My Lower Back

[phillipa]

I've had a lot of lower back problems and I've been given a lot of exercises to strengthen the pelvic region. Pilates is good for that. I also see a chiropractor, but i don't know whether that would help much in your case.
See if there are any pilates classes near you and explain to the instructor what your problem is.
Good luck with it.

Incidentally my chiropractor says that riding is excellent for backs (the problems come from working around the yard) he says it's because when you ride a horse your back is in it's most natural position - you don't slouch, etc - some people even find riding helps improve back pain.

Phillipa

[Rachel]

Thank you Woody, Kathy and phillipa. I am slowly correcting it, but as I'm reasonably young (14) is that still too late to change the shape? It doesn't hurt, only aches when I try to correct it, but it does affect my riding - the reason for me being so p***** off!

[deborah knowlson]

I can also recommend McTimoney Chiropracter, Annette Penny.  I have a prolapsed disc and have suffered from chronic back ache for years.  I have tried chiropracter, osteopath, Bowen technique, therapeutic massage but none worked.  Annette travels all round the country and is fantastic at treating your horse too.  She charges £40 for people and £60 for the horse and its worth every penny.  

Her mobile no. is 07974 567238.

In fact she treated me just yesterday up in Cheshire cos I'd put my back out ... of all things ... swinging a golf club!  
 

[Fred]

For sure back problems are no fun, good luck
   

[Rachel]

I have an update - it's getting better!  B)  But only slightly. :(  Jazz certainly seems much better balanced now I know how to compensate for it whilst riding (thank you Della!). But it's still a problem. It's still visible (easily), and I swear that it's worse some days than others. Is that possible?

 

[virtuallyhorses]

Hi Rachel, I have this problem too.  I have great discussions with my teacher about how I can have the correct alignment, go into a chair seat or even be slouched on the sofa and STILL my pelvis is not the 'neutral' shape described.  First, if the lordosis is structural then there's little that chiro's etc will do apart from take your money and perhaps give a temp fix however I've found that there are things you can do which VERY slowly will help.  

1. Build up your stomach muscles (urrgh) - this is really important, lower abs in particular
2. stretch your hamstrings
3. Practise your new pelvic 'tilt' as often as you can (this helps me the most) as this will do both 1 & 2 a little each time. Do it in the car, on the bus, in bed, waiting in queues - each time it will get a little better and your lower abs will start to kick in so that it isn't quite so hard each time...
the ache you feel is the stretch of muscles, tendons and ligements that are trying to bring you back into the 'bad' shape - your abs need to be strong enough to balance these and you need to gradually stretch them (tendons and ligaments are very slow to reshape)   Good luck - its a pain (literally) but it can be done - and BTW yes, some days are total rubbish and you'll feel like you have no control again  :blink:

[Rachel]

Thanks VH - I guess I'll just keep trying then!