Aches and Pains (and other medical conditions)
Don't let aches and pains spoil either the quality or quantity of your riding. As physiotherapists we are particularly interested in how to maintain and improve your riding even if you aren't in peak physical fitness or you have a condition that potentially impairs your ability to ride at your best. Below are just a few examples of conditions that needn't prevent you from enjoying your riding with a bit of help from The Balanced Rider:
''I originally saw Kim Hayden in her Sports Therapist Role in August after severe pain prevented me from riding. She sorted the problem and gave me exercises to do to keep it from re-occurring. When she joined the Balanced Rider Team I decided to give it a go, as I was having so much trouble on the left rein. After a few sessions and doing the exercises I could feel a real difference in my movement but, here's the BEST bit, my riding ability DRAMATICALLY improved. It is phenomenal the impact and difference it has had not only on my riding, but my life. I now make a regular appointment to see Kim at the Balanced Rider once a month.I can honestly say, I physically feel 20 years younger. I don't ache any more and I CAN MOVE!!!! Whoop Whoop! Thank you Balanced Rider!!'' Cindy Watts
"Clare is brilliant I would recommend her to everyone. She is really dedicated and enthusiastic about helping her clients and takes the time to explain everything so you really understand what's going on. I have had three sessions with Clare now and after the second she had completely got rid of the pain down my legs due to bad posture which stems from being a gymnast as a child. No other physio had ever pointed this out, I had always been led to believe it was my line of work (horses, mucking out, riding etc.) which I had seriously been thinking about giving up because I thought it was the problem. Now I would never go to anybody else other than Clare, she is one in a million!" Emma Coates, Hunt groom
Low Back Pain
Low back pain affects 8 out of 10 people at some point in their lives. Most often it isn't caused by anything serious and tends to respond well to specific treatment and exercise. Usually the same muscles which tend to become weak when we have low back pain are the same muscles which we need to use when we ride our horses - namely our core stability muscles, so riding well often helps back pain (conversely riding poorly will often make a back pain worse). As Clare is an experienced physiotherapist she will be able to assess your condition and devise a specific programme for you which will strengthen your lower back and help reduce your pain whilst at the same time improve your riding seat.
"I first visited Clare as I had been suffering from pain in my lower back and left hip for six months, and although other treatments had brought temporary relief the pain kept returning. After a thorough assessment, in and out of the saddle, Clare gave me a series of exercises using a balance (gym) ball. These exercises have helped me understand how I should be using my core muscles and have made a huge difference to my health. I have now been virtually pain free for the last four months, and my riding position has improved greatly. I find it much easier to absorb my horses canter and am very impressed with the results of Clare's physiotherapy." Wendy Hodgson
"Having suffered from chronic low back pain and sciatica for many years which has effectively kept me out of the saddle for at least two, and rendered me to picking out hooves while sitting on a stool. I discovered The Balanced Rider and after just three sessions with her and a programme of exercises, I am back riding my horses, I can bend to pick out feet, carry full water buckets and even the old bale or two! Fantastic results, thank you" Jill Fuller
Low back pain affects 8 out of 10 people at some point in their lives. Most often it isn't caused by anything serious and tends to respond well to specific treatment and exercise. Usually the same muscles which tend to become weak when we have low back pain are the same muscles which we need to use when we ride our horses - namely our core stability muscles, so riding well often helps back pain (conversely riding poorly will often make a back pain worse). As Clare is an experienced physiotherapist she will be able to assess your condition and devise a specific programme for you which will strengthen your lower back and help reduce your pain whilst at the same time improve your riding seat.
