News & Advice

At Physiofusion we have a lot of experience in treating riders – whether it’s fine tuning your balance and posture with a course of Alexander Technique sessions, strengthening your core with clinical Pilates classes, or getting you going again with some physiotherapy and a rehabilitation program. Whatever it is or whatever injury you have sustained we’re here to help you get back in the yard, on the saddle, riding again, and even muck out pain free!

Hours are spent improving our horses’ performance, strength and balance, and suppleness so that we can achieve perfect harmony when it comes to competition day. However, riders often forget about our own suppleness, strength and balance, or consider how these can improve the performance of us and our horse as a team. Generally, riders are a pretty robust bunch – getting barged out the way, legs and hands trapped in gates, bending over to muck out the stables, and that’s even before we get to the falling off!

BUT….. If it does all go wrong, we’re here to help!

Here are some tips for some common injuries and problems that riders suffer from.

Shoulder and upper back pain – Upper back and shoulder blade muscles are often forgotten about when working on strengthening muscles. Try half press ups or ‘fly’ exercises with light weights.

Pelvic issues – not supple enough or feeling crooked? Do you sit on your seat bones with 50% weight on each side? If not, you may have
pelvic malalignment and they often don’t correct themselves – the horse might not be crooked, you might be! So get your pelvic alignment looked at.

Not carrying your head on top of your shoulders – Work on this by sitting on a gym ball – it helps you stack up each body piece on top of one another creating a balanced upper body. Think of it like a stack of cards of plates, if one or two aren’t straight, it will affect those above.

Muscles soreness – Stay hydrated! Hydration is key to help the body remove the exercise based chemicals such as lactic acid.

Knee pain – Stretch out your knees regularly and especially when they are feeling sore or stiff!

Hip soreness – Same as the knees – move your hips regularly so they don’t become stiff and.

Lower back issues – usually caused by leaning forward or to one side. Core strength is what’s needed! You can do this through core workouts and Pilates.

Unstable lower leg – Wall side squats can help with this. Double leg to begin with and then move on to single leg squats when you get better.

AND IF IT ALL GOES WRONG:
• For bruising and sprain use POLICE:
Protection, Optimal Loading, Ice, Compression, Elevation
• Limited movement after injury
• Rehabilitation after broken bones
• Use our free Ask-A-Physio service on our website www.physiofusion.co.uk
OR give us a call at our clinic on 01282 453 110 – we’ll be happy to help!