How many of you receive regular physio treatment?

[Casper]

Or similar types of treatment?

Is it specifically targeted toward improving your riding and do you feel it helps?

I know I can be very stiff and tight but I've taken up pilates which does help.

I also had bowen treatment in January to help with my crookedness and it did fix the issue but after I fell off a couple of weeks ago the issue is back so I think I need more treatment.

I did get refered for physio via the NHS but the physio had absolutely no real desire to help me, was generally unhelpful and actually at one point very rude.

I've had regular massages which I don't think help me much but I have some friends who use a sports or remedial therapist with great results.

If my horse seemed sore or uneven I'd call out the physio but I'm not doing much to help myself just now.

The whole issue confuses me - some people recommend physio, some chiro and other a sports massage - my bowen therapist dismissed all of these as useless claiming 2 bowen treatments is enough to fix most people - and it did work unti I re injured myself.

Just interested in what if anything others use?

[Diane Smith]

I'm currently seeing a mc timony chiro, but I've a back problem at the moment, I am twisted too and once back in place I should really take up pilates or something to keep me straight.

Just been browsing pilates dvds in amazon, but there's so many, I'm afraid I gave up looking, anyone recomend any?

My Oh went for bowen it was my idea and boy was he not happy with me, he felt much worse for having the treatment.   

[Casper]

I have the Darcy Bussle dvd which is good - I used to go to a weekly class but just can't find the time just now.

Interesting that your OH didn't respond well to the bowen - I was totally wiped after my first session but my aching shoulders and hips disappeared completely after 2 sessions (but have come back since my fall)

[Diane Smith]

Oh he absolutley hated it, and it was a few years ago now, but he still reminds me of it  I thought it was funny,

He got his revenge yesterday when I had my pelvis put back in by the chiro,     he found that hysterically funny.

The trouble with dvd's is self motivation, I'm really rubbish at making myself do exercises

[Wendy]

   I bought the Darcy Bussel dvd last week per recommendation from here - and it's still in its box  .

[Diane Smith]

I bought the Darcy Bussel dvd last week per recommendation from here - and it's still in its box 

Glad it's not just me that's like that   

[catkin]

I've got a few damaged and broken bits so I have Spinal Touch therapy every couple of months or so just to prod everything back into place. I found chiro was much too harsh. The lady who does me is also a nurse, and she knows I ride, so gives me advice for what to do in between times. Sometimes I need to have a couple of sessions close together such as after I broke my ankle last summer to sort of get everything in line again.

I am quite aware of my wonkyness so I work quite hard on being straight. I also have a small hand-held massager (think it came from the garage of all places!!) that I find useful to use to supple up before riding especially in cold weather.

PS: I wear layers of clothing when riding or doing anything physical as if I pull a muscle my whole back goes tilt - full chaps are fab!!

[Peaches]

I see an osteo on a very regular basis. I have ME, which doesn't mix with horses very well (!), so I tend to be running on a semi-perminant energy debt    which tends to lead to issues. My osteo, despite the stereotype of it being quite a rough treatment, is really quite good with the gentler techniques, which I don't find too much with the general achiness. Because of the on-going route of the issue, I see my osteo every 6 weeks now which keeps on top of my back usually, and stops everything spasming and locking up.

I use this for everyday comfort if I'm honest, but it no doubt compliments riding too, as I can't ride properly (nor comfortably!) if I'm locked up! 

As for the different treatments being confusing: definately! I have to say it very much depends on the individual practitioner. I do tend to like my osteo's (hence why I *was* going to take up the career myself!), but even their treatments vary vastly from one to another. At the practice I now use, there are 2 osteo's (and also an acupuncturist and a visiting bowen), but both those osteo's are totally different and suit different people. Once you've found somebody that works for you, they're worth their weight in gold, just like finding a decent practitioner for your horse

[crdodgeon]

I think it does so depend on the practitioner doesn't it? I go to a chiropractor who is great for me; I used to find that I felt awful after treatments at one I went to years back, but I have no such problems with the current one, and it certainly helps with my tendency to twist in rising trot. I hadn't been for a couple of months and the twist was coming back, so it'll be interesting to see what it's like on Sunday, having had a treatment this week! He also uses needles, sort of acupuncture style, particular on my very knotted shoulders, and that's helpful.

BH has had bowen and I think found it good?

But it is confusing!!

[whisper's mum]

I am straightened out by the McTim chiro every 6 months or more frequently if necessary. It definitely helps my riding. 

[Cloud_cirrus]

I'm currently have sports massage because I know I am out and my lower back is locked up.  In the past I have had osteo treatment but now find regular sports massage is enough, especially as she is very experienced and can also use some 'unlock' type techniques.

She is not a rider herself but we had a conversation about it and basically came to the conclusion that if she could get my lower back a bit looser, and my hips level, then we would both be happy.  She keeps talking about being aware of my seat bones and making sure both are evenly weighted when I sit down and is also a yoga teacher so I'm really pleased I have found her.

[Wendy]

I might have to try a sports massage I recon. Get a myself proper pummeling. 

[lisaNW]

I used to have osteo with sports massage, but like Cloud Cirrus now seem to do fine with just massage, althugh the guy I see does orthopaedic massage and its an excellent technique. Have seen McT chiro before and he was very good - but I moved to the other end of the country. Had Bowen too, did nothing for me and wasn't enamoured with the therapist tbh. I think you really do have togel with whoever works on you - I had an awful massage once (not where I am now!). But do think it's important as you really struggle to ride when you're not straight yourself...speaking from plenty of experience of that!

MTA - he isn't a rider either but very easy to discuss with and very interested in everything and totally picks up on the issues. I almost think he's better for not being a rider and seeing it all with quite fresh eyes!
Lisa

[Candypony]

I go to the chiro every 10 weeks - tried to leave it longer and got increasingly uncomfortable. Again though, I only rate the one girl at the place I go.

I also (and this was HUGE for me!) survived my first massage last weekend... Just a soft aromatherapy one to start teaching my head that it needs to accept that it won't kill me...! 

[BraveHeart]

CRD is right - I have had a few sessions of Bowen recently. It was to try and fix me as a rider, after the pain I got in my ankles meant putting any weight in stirrups was unbearable, as well as to try and free up my neck/shoulders, where my muscles are in such deep spasm that they are fusing my neck vertebrae together - when I went to see a physio about it, he just wrote my neck off and said that apart from traction there wasn't much he could do. 

The Bowen has helped with my ankles, and last time I went we concentrated on straightening me out (I grew an inch in height) and releasing the tightness in my pelvis/hips to both straighten them and open them up to help with riding. The only thing I would say though is that I am still not sorted after a few treatments and think this is because my therapist is too gentle with me! Horses for courses eh!