A Disc Herniation And What Not To Do As A Horse Rider

Do You Have A Disc Hernia In Your Lower Back?

Is Back Pain Affecting Your Riding?

Have You Been Told To Give Up Riding?

Doctors and medical professionals will always err on the conservative side and the uninformed will always view horse riding as a high-risk sport, especially with a back injury.

Well, I have written extensively on this topic, I have suffered a  disc prolapse myself and was told to never ride a horse again. I was also given many stretches by my treating therapist that increased my pain and pressure on my spinal nerves.

Many horse riders suffer from lower back

injury of some description. The disc is the most common structure injured. The advice and rehab programs that are given to many horse riders do not come from a therapist who knows about horse riding. This is devastating for those who are told to give it away.

Time to heal is very important and

understanding the biomechanics of the injury and movement patterns used in riding is essential.

If you want more information in th

is area then look at my Applied Posture Riding program. 

Stretches You Need To Avoid With A  Disc Hernia Injury.

You must avoid any stretch or exercise that pushes the lower spine into flexion.

Lumbar flexion will increase the pressure through the disc and cause it to bulge or herniate further into the spinal structures.

This increases the risk of a full-blown prolapse.

Never stretch toward the floor with a disc injury. Sitting increases the pressure through the discs. Stretching your head towards your knees puts enormous pressure on the disc. Stretches that increase the disc pressure are very dangerous, especially in the early stages of recovery.

All stretches for a disc hernia must be carefully set up and the patient must know what structure they are stretching and at what level do you push it. No pain No gain is only good if you know what the pain is.

 Be safe, learn about your injury, and return to riding with good healing, good strength, and confidence you are recovering well.

 Certain stretches may well be increasing the injury or increasing the nerve damage…be aware!  

Twisting and Sitting is extremely stressful on your disc. Avoid this type of stretching.

All stretches for a disc hernia must be carefully set up and the patient must know what structure they are stretching and how much pain can be induced. No pain, No gain is only good if you know what the pain is.

Back bending is a great stretch if done correctly.

If you want more information, contact me, and if you wish to purchase my Applied Posture Riding Program.

To learn more about RedLight Therapy and Pain watch my Equitana 2022 presentation