Best treatment/therapy for back problems when riding

Hollycat

Hollycat

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Does anyone have any reccommendations for a good treatment for back problems related to riding? I have not been riding recently (as my horse died) and my back seems to have siezed up. When I ride I find it very difficult to sit upright as my back doesn't want to strighten and also I think my hips are stiff. Rising trot is the worst - I feel constantly pitched forward. I can keep quite a good position at canter but am in agony within minutes unless I take a forward seat. When I say agony I mean my back muscles are going into spasm and I can't breathe with the pain.

I do have problems with the discs in my lower back and my upper back has curvature problems. I know that even walking about I am not very stright in my back and lean forward and look down.I have never looked very correct as a rider but have always been effective. However I don't feel that way anymore
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I just feel useless. My last horse was working at medium as is my new shared horse, and although I don't have a problem communicating seat aids etc I know I am letting my new horse and my co-owner down
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I don't want to hurt myself by trying to ride correctly, but on the other hand I want to improve as much as is possible! I did notice a pilates instructor (she is also a riding instructor) advertising in the BD mag and was wondering if that may help?

I enjoy dressage but becasue of my bad position I have no confidence in myself as a dressage rider to the extent I don't feel I can ride in the school if anyone else is there - even though I know they will be too busy with their own riding to notice me. I am looking at new horses and feel sick at the thought of the owner watching me try the horse in case they tell me I'm not good enough for it. The confidence prob is also linked to being overweight and my life in general going very badly wrong.

If you have had enough patience to get this far you must be a saint! Any suggestions as to good treatments very much appreciated
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i've had surgery for spine curvature and its still not quite straight, causing me pain when riding amongst other things.

been having bit of physio last few weeks and she said best thing for it is pilates as it strengthens all the core muscles. I dont want to go tho i hate exercising in front of other people and i dont know anyone who would want to go with me. Might invest in a dvd and my own big daft ball thing hehe.

best thing might be to see the doc about some physio etc. IF you have bad posture that can exagerate the pain.
 
if you haven't already tried it, i'd recommend McTimoney Chiropracty. they are very gentle, just do tiny movements, no big crunches or anything, but very very effective.
if you can manage it, sessions on a rowing machine to strengthen up you core muscles, your obliques etc make a huge difference. (for instance i always collapsed forward in canter-to-walk transitions unless i remembered to brace my back and shoulders, but if i have been doing some rowing my muscles act like a girdle on my whole torso and keep me upright, stop me collapsing.)
for the overweightness, i know i keep banging on about it, but Neris and India's Idiot-Proof Diet really is a Thing Of Wonder! has made a big difference to me.
 
I would suggest (my mother keeps trying to make me do it) going to pilates or yoga classes to help build up your core muscles, balance and improve suppleness.

Obviously am not practiscing what I am preaching as yet but it is supposed to be very good for you and there's no concussive elements involved.

I would also suggest getting a sports therapy massage person to give you a going over. I had one following a hard fall on the road on my horse which resulted in a broken collar bone and subsequent stiffness/torn muscles in my whole back and shoulders. It worked a treat although she was quite tough on me (she was a physio for a rugby team!!!)
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I have a bad back from riding (who hasn't?) and I bought a pair of MBT (Masai Barefoot Technology) shoes. Now, they're not cheap but my bad back seems to have disappeared. It wasn't a sudden thing but my hubby asked how my back was and I had to admit I hadn't had any pain for ages.
Take a look on here:
http://www.swissmasai.co.uk/

I highly recommend them!
 
i see an osteopath regularly & have found this to be the best solution as they do a mixture of chirpractic & physiotheraphy techniques
 
I have a similar problem. I've not had a lesson for years because I know I have developed a way of sitting to accommodate my back injury. I've given up jumping because of my back and I'm aiming to do dressage when I get a new horse but I'm dreading when I have to start riding "how I'm supposed to" as oppose to how I've taught myself to sit to cope with my back pain. Chiropractors can help when the pain is really bad but I know they can't fix me long term.

I've got a Solpadine digital pain relief little machine which helps. I also plan to compete dosed up to the eyeballs on painkillers!
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Thanks for the ideas guys
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My GP is pretty useless so I may have to go privately but I think you are right that I should get an initial check over then think about pilates and yoga. I have checked my local gym timetable and there are pilates and yoga classes so am going to put my name down for a couple of beginners classes next week.

In the meantime I will have to dose myself up with painkillers to get this mare exercised the next few days! I may have to accept that I will never be very stylish on a horse, but as long as I am effective that matters more.
 
I like the look of the shoes too and must order this diet book! Weight probs are due to medication but I will try anything (well, excpet speed and tapeworm eggs)
 
Ive been through the mill with my back many times over the years and have tried many conventional and alternative treatments.

The one thing that has truly sorted me out is Bowen Therapy. Its incredibly gentle, much less invasive than massage/chiro and really has worked for me.

My horses also have Bowen and Ive seen many animals changed in a very short space of time using this technique.

This is my therapists site but a search will throw up quite a few others which will give you information and possibly a therapist in your area.

http://www.holistictherapiesforall.com/
 
Thanks for the link spaniel. I may give her a call and see if she is ever over my way as I think its preferable to get someone that rides too and understands the stresses of riding on the body
 
Hi Hollycat,
I know exactly how you feel!
I have put on masses of weight over the years due to injury, surgery and well, age I guess! lol!
I broke my back a few years ago and I found an exercise ball was great for building up my core muscles and also fabby for practicing my riding position!
You can sit in the house on your ball and bounce up and down as though doing trot, fab for your balance (be prepared to overbalance a few times) but no-one to watch and laugh at you!
Best of luck, and hope you find a replacement horse soon.
 
OOOO - the ball is a good idea too. I volunteer at a charity shop on Saturdays and I know they have one in stock - with its own pump!!!!
 
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