Horseback riding is an increasingly popular pastime. Whether you own your own horses, take riding lessons, or go on trail rides on a regular basis, you want to be sure that you are protecting your spine by riding the right way. Why can horseback riding lead to back pain if you are not careful? If you are already experiencing back pain, what can you do to ensure that you don’t have to give up your favorite relaxing hobby? Here are some tips.
How May Horseback Riding Lead to Back Pain?
Falls are one thing and need to be addressed based on the injury sustained in the fall. However, today we are going to take a look at how chronic back problems may develop over the course of years of riding. What is the main issue that is caused if you ride regularly?
Riding can result in compression on the spine and the spongy discs between the vertebrae. As a result, the spine or hips may become misaligned. This can lead to back pain. You also have to worry about wearing down the discs prematurely or causing one to bulge and press on a nerve.
This is because the spongy material of the discs is designed to absorb shock. However, when you ride a horse, you put a lot of extra strain on these discs – they have to absorb a lot more shock than usual. If you have even a slight misalignment, combined with the extra shock, the discs can wear unevenly or prematurely and lead to arthritis type issues in the back.
Therefore, repetitive riding can lead to chronic pain or muscle spasms. If riding is one of your favorite activities, this probably isn’t the news you wanted to hear. But there is some good news too. By working on your form, you can limit a lot of the wear and tear. You can also do a lot of good by keeping your spine properly aligned so that it can absorb the shock properly without uneven wear. That means a chiropractor may be able help you to keep enjoying your hobby for many years to come!
Chiropractic Care in Fairfax, Virginia
If you live in or around the Fairfax, Virginia area, Dr. Ward will be happy to help you keep your spine aligned so you can avoid or overcome the back pain that often accompanies horseback riding. To schedule an appointment at Ward Chiropractic & Rehabilitation, just call 703.672.1661 today, or you can request an appointment via our website.
