Edith from Upton, had resigned herself to a life filled with pain until she met Steve Kirby of Getfitstayfit Norfolk

life filled with pain

Following a fall,  Edith sought help and advice from Steve Kirby , with help from her daughter Lee. Edith had already been attended to by paramedics at the scene of her accident and medical staff in

Accident & Emergency at the hospital who were pleased to report she had not suffered a fracture, she was allowed home with painkillers but unfortunately Edith didn’t feel they were aiding her recovery.

Lee began looking for alternative help and found Get Fit Stay Fit Norfolk in” The Village Book.“

The two ladies expected to be given rehabilitative exercises for Edith to perform and were surprised and overjoyed when the treatment prescribed was a Hydrotherm Massage.

This was Edith’s first massaged in her 97 years and she enjoyed the sensation of laying on a bed of hot water whilst being massaged.

It brought relief from her pain and a feel good factor too, allowing her to relax and enjoy the treatment.

We believe  ‘Quality of life is the major factor and being able to accelerate regeneration of chronically damaged skeletal muscles at whatever age is very important. “

Before her accident Edith had uncomfortable back pain, so Steve also administered treatment with the Bioneuro System which works deeply into muscles which cannot be reached by other therapeutic devices.

” Mum is on the up and the two treatments have been miraculous and amazing, this  has already enhanced mum’s health in general,’ said Lee. ‘Mum has been able to half the painkillers that she was told were her future.’

Edith has had a few more treatment sessions with us , she is now feeling  so much better , she is back to her Knit  & Natter days and is a lot more mobile.

“As for the painkillers she only had to take one last week.”

Leaving the last word to Edith,

“Wonderful, I have a new lease of life and a turn for the better. If you have an injury causing you pain and discomfort, whatever your age, please give Steve a call at Get Fit Stay Fit Norfolk”

Take these tablets, they said

Take these tablets

I had been doing some heavy lifting and thought nothing of it ,lifting fish tanks into awkward positions . Thinking nothing of it ,but my back did !.

Being normally very active and very  physically able  living with one or two aches did not worry me . Waking up ,that morning I found myself in excessive ,depilating pain .Looked at my self in the mirror and I was standing at 75degrees !. Certainly not normal.

Struggled to see the GP who said “Take these tablets ,five boxes in all . Diazepam, naproxn and other stuff . The GP ,then went on to say . “If things are not right in four or so days come back and then it will take a few weeks and we will do some investigation to see if we can help you further “

Taking the tablets ,they made me sleep feel very  depressed . I needed help !. I found Steve’s details called him 

Recovery & Rehabilitation or Over Medication

Got to Steve’s . He fully assessed me  injury wise and started to work . This was  on a Sunday ,I was so thankful.  Then ,put me on a machine called “Bioneuro” explaining I had damaged very deep muscles which would be very difficult to massage

Back Pain Relief

Well, almost instant relief ,freedom to move .NO PAIN !. Warmth .That’s what Bioneuro has done for me . Five box’s of tablet’s did not do that !.

Followed by Neuromuscular injury manipulations ,this was a touch of heaven on earth. Steve ,worked on my leg, it has been damaged for a few years.

The combination of the Bioneuro ,Clinical Neuromuscular  Injury Therapy techniques has restored me.

Powerful ,I feel ,taller ,pain free, supple, warmer  and a lot happier  because I can sleep  ,that’s with no tablets needed ,great!.

That’s what Steve has done for me and he can do for you too.

Back Pain Relief Well, almost instant relief ,freedom to move .NO PAIN !. Warmth .That’s what Bioneuro has done for me . Five box’s of tablet’s did not do that !. Followed by massage and manipulations on the Hydrotherm bed ,this was a touch of heaven on earth. Steve ,worked on my leg, it has been damaged for a few years. The combination of the Bioneuro ,Hydrotherm Massage with Clinical Neuromuscular Therapy techniques has restored me. Powerful ,I feel ,taller ,pain free, supple, warmer and a lot happier because I can sleep ,that’s with no tablets needed ,great!. That’s what Steve has done for me and he can do for you too.

Delivery Driver Ray needed Getfitstayfit Norfolk, For Back Problem

Back Problem

It is that time of year when a certain person will don the red suit and get ready for his annual deliveries he will be very busy for one night to get all those special items to folks , then he will have a whole year to rest .relax and recuperate, maybe have a massage or two.

