My Lower Back is Completely Frozen!

Barbara F · Grand Prix

My Lower Back is Completely Frozen!

MagsNMe · Advanced

Alas, not a one. I had my back go into spasm over a fence on day, I just had to ride it out til I could get seen.

Acupuncture eventually solved it, but that's not going to help in the short term either. Embrace it as a reminder to NOT ignore your back!!!!

prospect · Advanced

Hot tub - that is my saving grace - nothing looses up tightness better - and even better is to go from the cooler pool to the hot tub.

Hope you get some relief soon.

Marlene · Advanced

Once the muscle freeze up your best hope is rest and ice. Once I managed to undo a muscle spasm after it had set in, only by getting to treatment within a couple of hours, and it worked immediately. "Rest" in this case does not mean total immobilization, try to move very gently, but don't do anything that seems to aggravate the pain. The best resting position is probably on a firm surface, on your back, but with good support under your legs (I used a footstool when I was paralyzed on the floor for three days). Sitting is probably the worst position as it loads your spine (even more than standing and walking). Doing any of the wrong exercises in the pain phase can make things worse, so only do what your therapist says is permitted. I'm guessing that will mean riding is a no-no till you can at least mount and sit on a horse without pain. After the first day or so, or when your therpist says it's okay, then you can use heat instead of ice, but in the early stages it may not be the best for active inflammation. Good luck, take care.

Jackie Cochran · Advanced

Barbara, I'm so sorry that this is interfering with your riding. I remember when my back was bad.

When I read Marlene's answer I had the vision of you lying down on the horse's back (no saddle) on your back while someone led him around with spotters at the sides, like riding for the handicapped. Would your horse allow this?

It's probably not a good idea, but that way you could get massage and gentle manipulation of your back while still "riding" your horse.

Otherwise Hyland's homeopathic Backache remedy has helped me, but I use it at the first twinges so I don't know how it would work on a full blown back freeze-up. I wish I had known about it decades ago when my back was bad.

Barbara F · Grand Prix

Hi Guys,

I went to my osteopath yesterday and she released my VERY locked left hip, and my mid-back. What a relief! Now I can at least move! My muscles are still sore, but I'm not stuck in one position!

I'm going to try a full ride today and see how it goes. It's a bit cooler here today, so there's no fear of melting like last week!

Marlene · Advanced

Good to hear you got mobilized, these back fixers are worth their weight in gold. Please, please, find out what exercises to do to prevent this happening again. Unfortunately when we are not in full blown pain the motivation is not there to maintain the muscles, but even ten minutes a day can avoid big pain down the road. Enjoy your ride, usually the motion of the horse is perfect for keeping the muscles mobilized. I sometimes joke that I only seize up when I sit down to rest!lol.

MagsNMe · Advanced

My back got a heck of alot better when I took up dressage. Hunter/jumper used to kill my back, which, apparently doesn't take well to being hyper-flexed.

I notice we riders usually take better care of our mounts than ourselves. We'd think nothing of exercises and stretching for them daily... I guess we have to put ourselves on the priority list.

Barbara F · Grand Prix

Yes, I've been given stretching exercises which I shall be diligent in doing!

I had a lovely ride today, although my back is still quite sore. Funny how I don't feel any pain while I'm actually ON my horse! At my barn, we call that hippotherapy! ;)

Queenrider · Advanced

Eckart Meyners has several books with exercises for riders. One is specifically for dressage riders and I follow it when I need more stretching. Pilates is great for my back as well.

NaturallyUnbridled · Well Schooled

Ice is your friend when there's inflammation. Heat feels good but makes matters worse. Later in the healing process, alternating ice and heat has some benefits but always ice in the beginning. Arnica is also great for sore muscles. Chiropractors & Osteopaths, can work wonders. Acupuncture &/or Massage will help the muscles to relax once the chiropractor/osteopath puts things back in place.