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.