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P H Y S I O T H E R A P Y
SUMMER 2012 ISSUE
Causes and treatment for muscular back problems
The most common cause is trauma, i.e. falls,
slips or getting cast. Horses can do stupid
things especially playing in the field!
Ill fitting saddles are a major cause of
muscular problems. It is important to have
saddles regularly checked by a master
saddler. In early spring the horses are often
changing shape as the work intensity
increases so this is a good time to get
saddles checked before the season starts.
Physiotherapists will liaise and work closely
with your saddler.
Muscular back pain can be the secondary
problem and be caused by a primary
problem in the limbs such as foot imbalance
or joint problems such as arthritis or
navicular. The horses will compensate for the
limb problem and hold themselves differently
through their neck and back, causing the
muscles in the neck and back to go into
spasm. The limb problem may be very mild
so no lameness is apparent and the major
problem presents as back pain. Although
with treatment the back pain may resolve,
it is likely to recur as the cause of the
problem still persists. Chartered
physiotherapists will work closely with
owners, riders and vets to look at the whole
picture to help resolve the problem.
It is also important to remember that horses
are athletes and like human athletes they will
tweak and sprain muscles during the work at
home and at competitions. It is important that
these mild tweaks and sprains are treated
early so they don't develop into more major
problems, which then require more treatment
and time off.
Another common cause of muscular back
problems is overriding dorsal spinous
processes, more commonly known as
'kissing spines'. This diagnosis is much more
common today as the x-ray equipment has
advanced so the back is much easier to
x-ray, see the touching spinous
processes and therefore diagnose the
condition. The touching spinous processes
cause an inflammatory response and pain
so the surrounding muscles go into spasm
to protect the area and limit the amount of
movement. In mild cases just physiotherapy
alone can manage the problem but
generally it is a combined approach of
veterinary treatment, physiotherapy
and rehabilitation.
(Above) X-ray showing severe 'kissing spines'
How do we treat?
Don't ignore the slight problems or
small signs and symptoms. If you
suspect or are unsure about any
issues get your horse assessed by
a chartered physiotherapist or vet
before the problem becomes more
serious and therefore will take
longer to heal.
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Good warm ups and cool downs
are essential.
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To work the horse appropriate to its
level of fitness and ability.
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To have regular physiotherapy,
saddlery and dental checks.
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Good core stability and top
line strength.
One of our most important tools are
our hands. There are a wide variety
of manual techniques used such as
reciprocal inhibition, trigger point
release, myofascial release, joint
mobilisations, massage and stretches.
These will reduce pain, muscle spasm
and stiffness and will therefore improve
range of movement and flexibility.
We also use electrotherapies such as
ultrasound, laser, PEME H Wave, TENS
and neuromuscular stimulation. These
are used to promote the body's natural
healing process, reduce pain and
complement the manual therapies used.
Chartered Physiotherapists are also
very involved in the rehabilitation of
horses following injury. Rehabilitation
is very important to increase muscle
strength, flexibility and to try to
prevent recurrence of the injuries. The
physiotherapist will also assess for any
weakness and movement abnormalities,
which may make the horses more
prone to back problems in the future.
They will prescribe exercise and
rehabilitation programmes to strengthen
specific areas.
You can help your horse by trying to
improve his/her strength and flexibility
during ridden or ground work. Your
physiotherapist can give you a specific
rehab programme using lunging, long
reining or pole work. Also the physio
will teach you stretches for the neck,
back and limbs to keep your horse
supple and flexible.
Prevention is better than cure
so remember that:
Lunging and long lining are very important to
build up top-line and core stability thus helping
recovery from and preventing recurrence of
back pain.
Pole work can be done both ridden and in
hand to increase strength and co-ordination.
EQUINE MATTERS
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