After some years of riding horses, many riders start noticing that they start suffering from chronic back pain, particularly pain in the lower back. This can affect their mobility and the pleasure of the sport, as well as performance. But there’s no reason to accept back pain as the norm. There are many steps one can take to avoid worsening their condition while riding. There can be plenty of reasons behind back pain while riding, with the most common ones being poor riding form, improperly fitted saddles, and other health conditions that add on to the pain. Here are some things that you can do to keep back pain at bay.
Seek expert advice
The most important consideration to keep in mind is whether your back pain is caused by a more serious underlying problem. You need to visit a doctor to find out what exactly is going wrong with your back. If you have an injury that is causing the pain, you need to take certain steps to ensure that you will not be in any kind of health danger.
The doctor might prescribe you pain medication or steroid shots or refer you to a physiotherapist. They can help correct your posture or help relax tensed-up muscles through exercise. Sometimes, the injury can be severe, and this may cause the doctor to recommend something invasive such as surgery. Be prepared to give riding a break if necessary.
Get a trainer
The next step you should take is toward fixing the poor posture and alignment that is causing your back problems. Sometimes, these riding habits may be so ingrained in you that you are not even aware of where the mistakes are. This is why it’s important to hire a trainer who can observe you and tell you exactly what your problem is.
You may need to wear a back brace or a type of belt to help with your posture. They can teach you about different ways of riding or may recommend a different type of horse that fits your needs better. It’s important to remember that men and women have different problems, so getting help from a specialist trainer might be a good idea.
Work on core strength
Another important thing to keep in mind is that there is a lot you can do by yourself. You should work on improving your core strength as this will automatically solve a lot of the posture issues that you may be experiencing. Taking classes such as aerobics, Zumba, or Pilates often help athletes maintain form. You can perform routine abdominal workouts such as crunches and push-ups. But keep in mind that there are certain workouts that can actually worsen your back pain. It’s best to consult a trainer on what types of workouts are safe for you.
With the right coaching and making positive changes, you can be expected to get back on the horse free of pain. The important thing is to take it easy and know your limits.