"I first visited Clare as I had been suffering from pain in my lower back and left hip for six months, and although other treatments had brought temporary relief the pain kept returning. After a thorough assessment, in and out of the saddle, Clare gave me a series of exercises using a balance (gym) ball. These exercises have helped me understand how I should be using my core muscles and have made a huge difference to my health. I have now been virtually pain free for the last four months, and my riding position has improved greatly. I find it much easier to absorb my horses canter and am very impressed with the results of Clare's physiotherapy." Wendy Hodgson
"Having suffered from chronic low back pain and sciatica for many years which has effectively kept me out of the saddle for at least two, and rendered me to picking out hooves while sitting on a stool. I discovered The Balanced Rider and after just three sessions with her and a programme of exercises, I am back riding my horses, I can bend to pick out feet, carry full water buckets and even the old bale or two! Fantastic results, thank you" Jill Fuller
Musculo-Skeletal and Orthopaedic conditions
Many or us suffer or have suffered from some sort of joint or muscular aches and pains, whether caused by riding, limiting our riding or sometimes improved by riding. This might range from recovering from a hip replacement and not knowing how to go about getting fit to ride again, or how to rehab as quickly as possible after breaking a metatarsal in the foot when your horse stood on you, to work related aches and pains from sitting at a desk or in a car all day
Many or us suffer or have suffered from some sort of joint or muscular aches and pains, whether caused by riding, limiting our riding or sometimes improved by riding. This might range from recovering from a hip replacement and not knowing how to go about getting fit to ride again, or how to rehab as quickly as possible after breaking a metatarsal in the foot when your horse stood on you, to work related aches and pains from sitting at a desk or in a car all day
Rheumatology
Rheumatological conditions, such as Rheumatoid arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, and Lupus tend to be progressively limiting conditions. However with good management from yourself and your health professional team they need not be as debilitating as is often first thought. A comprehensive exercise programme where you are physically and mentally fit and healthy is vital. What better form of physical and mental exercise than riding and looking after your horses. At The Balanced Rider you can learn not only about how best to improve your riding fitness whilst managing your condition but also techniques to protect your joints whilst doing yard chores and promoting and supporting 'pacing' yourself - the key to a fit and healthy body long term.
"I have suffered from Ankylosing Spondylitis for a number of years now, so after seeing a demo by Clare I decided to book myself in. Since starting to have sessions with Clare and doing the exercises at home I feel considerably less stiff in my back; and my horse Lily is going better than ever. Clare's approach is professional, considered and supportive and I highly recommend her to anybody who suffers from a rheumatological condition." Fran Armittage and Lily
Rheumatological conditions, such as Rheumatoid arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, and Lupus tend to be progressively limiting conditions. However with good management from yourself and your health professional team they need not be as debilitating as is often first thought. A comprehensive exercise programme where you are physically and mentally fit and healthy is vital. What better form of physical and mental exercise than riding and looking after your horses. At The Balanced Rider you can learn not only about how best to improve your riding fitness whilst managing your condition but also techniques to protect your joints whilst doing yard chores and promoting and supporting 'pacing' yourself - the key to a fit and healthy body long term.
"I have suffered from Ankylosing Spondylitis for a number of years now, so after seeing a demo by Clare I decided to book myself in. Since starting to have sessions with Clare and doing the exercises at home I feel considerably less stiff in my back; and my horse Lily is going better than ever. Clare's approach is professional, considered and supportive and I highly recommend her to anybody who suffers from a rheumatological condition." Fran Armittage and Lily
Neurological conditions
Neurological conditions include diagnoses such as CVA (stroke), polio, head injuries, MS, cerebral palsy, peripheral neuropathy, shingles and many many more. Neurological conditions don't necessarily prevent you from riding or returning to riding, just think how good our GB paralympic team are, many of whom have neurological disorders. When considering riding with a neurological condition some riders need specialist care and facilities e.g. The Riding for The Disabled Association, but many more primarily
need the supervision or guidance from an experienced physiotherapist and determination from the client. As each condition is individual please contact The Balanced Rider for further information.
Case Study
Please meet Michelle, a lovely lady who only two years ago had a severe CVA (stroke) which resulted in a left hemiplegia (paralysis). With amazing determination Michelle had to learn how to move her body again and to learn how to walk again. As a lifelong rider there came a time when Michelle wanted to ride again. Michelle only introduced Clare at The Balanced Rider into
her rehab team a few months ago but is already making enormous progress towards her goal of riding Bobby Dazzler her lovely Connemara. We will keep you updated as Michelle goes from strength to strength
need the supervision or guidance from an experienced physiotherapist and determination from the client. As each condition is individual please contact The Balanced Rider for further information.
Case Study
Please meet Michelle, a lovely lady who only two years ago had a severe CVA (stroke) which resulted in a left hemiplegia (paralysis). With amazing determination Michelle had to learn how to move her body again and to learn how to walk again. As a lifelong rider there came a time when Michelle wanted to ride again. Michelle only introduced Clare at The Balanced Rider into
her rehab team a few months ago but is already making enormous progress towards her goal of riding Bobby Dazzler her lovely Connemara. We will keep you updated as Michelle goes from strength to strength