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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
  
| I've got some pretty major pelvic and lower spinal issues that light up like Christmas on scans and X-rays. I was also having balance problems due to this. I did the chiropractor thing, massage, blah blah, nothing helped.
My fix?
Bought an amazing saddle that truly fit me and my horse. Went with CSI pad, the difference under saddle is beyond noticeable. Went to a clinic to help me readjust my riding. Lost 25 lbs through good nutrition. Started a running program and stuck with it. 100 sit-ups a day, no exception. 25 squats whenever I go to the bathroom.
My back problems are still there, but the pain is gone. My body is strong. My riding reflects these changes, as do the times on the clock. I strongly feel that people with skeletal and muscle problems need to be doing more, not less. Take 4 Advil and get to work! It will get better. | |
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | classicpotatochip - 2016-03-24 9:41 AM I've got some pretty major pelvic and lower spinal issues that light up like Christmas on scans and X-rays. I was also having balance problems due to this. I did the chiropractor thing, massage, blah blah, nothing helped. My fix? Bought an amazing saddle that truly fit me and my horse. Went with CSI pad, the difference under saddle is beyond noticeable. Went to a clinic to help me readjust my riding. Lost 25 lbs through good nutrition. Started a running program and stuck with it. 100 sit-ups a day, no exception. 25 squats whenever I go to the bathroom. My back problems are still there, but the pain is gone. My body is strong. My riding reflects these changes, as do the times on the clock. I strongly feel that people with skeletal and muscle problems need to be doing more, not less. Take 4 Advil and get to work! It will get better. ^Lots of truth here.
I don't run, but walk A LOT. Walking briskly with correct posture makes a huge difference. Get in shape, any extra weight will make these issues much worse. Get out there and move. Work on core strength - there's lots of exercises that aren't particularly difficult - but they make a difference. I'd recommend a good physical therapist to get a plan together for you. Chiropractors would always help me for a couple of days, but no lasting relief. I've done the 'crooked riding' deal before when I hurt like hell, it's no bueno - don't let yourself get in that habit......take 4 advil 3 hours before you ride. If I'm having a bad day, I also use one of the copper back braces (get it at CVS, best $20 I've ever spent.) It seems to help keep things a bit looser and warmed up.
Some saddles seem to work better than others. Sibleys seem to work well for a lot of people with these kind of issues. (I had one and loved it, but it doesn't fit my current ride.)
Edited by MS2011 2016-03-24 10:02 AM
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Veteran
Posts: 111
| I've had this problem as well. I quit riding to go to college and law school and it took me a long time to get my riding back. I always felt like I was riding with my weight forward and in one stirrup versus the other.
I've focused on it a ton, and I've realized a lot of my problem is that my back is so strong that it overcompensates for my weak core muscles. So, rather than being balanced and relaxed and engaging my core muscles, I do everything with my back. I've been going to crossfit and upping my strength in my overall body and core, and I'm already riding better.
Stick with it. I've been 3 years remembering how to ride again. Never thought I'd ever had to think about it. | |
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Sock Snob
Posts: 3021
| i have had 2 back sugeries and i also have rheumatoid athritis, i will stat to get stif and get a massage and it will loosen my muscles an if do regualer like a month i stay real loose and keep my range of motion. the massage helps me a lot with my back pain. | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 520
| Thank you for the replies. I went to the chiropractor wednesday and my pelvis was tilted and my sacrum as well. Didn't really notice it until he adjust it, I feel like I am walking differently now! I am going to go back a bit sooner this month so I don't let myself get to out of adjustment and to the point I am sore. I am much happier with this new chiropractor I have been seeing.
I do admit I haven't been very active all winter and put on 5 pounds, I still am not a heavy person (125 lbs) but I guess 5 pounds does make a difference when its not weight from muscle! I was not having as many problems in the fall, probably because I was in better shape myself. I guess the cold bothers me so much I just am not as motivated to get outside and do things. We have a landscaping/excavating business and we also love to hike so I don't really have to worry about getting more exersize in the summer. We have been brush clearing, weedwhacking, dragging out trees by hand the last 3 days and wow is it kicking my butt!! Made me realize how out of shape I really am! I am going to go back to just riding bareback for a little bit until I strengthen my muscles up.
