Chiropractors and horse riders

_GG_

_GG_

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So, I finally got to see a chiropractor last night. After having HH boobs from age 16, breast reduction at 19 due to starting curvature of the spine, then having Molly land on me last May...by back is royally screwed.

Sat down with the chiro, went through my history and discussed the areas that I had issues with and then he examined me and said, "You are still working full time and dealing with horses?" I said yes and he continued, "You bl00dy horse women are made of stone or something, I swear. Your back is about as bad as it can be before reaching the point of becoming degenerative, I would expect you to have been signed off long term for this". I laughed, obviously.

Woke up this morning and could hardly swallow, head full of cold and back in absolute agony after last night but off I trundle to sort the horses out just as always, as every one of us does. I think we all have something built in that says that if we can get out of bed and don't pass out, we're good to go.

Seriously though, he did say that I am very lucky I went in when I did as I was not far off having permanent and degenerative issues with my lumbar spine. The fall last year might not have broken anything, but my lumbar spine basically can't move. Where it should be able to separate and bend, it can't. My upper spine is screwed from so many years of carrying huge boobs around (they grew back to F cups) and so my upper spine was always under huge stress, but the fall last year and the damage to my lower has added to that and the two issues are now in a cycle of making each other worse. I screamed when he actually manipulated me, but not with pain...with relief. He has to do it very slowly slowly and although it's not expensive, it's £72 a week I am just going to have to find somehow because despite being in huge pain last night and today, I can move properly and it feels amazing.


Ladies and gents...if you are living with a bad back, stop putting off having it seen to. Don't bother with the NHS...it took them 9 months to get me a physio appointment after my fall...just find a decent chiropractor and get yourself sorted out as I had no idea that issues in the spine could be degenerative.

I am actually looking forward to my next appointment on Thrusday morning and I know it's going to hurt like hell afterwards again as my back is just not used to being in the right place but my word...I can feel the benefit.

Stop suffering in silence and get yourselves seen if you need to. xxx
 
Well said! I struggled for a long time with a very sore back and it was years after that they found I had a fracture that had healed extremely badly and had become arthritic. Luckily it's been medicated and with regular treatment if I get so much as a twinge it's back to the chiro for me, and touch wood it's been OK ever since, even sitting trot on the big guys. Hope your back is sorted soon! (PS I have the opposite problem - mini pancakes!!)
 
BeingKate said:
Well said! I struggled for a long time with a very sore back and it was years after that they found I had a fracture that had healed extremely badly and had become arthritic. Luckily it's been medicated and with regular treatment if I get so much as a twinge it's back to the chiro for me, and touch wood it's been OK ever since, even sitting trot on the big guys. Hope your back is sorted soon! (PS I have the opposite problem - mini pancakes!!)
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Mini pancakes, lol. I love my boobs, I really do, but sometimes I long for little ones. In truth though, I think all boobs are fab! Glad they managed to get you sorted, that sounds awful. My dad has 3 broken vertebrae missed last year, it's crazy!
 
Same with my mum, she broke her back and got called back to the hospital 2 months later as they saw a fracture - at least they checked again though to be fair, though it did seem a little odd!
 
Good to hear you're getting yourself taken care of, having watched my mum suffer years of pain having had a horse go over on her I'm slightly paranoid about my back. She's ended up having interspinal injections twice which don't work any more but is terrified of having the op to fuse the 3 degenerating discs (they've been squeezed so much they've triangulated). A good chiro (or osteo) is worth their weight in gold.
 
I'm glad you pointed out a use for them at the weekend ;) I hadn't thought of them as crash air bags before - just a bloody nuisance.

F and I used to share a chiro in Somerset, I have a wonky pelvis and well, sometimes - usually the same time so does he. I'm seeing a physio instead atm but she is very good and does as much manipulation as my chiro used to. I was also royally told off for sorting an issue out myself in the summer (knee cap shifting) with massage etc as that was actually my pelvis again and now it has travelled to my foot. She currently has me doing some additional killer pilates (which I really rate fwiw, my riding is def better!) to try and get it to stay where is should be!
 
ester said:
I'm glad you pointed out a use for them at the weekend ;) I hadn't thought of them as crash air bags before - just a bloody nuisance.

F and I used to share a chiro in Somerset, I have a wonky pelvis and well, sometimes - usually the same time so does he. I'm seeing a physio instead atm but she is very good and does as much manipulation as my chiro used to. I was also royally told off for sorting an issue out myself in the summer (knee cap shifting) with massage etc as that was actually my pelvis again and now it has travelled to my foot. She currently has me doing some additional killer pilates (which I really rate fwiw, my riding is def better!) to try and get it to stay where is should be!
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Yeah, my pelvis is tilted too and my left leg is apparently significantly longer than my right leg, due mostly to the break in my pelvis when I was young and the tilt I now have.

