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It's important to determine anatomically exactly what is causing the numbness. I ride a hybrid bicycle for exercise and like a lot of people, men especially, I suffered from perineal numbness and pain to the point I thought I was going to have to quit riding. Road bicycle seats tend to be narrow, thus not allowing the ischial bones to bear the weight, and that combined with a bent forward riding position compresses certain soft tissue structures. The problem in this case is compression of the pudendal nerves or one of it's branches. This nerve originates from the 2nd through 4th sacral nerves and eventually travels along the middle aspects of the ischia, which are the two lower portions of the pelvic bones which we sit on. A lot of people tried using softer seats or gel seats which you'd think would afford more cushioning, but what they actually did is deform more and squeeze into the pubic area between the ischiums and compressed the nerves even more, thus further aggravating the problem. The solution was designed by an ergonomic specialist who designs fighter aircraft seats, and consisted of a seat with premium quality padding but with a front to back grove cut out of the middle of the seat. This puts the pressure on the two ischial bones without compressing the perineal area between the ischia where the nerves pass. The difference in comfort is absolutely amazing.
My point is that more padding or softer padding may not be the solution depending on what anatomical structure is actually involved here. It may actually be that firmer padding is the solution because it does not deform as much and thereby does not squeeze into the area between the ischia and compress the soft tissue/pudendal nerves. Motorcycles such as sport bikes which require the rider to lean forward actually aggravate the problem because they shift the weight bearing stress off the ischial bones (which are what is supposed to take the weight bearing load when seated) onto the perineal area thus more easily compressing the soft tissue and nerves.
I think it may well be that the above phenomena may actually explain why so many people such as truck drivers etc. have such a high incidence of things like hemorrhoids because these nerves also supply those structures. It may also turn out to relate to prostate problems in men and other genitourinary issues affecting either sex. It should also be noted there are other potential contributing factors to these problems. But, if you impair the nerve supply to any structure in the body, that structure ceases to function to the degree the nerve supply is impaired. Worst case scenario, totally sever or crush the nerve and the body part it supplies dies. Such was Christopher Reeves fate.
More than you wanted to know, right? I'm just a ray of sunshine! :wink:
[ This message was edited by: ooobaby on 2006-03-29 22:30 ]
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