He will not be the only one dealing with delivery of the gifts, parcels for Christmas or the extra deliveries created by Black Friday, he may get the rest of the year off, but the rest of the Delivery Drivers will not .

 

It is that time of year when a certain person will don the red suit and get ready for his annual deliveries he will be very busy for one night to get all those special items to folks , then he will have a whole year to rest .relax and recuperate, maybe have a massage or two. He will not be the only one dealing with delivery of the gifts, parcels for Christmas or the extra deliveries created by Black Friday, he may get the rest of the year off, but the rest of the Delivery Drivers will not .

For them although the extra work is good it also means extra hours longer time spent in the driving seat, lots more multi drops, so more getting in and out of the van’s .

Ray of is one of those delivery drivers he owns HARK Solutions a company we have used and trusted with some special equipment , his company has high standards getting special items to customers when they need them on a Direct Delivery system (Not going into a HUB) so Ray always has to be on top form.

Having Back Pain was not an option for Ray he had some very important deliveries and could not afford to take the time off, as he was going to be driving he also could not take a number of Painkillers , he felt his best decision would be to see Steve of Getfitstayfit Norfolk and get the injury dealt with as soon as possible ,

Have a look at his testimony.

Do You Want to Be The Best, At Fitness Boot Camp ??

Do You Want to Be The Best

Just recently I was at a Boot camp fitness weekend, having received a call from the organiser telling me they had been let down by the person who would normally come with them, so as a local Sports Massage therapist would I please help for a few hours.

I do understand everyone's need to get fit and a lot of the fads and quick fixes, we all seem to be under pressure to have results straight away, I am afraid this sort of body battering may end up with people having the results they do not want and always remember, you only have one body you want to keep in in the best of condition for as long as you can "Do not just think of the present as today's injuries, will be with you as you get older in the future"
Group of mature adults working out in fitness class

 

Having qualified and done my time, as a personal trainer a long time ago, but having never been to one of these Military Style Fitness Boot Camps, I must say I was intrigued enough to say yes.

 

As a Sports Injury therapist, for me it is all about the prevention of injury, as much as the repairing the damage once it is done.

It was all I had imagined, people were working out and wearing themselves out, more like a Rugby Training Session, these were people who were not use to this sort of intensive training, quite a few times I heard the words.

” I will get through this, after all it meant to be doing me good”.As a Sports Injury therapist, for me it is all about the prevention of injury, as much as the repairing the damage once it is done. It was all I had imagined, more like a Rugby Training Camp people were working out and wearing themselves out, these were people who were not use to this sort of intensive training, quite a few times I heard the words " I will get through this, after all it meant to be doing me good".

 

“Personally I was not sure of that.”

Due to the damage people can do to their muscles, if they are not prepared for the intensity of the exercise and pressure put on the muscles.

“I do understand everyone’s need to get fit and a lot of the fads and quick fixes.”

 

We all seem to be under pressure to have results straight away, I am afraid this sort of body battering may end up with people having the results they do not want and always remember, you only have one body you want to keep in in the best of condition for as long as you can.

“Do not just think of the present, as today’s injuries will be with you as you get older, in the future”

 

Folks please take things steady and start sensibly, I am sure quite a few people were in the situation the following day, that they may have found it hard to even walk with out pain, not allowing for what the Dreaded DOMS will be doing to their muscles.

Ice baths or warm baths only act as a sensory diversion for the muscles for a short time after these applications they will not improve recovery.

 

Sports Injury Therapy will make a difference to the out come speed, improvement and recovery of the muscles, all these factors should be taken into consideration, before you embark on one of these Boot Camps.

 

To succeed in a Good Exercise Routine, it should always be a gradual build up, it should work with your body .

 

It is a progression, a journey, one you should be in control of, you need to look after your muscles not beat them up and tear them apart.

“I have seen many a client as a result of them not adhering to this advice.”

 

I was surprised that people, had not thought that Sports Injury Therapy should be part of their routine.

 

Do you honestly think that High Performance Professional Athletes have exercise as the main part of their lives do not take time out to rest, cool down, or do not have a warming up routine and do not have regular Sports Injury Therapy for any niggles that occur to prevent them getting worse.

 

” I can assure you they do Sports Injury Therapy  Is vital to them.”

 

So why should it not be part of a routine for a person who is not only working at a full time, job while training for a sports event be it a local run to a marathon, or a person working out in the gym?