Edited by Buckles 2016-03-26 7:07 AM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 680
Location: Texas | To help maintain your adjustments longer, start doing some pelvic stabilizing exercises like double leg bridges, side laying clam shells, and bird dogs/arm leg opposition. You can find how to do all of them online. Stabilizing exercises are crutial to maintaining your adjustment! | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 899
Location: Idaho | Buckles - 2016-03-21 5:32 AM
I have not tried massage. I had been going to the chiropractor 2 times a week, and now am down to once a month. I think I need to go at least a couple times a month again though, lately by the end of the month I am in a lot of pain. I do have a rib that keeps getting out of place since thanksgiving, its really bothering me again right now. Its the top rib right up by my neck, my shoulders look lopsided.
I also have muscle spasms in my neck that I have been dealing with for the last 3 years. It was so bad at one point they thought I had a braid tumor because I was so dizzy and they couldn't find anything else wrong with me. That is the only MRI I have had, it was just of the my head not any of my back, my insurance would not approve an MRI of my neck. Long story short it ended up my muscles were spasming and putting pressure on the nerves in my neck, why I was so dizzy. They had me on a lot of muscle relaxers and pain pills, but all they did was make me sleep so I don't take anything anymore. It hasn't been that bad lately, but the cold weather does bother me and when I am under a lot of stress my neck cramps up pretty bad and I get short periods of dizziness. I don't ride when its really cold. Soo yea... I am a mess.
And now.... my horse currently has a sore back, right along is loin. I don't know if its from my riding, or because he tripped and went down when we were trail riding on friday. I don't know if he tripped because of me or because of his boots. He is wearing easyboots right now because his feet were in such bad shape the farrier wanted his foot to grow out some over the winter. I need to get his shoes on, he is too clumsy in the boots. I have a call in to the chiro/acupuncture for him, just haven't heard back from her yet.
I obviously do not want to hurt him. I try to get off and walk if we are trail riding and I get tired as that is when I tend to twist the most. I may just need to go back to riding in just my bareback pad for a while.... once we are both not so sore and my boy has his shoes back on that is. Its just incredibly frustrating. I loooove to ride but when I am continuously tipping my saddle and can't ride right I just feel like I should give it up.
Hey Buckles,
I broke my back about 2 years ago. I couldn't walk for a while and my recovery time was a lot quicker than usual, because I had a really good team put together for myself. You know, it is funny because when it comes to our horses we have a slew of people waiting on their beck and call, I am pretty sure I have more vets, chiros, farriers, dentists etc. in my phone than for me! But in my experience it's super important to have a good team to keep you going.
Upon reading this, first thing that speaks to me is that your ribs keep going out. I would seriously reconsider your chiropractor. Even with my injuries, I still only needed to see my chiro once a month after he compressed and realigned my spine, simply for maintenance and pain. The fact that your ribs keep going out, I would consider finding a GOOD massage therapist to loosen up those muscles, one that will listen to you and focus on the problem area's (mine would always work mainly on my hips/back/shoulders and neck. She broke up all the scar tissue in those area's)... because if those muscles are tight, even if you have a good chiro your muscles will not adjust and force them back out of position. Also because of your muscle spams, that too a good chiropractor could help with because you might have something pinched somewhere.. a chiro/MT will be able to help with that. Also you might want to consider a joint supplement.. There are a lot of natural herbal supplements that relieve the inflammation in your joints, and not just help relieve your pain but get to the source of the problem.
As for your horse, sounds like he needs a good chiro to in order to readjust his back and hip. Could be from an ill fitting saddle, or an old injury or who knows. You say that he's clumsy.. ever think about riding him over ground poles? It will help him to learn to pick up his feet, and will also help you build your balance. Try and ride him in those boots in an arena, teach him to pick up those feet to prevent him from tripping, hurting himself and hurting you.
Lastly, have you looked into the Deb Sibley saddles? They are pricey but I know a lot of people who have bad backs, and they are able to ride in comfort without soreness during and after because it is a treeless saddle. I had one for a while and was amazed the difference, I have bad knee's and hips and I was able to get off and walk off like I didn't just ride when I was done. I had to sell the saddle though, it didn't fit my horse.
Sorry for the book, hope this helps. But I seriously reconsider your chiropractor and get a good MT. | |
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