In pain whilst riding.....need some advice

olop

olop

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I have a pelvic condition that is really affecting the way I ride.
My OH has said he has noticed that when I ride I am crooked & ride out of the saddle. My boy is not the easiest of rides & I am finding he is counter acting on the way I ride (he rushes & tanks off) & I think it is where I am riding different to counter act the pain.

I have a trainer that is riding him twice a week for me as I have been having some difficulties with him but she says she can find nothing wrong whilst riding him & when she watched me she also noticed the crookedness but when I explained about my condition she didnt really have anything helpful to add except to see my GP.

I go to pain clinic every month & am also under a gynaecologist but they have said that I should be able to continue to ride as I am (but obvioulsy them not knowing what I am going through dont really understand what I am getting at!)

I am on numerous pain killers but they do not seem to help me when I ride. I have had to give up a lot of things in life becauseof this condition & I am determned that I will not give up the one thing I love.

Does anyone have any advice for me??
My OH has suggested I go have a simulator lesson to see if I do it on a mechanical horse as it maybe that where my boy is quite a difficult ride that I am also counter acting against him.

Anyone here been in the same boat??
 
I think a simulator sounds like a good idea, like your OH says.

I do ride a bit crooked but I'm not in pain, just lopsided:rolleyes:

If it's muscular pain do you warm up and cool down before and after riding? A proper warm up before you get on board might really help, tbh we should probably all warm up before we get on board - it's just not really the done thing, is it? But it probably should be!
 
Having a go on a simulator sound a good idea but an even better one would be sorting the problem that is causing you so much pain. Can't they do anything ? It must be dreadful to suffer pain all the time. Sometimes we don't make enough fuss....
 
Unfortunately its an internal problem & incureable :( The only way they can manage it is with pain relief (I have been operated on 5 times for it & tried various treatments they recommended but to no avail) so for now I am going down the pain relief route - but not very succesfully.

I do warm up & cool down with my boy before I ride & I find no difference (although it probably wouldnt make any difference as its not a muscular problem)

Thank you both for the replies - will see if I can get a simulator lesson booked or even a schoolmaster lesson to see if I do it then.

Its just getting me (and my boy!) really frustrated now as I know he can go beautifully if ridden correctly from the seat but I am finding it increasingly difficult to use my seat when I ride.
 
Can you get an appointment for a pain clinic? If nothing else they can make sure your on the most suitable pain killers. New consultant recently changed mine after 10 years & was drastic improvement in level of pain relief. Also give things like acupuncture a go. May be a session every couple of weeks (may be able to have it on NHS) helps keep lid on it.
 
try a simulator... cos then you'll be able to see how much you are wonky (if at all)... they tell you how much weight is in each stirrup etc... you might not be as unlevel as you think. and you might find a way of counter-balancing.
also, have you thought about trying a saddle with a narrower waist/twist (the bit between your legs) if it would work with your horse...

also, try Bowen therapy... but i would say that!

good luck! xxx
 
Do you have Endo by any chance - not meaning to be nosy but my riding has definatly suffered because of it after going through lots of ops
 
pip6 said:
Can you get an appointment for a pain clinic? If nothing else they can make sure your on the most suitable pain killers. New consultant recently changed mine after 10 years & was drastic improvement in level of pain relief. Also give things like acupuncture a go. May be a session every couple of weeks (may be able to have it on NHS) helps keep lid on it.
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I see the pain clinic once a month already, they are fiddling with my meds at the moment as we have tried loads of different ones but they either work & have bad side effects or dont work at all.
I have never tried accupuncture before, it may be something I can have a look in to, thanks for the suggestion :)

Pilib said:
I wonder if you could try side saddle? Do you think that would help with the pain? x
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Im not sure I suppose it depends if I am really crooked or not & whether it is the pain making me do it or if my boy is kind of throwing me there if you see what I mean.

Rhandir said:
Pardon me for asking, but is your condition sacro illiac related or something else. PM me if you prefer.
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No it isnt - I wish it was sometimes! It is Endometriosis :(

clipcloppop said:
try a simulator... cos then you'll be able to see how much you are wonky (if at all)... they tell you how much weight is in each stirrup etc... you might not be as unlevel as you think. and you might find a way of counter-balancing.
also, have you thought about trying a saddle with a narrower waist/twist (the bit between your legs) if it would work with your horse...

also, try Bowen therapy... but i would say that!

good luck! xxx
Click to expand...

Thank you - will definitely give the simulator a go, Im not sure Bowen would help me as its not a muscular problem :(

Nagling said:
Do you have Endo by any chance - not meaning to be nosy but my riding has definatly suffered because of it after going through lots of ops
Click to expand...

Yes it is - horribly frustrating isnt it?? I was hoping to maybe getting my boy affilated (show-jumping) but to be honest I really doubt I am going to get there unless I can get this pain sorted out :(
Can I ask what you feel when you ride (PM me if you prefer)
 
Your idea of riding a schoolmaster seems good to me. Can you try riding something that's a different size and shape to your horse, as it could be something narrower for example could be more comfortable?

My sympathies, I have other "problems" that can affect my riding and it is so frustrating.
 
This may sound like a stupid suggestion, but as the condition does not need the pain to protect your system, could you look at hypnotism to reduce the pain? I would not suggest this if your condition could be made worse by you working your body when it is in pain. It may well be worth a look at in this situation. Hope you find some relief and get to continue enjoy your riding.
 
I understand that the original cause of you problem is not muscular but I wonder if the way you are holding yourself to minimise the pain is affecting your muscles. If that is a possibility, I recommend that you see a private physiotherapist. Completely different from your problem but I had an accumulation of problems which resulted in my collapsing at work. after a trip by ambulance to A&E, a trapped nerve was diagnosed
and a referral made to NHS physio. The waiting list was so long that my GP suggested going privately. The physio was brilliant, found all kinds of problems, which I knew about but had got used to and just lived with. They were making me crooked and the 10 or so sessions have made a real difference.
I suggest private treatment, as I have experience of NHS only being able to treat the part of the body that you have been referred with, so they will never find any other problems.
I, too, have had and seen good results with acupuncture and have also used a simulator to good effect.
 
I think you need to know for definite why is it you're crooked? is it because that is more comfortable for you, It may have been more comfortable at one time and so now is a learnt habit and position?
I understand its not muscular and internal etc. but have you tried pilates/yoga strengthening your core and posture will make the side which is a little weaker stronger
I'm doing a study on pain at the moment and there are so many other methods out there that medications, your pain clinic should be able to advise on these, I accept they're not for everyone, a friend of mine (is a nurse) has recently had acupuncture and says it was fab! She's struggled with endometrial pain for years, was impacting on work etc. and so now shes having regular acupuncture...

Really hope you can get something sorted :) x
 
Hi.
I dont have exactly the same problem as you, but ive had several injuries to back, pelvis and shoulder.
Each of my 2 horses 'show' my weeknesses in different ways. My tb really takes advantage of the fact that im not as strong on the left leg. On the other horse i sit crooked and tip to the left.
I also know that when im in pain, my posture changes to protect myself from hurting more.
I found pilates, and private physio really helpful, not just for riding, but to control everyday pain. I know its expensive, but maybe think about having a couple of sessions to get an assessment, and some exercises you can do at home.
Kx
 
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