 

Sports Injury Therapy is hands on Clinical Massage Treatment to deal with injuries, be it in sport, work or in daily life at home or in the garden, an injury is an injury and not only Sports Men and Women have injuries.We treated Jack with, The Bioneuro Therapy System Sigma Q (ΣQ®),working into the deep level of his connecting fascia, then with massage and manual manipulation on the Hydrotherm Massage System , to achieve a good clinical outcome.

 

 

 

 

 

If you have an injury they have a list of the therapist in your area, be sensible in your exercise program, get the benefit of incorporating Sports Injury Therapy into your routine.

 

 

 

 

 

A Great Award For Steve Kirby of Getfitstayfit Norfolk

A Great Award For Steve Kirby

By being a member of an organisation having backing and support, having opportunity to take on courses , go to events get up to date information , is an absolute necessity , this is what the Sports Massage Association means to me , that having members of like minded people there when you need them, the backing of Graybrooks Insurance , a company that specialises in insurance for Therapist's.

Building up our Business Getfitstayfit Norfolk has been a dream for us, a goal that we are always striving to improve.

 

It is always trying to do the best you can for your clients getting them on the road to recovery and Pain Free motion, so they can work with their body to heal and be the best they can be.

We also know that to achieve this we have to keep Studying, keep learning , gain more knowledge and to put that knowledge to the best use.

There is no point as a Sports Massage Therapist to work hard to get your qualifications , then sit back on your laurel’s and not pursue further knowledge on your subject . Specialising in your subject learn all you can get the CPD points and keep learning, if you want to be taken seriously, for Getfitstayfit Norfolk this means Clinical Sports Massage.

 

Having opportunity to take on courses , go to events, get up to date information , is an absolute necessity ,having the backing of Graybrooks Insurance  a company that specialises in insurance for Therapist’s.and is an absolute.

So this year on September 5th 2015 While at the Spots Massage Association Conference, Steve Kirby was Awarded The Graybrooks SMA Member of the year 2015 you can imagine how proud we were , this award is voted on by his peers , this sort of recognition means so much to us.
The Graybrooks SMA Member of the year 2015

 

So this year on September 5th 2015 While at the Spots Massage Association   Conference, Steve Kirby was Awarded The Graybrooks SMA Member of the year 2015.

Shoulder Injury Norwich, Getfitstayfit Norfolk Helped Restore Back to Fitness

Shoulder Trauma in Norwich

A Shoulder Injury Prevented Jill, from doing a lot of the things she loved.

Jill is a fantastic lady with a very busy life, apart from her Business Wings for Love , of which her heart is firmly planted, she does a great job, as she is a very caring lady, being there for people in both their happiest days and the saddest giving hopes for the future and kind words to help in the grieving moments.

She also is a very devoted Grandmother and a keen Ceroc Dancer, so when an injury to her shoulder, while she was on holiday made all things difficult , she asked Steve to see if he could help and though we could say how well she is doing we think she shows it better than words.

We are so Pleased we could help Jill and get her back to Fitness again.

Are You One Of The Walking Injured.

Are You One Of The Walking Injured

As a Sports and Neuromuscular Injury therapist , at my Injury Clinic  Getfitstayfit Norfolk, I deal with some quite traumatic muscular injuries,  sometimes injuries that people have lived with for years , ” The walking Injured” these people are the ones that feel that their only option was to just live with it, they are regularly  having to take pain killing medication, they  adjust their lives around the pain of the injury, until one day enough is enough or because of a further injury they have found themselves in a situation where they have to deal with the original injury also.

Finding themselves coming to see me , my job is to find the problem, by getting to the root cause of the injury , then Repairing it.

By Repairing the injured muscle, working into the superficial and deep Fascia , we can move on to Recovery,  by this I mean getting the muscles working for themselves again gently coxing them back in to functional ability,  getting the blood flowing back into them and releasing  the tension in the muscles .getting all the body systems to work in a cohesive order .

By Repairing the injured muscle, working into the superficial and deep Fascia , we can move on to Recovery, by this I mean getting the muscles working for themselves again gently coxing them back in to functional ability, getting the blood flowing back into them and releasing the tension in the muscles .getting all the body systems to work in a cohesive order .