I used to love pilates but have found it really difficult after the fall....so I was quite glad I hadn't pushed it as the chiro said last night that it will be brilliant for me, but not yet. I'm not allowed to anything like that until he says so. I'm on a strict plan for sitting/standing/ice packs/stretches etc :)
 
Once you get more mobile again pilates and also swissball are fab for sorting out core strength and balance issues. But definitely not to be attempted for a while by the sounds of it!
 
Lanky Loll said:
Once you get more mobile again pilates and also swissball are fab for sorting out core strength and balance issues. But definitely not to be attempted for a while by the sounds of it!
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Ah, yes, he did say to buy a swiss ball when he gives the thumbs up...he said it can help to teach my lumbar spine to separate and move again :)
 
The bending over the ball is really good for stretching through your back in both directions and you can do a lot of pilates exercises on it - the ball just makes your core work harder to maintain the balance. I've been doing 2 thirty minute classes a week since returning to work after having small and my core strength is better than pre baby.
 
ester said:
yup no point doing it when you are already totally wonky.
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Oi....who said I was wonky???


Oh yeah! Actually, my spine is quite straight, he was impressed with that at least, it just doesn't want to move. My pelvis and brain however.....wonkier than a wonky thing on wonky street! ;)
 
Dear God, woman! Please be kind to yourself. If you need help, please shout, after all, you've done more than enough for me. Go easy on the exercises and I echo the ball being of help. I will send you a Swiss ball - we have numerous ones kicking around here.
 
HeresHoping said:
Dear God, woman! Please be kind to yourself. If you need help, please shout, after all, you've done more than enough for me. Go easy on the exercises and I echo the ball being of help. I will send you a Swiss ball - we have numerous ones kicking around here.
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Ah, you don't need to do that HH. As you saw, it doesn't exactly stop be doing everything. Bl00dy sore today but I think that's to be expected and it's a good sore :) xx
 
Speaking as someone who spent 2-3 years pretty crippled after some heavy falls, then yes - regular Chiro (but with the caveat of having a sports massage 3-5 days prior which seems to make the Chiro even more effective).

I did a long stint of Pilates which helped lots, although have got a bit lax about that now.

Another major thing that helped, although I didn't realise at the time, was changing cars. The driving position in my current one, plus heated seats means I get out upright and mobile now!

I've been drug free and in no real pain for about a year now and it's a revalation!!
 
ihatework said:
Speaking as someone who spent 2-3 years pretty crippled after some heavy falls, then yes - regular Chiro (but with the caveat of having a sports massage 3-5 days prior which seems to make the Chiro even more effective).

I did a long stint of Pilates which helped lots, although have got a bit lax about that now.

Another major thing that helped, although I didn't realise at the time, was changing cars. The driving position in my current one, plus heated seats means I get out upright and mobile now!

I've been drug free and in no real pain for about a year now and it's a revalation!!
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Ooooh, the car thing is very interesting. The Land rover is fine...but the Astra always makes me feel a bit twisted. Very interesting...thank you.

I also love having more faces to put to the names on here now ;) xx
 
Vauxhalls aren't renowned for their brilliant driving position. My old Ford Focus was the best for me - the Ghia seat had adjustable lumbar support and the back of the squab could be raised to open out the hip angle, plus the whole seat was actually directly behind the steering wheel and pedals ;)

If you can find a pilates teacher who teaches it as a therapy not just 'exercise' you would do better :) My lovely teacher is also a level 4 sports massage therapist, so she knows me inside out, almost literally!

Hope you keep feeling better :)
 
It took nearly 2 years of woman 'nagging' (we call it loving concern) to get my OH (Farmer) to go to see a chiropractor for his back....and boy does he now adore his monthly appointments!! He says he feels like he's been in a boxing ring he's so sore for a couple of days afterwards,...but a GOOD sore, not a bad one.

As many farmers, he's got a lot of wear and tear from the life he leads and he's now in a much much better place since he finally went to see the Chiropractor. His back is basically like a piece of glass now and everytime he pushes it a step too far (like they always do!!), he's back to square one again. His way of life will never change and like you GG, ..he gets up in a morning and gets on with it,..pain or not.,..it's just 'the way it is'.

He recently went for a sports massage and he said it's a different kind of relief from what the chiropractor does and he intends to go for another one in the near future. He says the dull ache is still there, but no where near as bad...so that can only be good! Again,..after having the massage, he felt like he'd been bruised black and blue, but in a good way!
 
Burnttoast said:
Vauxhalls aren't renowned for their brilliant driving position. My old Ford Focus was the best for me - the Ghia seat had adjustable lumbar support and the back of the squab could be raised to open out the hip angle, plus the whole seat was actually directly behind the steering wheel and pedals ;)

If you can find a pilates teacher who teaches it as a therapy not just 'exercise' you would do better :) My lovely teacher is also a level 4 sports massage therapist, so she knows me inside out, almost literally!

