idea of cycling (where your back is flexed) is not a good thing for disc problems. But I've found in clinical practice that cycling can be really helpful for radiculopathy as it gently get the nerve moving and sliding in the spine and the leg. Nerves need to move too!

MRI scan of a disc herniation causing radiculopathy

Sure enough after a gradual build up of cycling my leg symptoms have gone (much quicker than if I'd had surgery). After every session on the bike my leg felt better. I'm up to 20km moderate rides now and hope to start increasing walking (which is still a problem), kayaking and surfing soon! Stay tuned...