Then we move onto Rehabilitation,  do you know we have, Muscle memory we do and it has been used synonymously with motor learning, which is a form of procedural memory that involves consolidating a specific motor task into memory through repetition. When a movement is repeated over time, a long-term muscle memory is created for that task, eventually allowing it to be performed without conscious effort. This process decreases the need for attention and creates maximum efficiency within the motor and memory systems, this can be a great thing if you are fit and well as your muscles will work in a fluid motion within your body, but when you are injured, your muscles react differently, they want to tighten up to protect themselves so that they won’t get injured again, some muscles have to take over other muscles work , as the injured muscle wont stretch out , it becomes a habit and a default position.

My job is to break that cycle encourage the muscles to not go into default mode and  re-educate the muscles to once again work in a fluid movement .

This is when regular gentle exercise of the injured muscle starts to pay off, if we try to exercise injured muscle before it has been repaired or had time to recover,  then we will not move forward, in fact  it is  more than likely to impede recovery or in some cases,  further damage may occur.

Then we move onto Rehabilitation, do you know we have, Muscle memory we do and it has been used synonymously with motor learning, which is a form of procedural memory that involves consolidating a specific motor task into memory through repetition. When a movement is repeated over time, a long-term muscle memory is created for that task, eventually allowing it to be performed without conscious effort. This process decreases the need for attention and creates maximum efficiency within the motor and memory systems, this can be a great thing if you are fit and well as your muscles will work in a fluid motion within your body, but when you are injured, your muscles react differently, they want to tighten up to protect themselves so that they won’t get injured again, some muscles have to take over other muscles work , as the injured muscle wont stretch out , it becomes a habit and a default position.

There are three essential steps  to my clients being back to being as fit as they can be, to reach the final goal you have to have to take the first step , I will  be able to help you to reach the third step, Remember, you  can’t have Rehabilitation with out Recovery and you can’t have Recovery with out Repair .

Lets start with that Repair of your injury so you DO NOT REMAIN ONE OF THE WALKING INJURED.

“Diary of a Golfer”

Diary of a Golfer

When being injured with Back Pain for an ardent Golfer, was not an option.

How an Injury Led him to Getfitstayfit Norfolk

This is a testimonial from a very ardent Golfer, for him to be unable to play due to injury was not a good thing, action was get rid of the injury.

“Diary of a Golfer”

Saturday- Played Golf – no problems (except my swing).

Sunday – awoke with slight niggle in my lower back which got worse as the day went on.

Monday. – awoke in such pain that I could hardly get out of bed and had to use a crutch to get around. Terrible pain in lower back.

Monday lunch time. My daughter suggested I contact a Mr. Steve Kirby in Blofield. I’d never heard of him but I did make contact and, luckily for me, he was able to see me at 5.30. I arrived and he listened to what I had to say and diagnosed a typical golfing problem with the muscles in my lower back.

He told me that, after treatment, I would be able to walk back to my car unaided. (I thought, yeah, right). After treatment (about 1 hour) I did indeed walk back to my car unaided and almost free from pain.

He booked me in for Wednesday morning and I had the follow up treatment. Then – No pain at all. Brilliant! (So good in fact that I took my wife for treatment for her neck and shoulders. Great results here as well)

I would, and have, recommend him to anyone. He is very professional, thorough and delivered welcome relief from my pain .”

David Carman.

Past Captain, Rookery Park Golf Club

When being injured with Back Pain for an ardent Golfer, was not an option.20140715_142514 How an Injury Led him to Getfitstayfit Norfolk This is a testimonial from a very ardent Golfer, for him to be unable to play due to injury was not a good thing, action was get rid of the injury. “Diary of a Golfer” Saturday- Played Golf – no problems (except my swing). Sunday – awoke with slight niggle in my lower back which got worse as the day went on. Monday. – awoke in such pain that I could hardly get out of bed and had to use a crutch to get around. Terrible pain in lower back.

Pain why you should not ignore it.

Pain why you should not ignore it

Muscular Pain 

We know what it is , we know how it makes us feel, we also know that

it is a warning  when something is wrong.

So what do we do?

Take Pain killing Tablets to Mask it and Carry On, Ignore the Pain, Work through the Pain , lets face it No Pain No Gain.

What a load of Rubbish, Please Folks Vote for None of the Above,

Reasons why.!!!

If you mask muscular pain you have a very good chance of doing more damage, by masking the pain and ignoring it you are hiding the symptoms and the root cause, do not get me wrong here,there is a place for Pain Killer Medication,but if you are having to take them all the time , then alarm bells should be ringing, they are not a solution to the problem the solution should be getting it dealt with.