Hope you keep feeling better :)
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There are quite a few great ones around here thankfully and I'll be going as soon as I'm allowed. :) xx
 
Janovich said:
It took nearly 2 years of woman 'nagging' (we call it loving concern) to get my OH (Farmer) to go to see a chiropractor for his back....and boy does he now adore his monthly appointments!! He says he feels like he's been in a boxing ring he's so sore for a couple of days afterwards,...but a GOOD sore, not a bad one.

As many farmers, he's got a lot of wear and tear from the life he leads and he's now in a much much better place since he finally went to see the Chiropractor. His back is basically like a piece of glass now and everytime he pushes it a step too far (like they always do!!), he's back to square one again. His way of life will never change and like you GG, ..he gets up in a morning and gets on with it,..pain or not.,..it's just 'the way it is'.

He recently went for a sports massage and he said it's a different kind of relief from what the chiropractor does and he intends to go for another one in the near future. He says the dull ache is still there, but no where near as bad...so that can only be good! Again,..after having the massage, he felt like he'd been bruised black and blue, but in a good way!
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Blimey, it sounds like he's had quite the ride...thank goodness he had you to make him go! xx
 
_GG_ said:
Blimey, it sounds like he's had quite the ride...thank goodness he had you to make him go! xx
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LOL...I know!! That and I also 'urged' him to come up with a different way to bed the 250 odd cattle down too (straw wise), rather than him/us rolling about the big round bales about in the sheds. He cleverly used some machinery on the yard and devised his own 'round bale' straw thrower that attaches to the telehandler and does this job like this now, instead of him breaking his blumin' back rolling one of these large bales around on his tod when I'm not there to help out!

I said to him if he didn't do something about the way he distributes the straw, he was going to end up in a flippin' wheelchair by the time he was 50, the way he was going..

Men...I tell ya!!
 
Janovich said:
LOL...I know!! That and I also 'urged' him to come up with a different way to bed the 250 odd cattle down too (straw wise), rather than him/us rolling about the big round bales about in the sheds. He cleverly used some machinery on the yard and devised his own 'round bale' straw thrower that attaches to the telehandler and does this job like this now, instead of him breaking his blumin' back rolling one of these large bales around on his tod when I'm not there to help out!

I said to him if he didn't do something about the way he distributes the straw, he was going to end up in a flippin' wheelchair by the time he was 50, the way he was going..

Men...I tell ya!!
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Oh, I hear ya sista!!!

Dan did say last night that he will consider going as well. I think the idea of a wedding and actually starting a family is making him want to sort stuff out in a good way, like sort his back out, get fitter etc. :)
 
I completely agree GG my chiropractor keeps me going and I hobble in and walk out - bit sore the next day but I couldn't do without him (could do without shedding clothes down to undies but it makes me buy and wear coordinated stuff!)
 
My chiropractor made a massive difference to my lower back issues and he seems to do so little no big manipulations at all. I didn't realise until I went how bad it actually was my right arm was longer than my left as I was tilted over to one side! I'd go regularly then stop until it got bad again then have to have frequent sessions for awhile then it would be OK for months then it would come back again and I would look like the Evolution of man as I got up from my desk at work as an ape and by the time I got to the printer I was just about Homo Erectus! :D.

However I started at the gym a year ago with a great personal trainer who I see once a week and I haven't needed to go since. Carefully building up my core strength has made a massive difference as well as just building up my overall body strength. Only recently I've started to get a pain in my left buttock :o from running I think so may go back although might try a sports massage first.

Also I have a brilliant shavings fork that my sister sent me for a Christmas present a few years back - it is ergonomically designed so I don't have to keep bending. Here it is if interested.

http://www.doversaddlery.com/dura-fork-w/ergonomic-handle/p/X1-27434/
 
I don't think we realise how bad things have become until we start to get them fixed! I have had various injuries the most noticeable ones being a horse coming over backwards on me and dislocating my shoulder twice, the result being a fairly kn******d back. I went to a chiropractor years ago who helped a bit but was also very reluctant to let you out of his clutches, I ended up paying about £70 a week in the early 90's for months even when I felt much better so wasn't wanting to repeat that.

A few years ago I was feeling dizzy when I turned my head so it was x rayed and showed "significant wear and tear" for my age but other than anti inflammatories nothing was done. It got to the point that I couldn't turn my head to check for traffic at junctions when driving so I booked in for with sports massage therapist and haven't looked back. I go every fortnight and my neck is much better, my lower back needs constant attention due to my pelvis being cracked when the horse fell on me but regular treatment definitely helps. The sessions are often pretty painful but it's a "good" pain and the end result is worth it, my back is agony if I miss an appointment!

So as _GG_ says don't suffer when you can get help, we would certainly not expect our horses to put up with the pain we put up with at times!
 
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