Horseback riding is a rewarding and exhilarating sport, especially if you do this frequently and are building up a relationship with the horse. However, this sport doesn’t come without risks. Riders, whether beginners or seasoned equestrians, may find themselves susceptible to injuries due to falls, sudden jerking movements, or repetitive stress on the body.

When dealing with these injuries, you may consider every avenue for recovery. Fortunately, chiropractic care can play a crucial role in the recovery process and avoiding future injury. If you’re an avid horseback rider dealing with a new or chronic injury, keep reading to learn more about how a chiropractor can help. 

Common Horseback Riding Injuries

There are several injuries frequent horseback riders may experience. These injuries include: 

1. Whiplash and Neck Strain

Sudden falls or jolts while horseback riding can cause your neck to snap back, leading to whiplash and inflammation. This is a common injury, especially after a fall or sudden stop. Symptoms of whiplash may include chronic neck pain, headaches, and limited range of motion. 

2. Lower Back Pain

Horseback riding requires maintaining proper posture and engaging your core muscles. Over time, this can lead to lower back strain. Without treatment, this repetitive stress or incorrect posture can result in chronic back pain. 

3. Spinal Misalignment

Falls, especially hard, unexpected falls, can knock your spine out of alignment. Even minor misalignments can cause discomfort or interfere with your body’s natural movement and function. 

4. Hip and Pelvic Misalignment

The repetitive movement of posting and sitting on a saddle can lead to strain on your hips and pelvis. This strain may lead to discomfort, tightness, and reduced mobility, making it difficult to ride, walk, and perform everyday activities without pain. 

5. Shoulder and Arm Injuries

Riders often use their upper body to control the horse’s reins, which can result in shoulder or arm injuries, especially if there is a sudden pull or jerk. Overuse of the muscles can lead to strains, and a fall may result in more severe injuries like dislocations.

How a Chiropractor Can Help

While horseback riding may result in a variety of injuries, riders may be weary about how they choose to recover. They may be nervous about using pain medications and may want to avoid surgery. If you are considering treatment, chiropractic care is a great option for treating common horseback riding injuries.

Chiropractors use non-invasive methods to restore the body’s natural alignment, improve mobility, and relieve pain. When helping you address horseback riding injuries, there are a few treatments your chiropractor may recommend, including: 

Spinal Adjustment

One of the most common techniques chiropractors use to treat horseback riding injuries is spinal adjustments. By realigning the spine, they can reduce pain and improve mobility, allowing you to regain full range of motion and function in your neck, back, or hips. These adjustments can relieve pressure on nerves and reduce inflammation caused by misalignments.

Soft Tissue Therapy

Chiropractic care often includes soft tissue therapies like massage or myofascial release to remedy horseback riding injuries like sprains and strains. These techniques target muscle tension and scar tissue, promoting faster healing and reducing stiffness in the lower back, shoulders, and neck areas.

Prescribed Exercises

In addition to their in-office treatments, your chiropractor may recommend specific at-home exercises to strengthen the muscles around the injured area. These exercises will complement their treatment, improve your riding posture, and prevent repeat injuries. 

Posture Suggestions

Many injuries from horseback riding come from poor posture or improper riding techniques. A chiropractor can provide guidance on how to improve your posture both in and out of the saddle, reducing the risk of further injuries and optimizing your performance.

Preventing Future Injuries

You don’t just have to visit the chiropractor after you develop an injury. In many cases, consistent chiropractic care can also help you prevent future injuries. By ensuring proper spinal alignment and helping you build a strong core, chiropractors can help you stay balanced and flexible in the saddle. They may also offer recommendations for stretching exercises and routines to keep your body limber and reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries.

Avoid Persistent Injury with Muscle & Joint Chiropractic

Horseback riding injuries don’t just impact your ability to continue with the sport but also your ability to perform everyday activities. With the right chiropractic care, recovery is within reach. Whether you’re dealing with whiplash from a fall or chronic pain, a reliable chiropractic team can provide the treatment and guidance you need to heal. 

If you’re looking for a reliable chiropractic team in the Tooele, Utah, area to help rehab these injuries, turn to our team at Muscle & Joint Chiropractic. For years, we’ve provided comprehensive, hands-on treatment to patients across the greater Tooele area, and we’re confident we can do the same for you. 

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with our team to help you recover from a recent or chronic horseback riding injury, contact us today. 

Spinal disc herniation can be a painful and disruptive condition, especially if you are typically very active throughout the day. This pain can pull you away from your favorite activities. If you’ve been experiencing this pain for a while, you may begin considering your treatment options, including surgery.

