|
|
 We Have Poop!
Posts: 11225
      Location: dead end road | When mom was exercising my horse last night she noticed him not wanting to stay in his left lead. He is past due on being worked on by both chiro and massage, but now that we are noticing a problem where should I start? The lady that does his massages says he is always more tense on his left side for some reason or another. Just wondering where I should take him first, plan on taking him both places but would like to know where to start. Thanks |
|
|
|
 Expert
Posts: 2323
    Location: On our hill top in Iowa | I don't do the massage for my horses but I do for myself and my chiro and massage therapist always say get adjusted first then massaged. Don't know if this helps but it is what I always do and it really helps me. They say you need to get the spine adjusted first before working on the muscles. Dosen't do any good to work on the muscles if the spine is out of alinement becasue they are being stressed due to the spine being out. |
|
|
|
 We Have Poop!
Posts: 11225
      Location: dead end road | Originally written by DoubleTrouble on 2004-04-14 9:09 AM
I don't do the massage for my horses but I do for myself and my chiro and massage therapist always say get adjusted first then massaged. Don't know if this helps but it is what I always do and it really helps me. They say you need to get the spine adjusted first before working on the muscles. Dosen't do any good to work on the muscles if the spine is out of alinement becasue they are being stressed due to the spine being out. That makes tons of sense to me, being raised going to the chiro, it makes sense. |
|
|
|
 We Have Poop!
Posts: 11225
      Location: dead end road | bump |
|
|
|
 Expert
Posts: 4538
    Location: Nebraska | Well, as an equine massage therapist that does believe in Chiro too, I have a different opinion on all of this. I think you need to massage, then chiro, then a few days later, massage again. If you get the muscles free of spasm and tightness, your chiro person is going to have an easier time putting your horse in and it is going to be more comfortable to the horse. If your muscles are not in good shape, there is nothing to hold the adjustment and more than likely, you may have to have another adjustment. My chiro/vet always has me work my horses before an adjustment, and he sends several my way of other people's too. Massaging after an adjustment is just helping those muscles hold that adjustment and It makes your horse feel good too.... JMO  |
|
|
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 630
  
| I was always told massage, then chiro. |
|
|
|
 We Have Poop!
Posts: 11225
      Location: dead end road | Originally written by ride_n_slide1 on 2004-04-14 9:47 AM Well, as an equine massage therapist that does believe in Chiro too, I have a different opinion on all of this. I think you need to massage, then chiro, then a few days later, massage again. If you get the muscles free of spasm and tightness, your chiro person is going to have an easier time putting your horse in and it is going to be more comfortable to the horse. If your muscles are not in good shape, there is nothing to hold the adjustment and more than likely, you may have to have another adjustment. My chiro/vet always has me work my horses before an adjustment, and he sends several my way of other people's too. Massaging after an adjustment is just helping those muscles hold that adjustment and It makes your horse feel good too.... JMO  He is not in the best shape of his life, but has been ridden for about a month now and is getting back in shape. I have emailed my massage lady and I will see what she has to say, maybe we can get him worked on by her tomorrow or Friday, then have him adjusted on Sat. and then she can look at him again on Sunday. She just said that she needs to look at him within 48 hours after adjustment. Hopefully she will get in touch with me. |
|
|
|
  Friendly horse swapper
Posts: 4122
   Location: Buffalo, TX | Originally written by ride_n_slide1 on 2004-04-14 9:47 AM Well, as an equine massage therapist that does believe in Chiro too, I have a different opinion on all of this. I think you need to massage, then chiro, then a few days later, massage again. If you get the muscles free of spasm and tightness, your chiro person is going to have an easier time putting your horse in and it is going to be more comfortable to the horse. If your muscles are not in good shape, there is nothing to hold the adjustment and more than likely, you may have to have another adjustment. My chiro/vet always has me work my horses before an adjustment, and he sends several my way of other people's too. Massaging after an adjustment is just helping those muscles hold that adjustment and It makes your horse feel good too.... JMO  You are right! I have done horses for both chiros and vets, and they all say if you do the adjustment first, you have to have the massage within 24 hours, or the tight muscles will pull the adustment right back where it was. If you have the massage first, it loosens the tissue around the joints and makes adjustment much easier and it'll last longer. Anyone who has chiro work done without muscle work probably has to make many more trips to the chiro...they work together. If you maintain your own muscle work, you may only need the chiro once or twice a year. |
|
|
|
 Expert
Posts: 4538
    Location: Nebraska | OkieGal, I really think you will see better results with this plan and I think you will save money in the long run depending on how bad your horse is out. I think your adjustment will last longer! Unfortunately, muscle spasms and lactic acid buildup don't care how in or out of shape our horses are. Good Luck to you whatever you decide to do. |
|
|
|
"aint no Barbie"
Posts: 2272
     Location: san antonio texas | I'm lucky. My guy does both. He takes 2 hours to do my horse. He massages and warms up the muscles then adjusts. I have the best of both worlds! |
|
|
|
 We Have Poop!
Posts: 11225
      Location: dead end road | Originally written by Cindy Hamilton on 2004-04-14 10:03 AM Originally written by ride_n_slide1 on 2004-04-14 9:47 AM Well, as an equine massage therapist that does believe in Chiro too, I have a different opinion on all of this. I think you need to massage, then chiro, then a few days later, massage again. If you get the muscles free of spasm and tightness, your chiro person is going to have an easier time putting your horse in and it is going to be more comfortable to the horse. If your muscles are not in good shape, there is nothing to hold the adjustment and more than likely, you may have to have another adjustment. My chiro/vet always has me work my horses before an adjustment, and he sends several my way of other people's too. Massaging after an adjustment is just helping those muscles hold that adjustment and It makes your horse feel good too.... JMO  You are right! I have done horses for both chiros and vets, and they all say if you do the adjustment first, you have to have the massage within 24 hours, or the tight muscles will pull the adustment right back where it was. If you have the massage first, it loosens the tissue around the joints and makes adjustment much easier and it'll last longer. Anyone who has chiro work done without muscle work probably has to make many more trips to the chiro...they work together. If you maintain your own muscle work, you may only need the chiro once or twice a year. Thanks Cindy, I will email you right now!! |
|
|