If you mask muscular pain you have a very good chance of doing  more damage, by masking the pain and ignoring  it you are hiding the symptoms and the root cause, do not get me wrong here, there is a place for Pain Killer Medication, but if you are having to take them all the time , then alarm bells should be ringing, they are not a solution to  the problem the solution should be getting it  dealt with.

Working through the pain and pushing yourself even when you are in pain if you do not need too, if your not a Super Hero or have some point of self destruction button that you want to press.

Why would you do that to yourself, Big muscles are all very well , but if you can’t lift  your own child with out being in agony what is the point.

Muscles need to be kept in shape , but if muscles are full of Trigger Points they can not be worked , Folks it is  Counter Productive. It will not help , to have muscles working to their full potential they need to be supple, free from pain , and have Fluid Movement . 

Please Think of Your Body as the Whole Thing and you have it for a long time , we all hope .

So why would you damage it and ignore it when it is telling you that something is wrong and that you need to fix it.

You want to improve your body and want it to work for you.

Keeping your body fluid and free from Muscular injury is the  Best way,

For that to happen you need to be in tune with your body, Massage and Neuromuscular Techniques   .

We Will Help You To Be The Best You Can.

Please Think of Your Body as the Whole Thing and you have it for a long time , we all hope . So why would you damage it and ignore it when it is telling you that something is wrong and that you need to fix it. You want to improve your body and want it to work for you. Keeping your body fluid and free from Muscular injury is the Best way, For that to happen you need to be in tune with your body, Massage and Neuromuscular Techniques

A Mum Say’s Thanks to Getfitstayfit Norfolk, After Our Helping her Daughter To Be Free From Pain

A Mum Say’s Thanks to Getfitstayfit

Claire came to us after a phone call from her very concerned mother, asking Steve if he could help her daughter. Claire in the past had suffered from SPD after child birth with reoccurring problems while having her 2nd child, The problem for Claire was these symptoms had not been fully relived, leaving her with further issues.

Have a look at what her mother had to say after Claire had  2 treatments with Getfitstayfit Norfolk

Dear Steve,

I felt I must just write to you to express my heartfelt thanks for the care and Bioneuro Therapy System treatments that you have given Claire these past 2 weeks.

 

I have had to watch my beautiful daughter undergo the trauma of surgery just 6 weeks after giving birth to her little daughter Bessie 3 years ago, followed by many, many unsuccessful treatments, to say nothing of taking an endless variety of prescription pills all with their own distressing side effects, and on top of all of this, being whisked off in an ambulance to A&E in the middle of the night on least 12 several occasions.

 

Leaving her distraught husband and little one’s behind. {It was always me, her Mum who went to the hospital with her every time}. During all of this she has endured acute back and leg pain which has only added to the misery of her not being able to function as a fit and active wife and mum.

I’m telling you Steve this has been a truly awful time for all of us.

Claire finally reached her lowest point with the back / leg pain and was at ‘rock bottom’ when she made that cry for help, asking me to arrange to bring her to see you.

When we arrived at the door of your lovely wooden treatment cabin I think we were all praying for a little miracle. And yesterday Steve I saw before my very eyes that miracle, but it was not just a little miracle but a VERY BIG ONE !!

Claire was walking & moving more upright and freely than I have seen in a very, very long time…..  and PAIN FREE and all of this after only 2 Bioneuro Therapy System Treatments what an incredible result !! 

 

We all know that Claire still that last little bit of the mountain to climb but with just maybe 1 or 2 more Bioneuro Therapy treatments, together with your care and support Steve there is absolutely no doubt she will make it to the top !

The smile on her face as she stood up after her treatment yesterday said it all.

Thank you Steve from the bottom of my heart,

Wendy.

 

Sam, An Experienced Horse Rider,Shares Her Testimony And Advice About Her Back Injury.

Sam came to Getfitstayfit Norfolk, with a serious back complaint. Her life for many years has been involved with the equestrian sector, as a rider and also looking after a lot of horses. She know’s all to well the need, to be fit and free from injury for people to get the best out of the horse. Working with horse’s all day and knowing how much owners will always make sure the horse is in good condition, she like many other’s, has not necessarily considered her own well being as much as she should. As experienced horse rider, she shares her Testimony and Advice about her Back Injury, with other riders.