However, you may be weary of seeking surgery before it is absolutely necessary. In many cases, patients would prefer to try non-invasive treatment options first. One great, non-invasive option for treating spinal disc herniation is chiropractic treatment. This treatment can provide much-needed relief, making it the perfect first step in recovery.

If you’re dealing with spinal disc herniation and would like to learn more about how a chiropractor can help you recover, keep reading. 

What is Spinal Disc Herniation? 

Your spinal discs are the rubbery cushions between your vertebrae, the bones that make up your spine. The center of your discs, also called the nucleus, is soft and jelly-like, while the exterior, or annulus, is tough and rubbery. Spinal disc herniation, also known as a herniated disc, is an injury that occurs when the nucleus pushes through a tear in the annulus.

While this injury can occur in any part of the spine, most patients experience spinal disc herniation in their lower back. This herniation may occur for various reasons, including age-related wear and tear, improper lifting techniques, and injury. If you believe you have a herniated disc, there are a few symptoms you may experience, including: 

• Numbness or tingling in surrounding tissue, arms, legs, and feet
• Sharp, radiating pain in your legs, reminiscent of Sciatica
• Shooting pain in your lower back
• Muscle weakness

However, it is important to note that you can experience spinal disc herniation without experiencing any of these symptoms. Some patients may not realize they have a herniated disc until they get spinal imaging to treat other injuries. 

Can a Chiropractor Help? 

There are many treatment options for patients experiencing spinal disc herniation. If you are looking to try a non-invasive treatment option before considering surgery, you may consider turning to a chiropractor for support. Chiropractic treatment focuses on the body’s ability to heal itself, making it a great first step on your recovery journey.

There are a few treatments your chiropractor may recommend to help heal your herniated disc, including: 

• Spinal Adjustments: One of the first recommendations your chiropractor will make when suggesting treatment for your herniated disc is spinal adjustments. They will perform gentle adjustments to realign your spine and relieve any pressure on your discs. These adjustments should help alleviate the pain you’re experiencing. 
• Advanced Muscle Integration Technique: AMIT treats many common joint and muscle conditions. It addresses muscle weakness surrounding your joints, which may lead to joint instability and injury. By strengthening the muscles around your spine, you can better support your vertebrae, treating your herniation and preventing it from recurring. 
• Ergonomic Education: In addition to their in-office treatments, your chiropractor may make ergonomic recommendations, including adjustments to your posture and lifting techniques that can help you prevent repeat injury. 
• Exercise Programs: Your chiropractor will provide you with a list of exercises to perform at home. These exercises will complement the treatments they provide in the office, helping to support muscle growth and healing as you recover. They will also help to stabilize your back, preventing future issues. 

How Long is Treatment for Herniated Discs? 

If you are experiencing spinal disc herniation, you may worry that it will take months for you to begin experiencing relief. Treatment time can vary when you rely on chiropractic treatment to remedy your herniated disc. However, most chiropractic patients find they experience relief from their discomfort two to four weeks after beginning treatment. 

Patients with more severe spinal disc herniation may find that it takes longer to achieve this relief. If you want to ensure complete healing from this injury, it is essential that you follow your Chiropractor’s recommended treatment plan. They will monitor your healing and make adjustments as necessary to ensure you get the most out of this treatment, allowing you to feel better as soon as possible. 

However, knowing when to seek emergency medical attention when dealing with a herniated disc is important. If you are currently seeking treatment and the symptoms are worsening, you’re experiencing incontinence, trouble urinating, or saddle anesthesia, you should reach out to a doctor as soon as possible.  

Seeking treatment immediately following these symptoms can prevent permanent damage or paralysis. In some cases, this may mean you’ll need emergency surgery. While this can be daunting, it is essential for protecting yourself from much more significant injury. 

Helping You Recover from a Back Injury

Recovering from a spinal disc injury can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to require surgery or long-term medication use. Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive approach to relieving pain, restoring mobility, and supporting overall spinal health. By addressing the root symptoms, you can get back to living a pain-free life. 

If you’re looking for a chiropractic team in the Tooele, Utah, area to help you recover from your disc injury, turn to our team at Muscle & Joint Chiropractic. With years of experience and a more personalized, hands-on approach, we’re confident that our team can help you alleviate pain and begin your journey toward a healthier back. 

If you want to learn more about our chiropractic treatments or schedule an appointment, contact our team today. 

If you’ve dealt with back pain and general discomfort for some time, you may find yourself considering scheduling a chiropractic adjustment. However, if you’ve been to the chiropractor before, you may have experienced a headache following your adjustment that has scared you off from considering the treatment again. 

While this symptom can be concerning if you weren’t expecting it, headaches are an easily explainable part of the adjustment process. In this blog, we’ll explain what to expect during your chiropractic adjustment, why you may develop a headache, and how to avoid these post-adjustment symptoms to get the most out of your chiropractic care. 

Understanding Chiropractic Adjustment

A chiropractic adjustment, also commonly referred to as spinal manipulation, involves a chiropractor applying controlled, sudden force to a spinal joint with their hands or small instruments. These adjustments aim to reduce back pain and improve spinal movement and physical function. It isn’t uncommon to hear popping or cracking sounds during your adjustment. 

These adjustments can help reduce or eliminate chronic back pain, improve mobility, and enhance the function of the nervous system. However, because the process involves manipulating the spine and surrounding tissues, it may lead to temporary discomfort or side effects as your body adjusts. 

Is it Normal to Have a Headache After an Adjustment? 

While chiropractic adjustments offer many patients relief and an improvement to their well-being, it is not uncommon to have a headache afterward. These headaches occur because of several factors:

• Release of Toxins: After your chiropractic adjustment, your spine and muscles will realign, leading to the release of built-up toxins in your body. You may have a headache as the toxins flush out of your body. 
• Increased Blood Flow: As your spine realigns, it isn’t uncommon to experience an increase in blood flow to your head. This increased blood flow may cause some chiropractic patients to develop a headache, especially if there is a sudden change in circulation.
• Muscle Tension: Adjustments don’t just affect the muscles around your spine. They can also impact the muscles around the neck and head, potentially leading to tension that can manifest as a headache.

Most post-adjustment headaches are mild and should resolve within a few hours. By the 24-hour mark after your appointment, you should be able to return to regular activity. If the headache doesn’t go away, it is best to reach out to your chiropractor for support. 

Other Post-Adjustment Symptoms

Headaches aren’t the only symptoms patients may experience following a chiropractic adjustment. Some other symptoms you may experience after an adjustment may include: 

• Soreness and Stiffness: It is common to feel some muscle soreness and stiffness after an adjustment. This soreness is similar to how you may feel following a workout. This pain occurs as your muscles adapt to their new alignment and should subside quickly.
• Fatigue: Some chiropractic patients may feel abnormally tired after an adjustment. This fatigue is a result of your body healing and recalibrating after the adjustment. 
• Dizziness or Lightheadedness: While uncommon, patients have reported a temporary effect on their sense of balance, leading to dizziness or lightheadedness. 

How to Avoid Headaches and Other Symptoms 

Although post-adjustment symptoms like a headache are harmless, there are a few steps you can take to minimize the likelihood of experiencing them. If you want to avoid these symptoms, consider:

• Drink Plenty of Water: In the days leading up to and following your adjustment, make sure to drink plenty of water. Drinking water helps flush out toxins released during treatment, reducing your likelihood of developing a headache. 
• Take a Few Rest Days: While you may be itching to get back to the gym after your chiropractic adjustment, it is best to avoid strenuous activities for a few days. Returning to physical activity too soon can exacerbate symptoms, like a headache, so it is best to take a few rest days out until symptoms dissipate. 
• Communicate with Your Chiropractor: If you’ve had an adjustment before and experienced headaches, let your chiropractor know before future treatments. They can adjust their techniques and provide specific advice to help mitigate these symptoms. 
• Consider Gradual Adjustments: If you are new to chiropractic treatment or find that you have an especially sensitive system, your chiropractor may suggest a more gradual approach to adjustments. These gradual adjustments allow your body to adapt more comfortably to major changes. 
• Monitor Your Posture: After your adjustment, keep a close eye on your posture. Maintaining good posture throughout the day can support the benefits of your adjustment and reduce the strain on your spine and surrounding muscles. 

Adjustments and More at Muscle & Joint Chiropractic

Experiencing a headache after a chiropractic adjustment can be an unpleasant part of the process. However, with proper care for your body and an open line of communication with your chiropractor, you should be able to alleviate these symptoms. If you are looking for a chiropractic team in the Tooele or Grantsville area to help you reduce back pain and more, turn to our team at Muscle & Joint Chiropractic.

Since 2019, our team has provided comprehensive and compassionate care to patients across the area. Unlike the competition, our team spends dedicated time with you, creating the perfect treatment plan to alleviate any pain you’re experiencing. With us on your side, you can trust that you’ll be your best self.

If you would like to schedule a chiropractic adjustment with our team or have any questions about our services, don’t hesitate to contact us today.