Sam came to Getfitstayfit Norfolk, with a serious back complaint.

Her life for many years has been involved with the equestrian sector, as a rider and also looking after a lot of horses.

She know’s all to well the need, to be fit and free from injury for people to get the best out of the horse.

Working with horse’s all day and knowing how much owners will always make sure the horse is in good condition, she like many other’s, has not necessarily  considered her own well being as much as she should.

 As experienced horse rider, she shares her Testimony and Advice about her Back Injury, with other riders.

Sam came to Getfitstayfit Norfolk, with a serious back complaint. Her life for many years has been involved with the equestrian sector, as a rider and also looking after a lot of horses. She know’s all to well the need, to be fit and free from injury for people to get the best out of the horse. Working with horse’s all day and knowing how much owners will always make sure the horse is in good condition, she like many other’s, has not necessarily considered her own well being as much as she should. As experienced horse rider, she shares her Testimony and Advice about her Back Injury, with other riders.

It is, as she say important for  the rider to be at one with the horse, to have

Fluidity in Motion ,

A riders injury can affect a horses ability  to perform at it’s best , as every jolt and jar the rider feels  as pain, the horse will feel their restriction in their reaction to the pain in their subsequent movements. to propel a horse forward you need to to be balanced.

Please watch Sam’s testimonial and her advice to other  Horse riders and owners.

 

The Importance of “Fluid Motion when on Horseback”

Advice About Her Back Injury

Here in Norfolk we have some great places If you are a horse rider, from Training Stables, Show jumping rings, Pony Trekking, we even have a Polo Club at Langley Abbey, we thank Sally Lloyd from the Norfolk Polo club, allowing us this photo, but to have a look at some other photo’s and find out more, please have a look at their website.

You will also know that people who do not ride think it looks easy and that the rider is just sitting on the horse’s back, letting the horse do all the work, while all the rider has to do is give instructions when needed like, whoa and turn, I can assure you it certainly is not the case. There is much more to riding than the casual observer may realise. There is no such thing as passive horse riding.  Unlike any other sport you are in a position of joint dependence between you and another animal, more than just a team playing a sport together, you are in fact aiming to be at one with your movements and that of the horse becoming one fluid movement.

 

Here in Norfolk we have some great places If you are a horse rider, from Training Stables, Show jumping rings, Pony Trekking, we even have a Polo Club at Langley Abbey, we thank Sally Lloyd from the Norfolk Polo club,allowing us this photo, but to have a look at some other photo’s and find out more, please have a look at their website.

Be it at competition level or riding for fun, there is a unique correlation of the rider’s movement against the movement of the horse; this can prove to have extraordinary benefits for all elements of the human body. It is also vital if you aim to improve your level.

As we need to focus on the benefits and avoid any injury, yes we know these can happen so more reason to stay in shape , putting massage into a physical training regime  is and should be considered  a must and useful tool.

As much as we need to learn to ride and understand the horse, we also need to understand what our body is doing and the muscles it is using, we have to adapt to the horses muscles movements and use ours to the best of both our advantage, but how do you use your muscles, first of all you should realise that muscles do not control movement they only facilitate it.

Your Nervous system is the controller and throughout your body you have signalling stations, these are your Proprioceptors, they are at special points in the body, sending the information telling your body how and when it should move, without them we would become dysfunctional, we would not have coordination and would bump into things.  Proprioceptors send back all the valuable feedback so the nervous system responds and recruits muscle appropriately, creating tension or force that will then pull on the fascia that will in turn result in coordinated movement. This is why it is so important to keep muscles flexible; they will then be able to allow the Proprioceptors to keep sending the right messages.

Your Nervous system is the controller and throughout your body you have signalling stations, these are your Proprioceptors, they are at special points in the body, sending the information telling your body how and when it should move, without them we would become dysfunctional, we would not have coordination and would bump into things. Proprioceptors send back all the valuable feedback so the nervous system responds and recruits muscle appropriately, creating tension or force that will then pull on the fascia that will in turn result in coordinated movement. This is why it is so important to keep muscles flexible; they will then be able to allow the Proprioceptors to keep sending the right messages.

You do need however to keep on top of any injury,  if an injury occurs , don’t ignore it deal with it. So that your body is not left to over compensate in other areas, putting your body out of synchronization and adopting “Pain Avoidance behaviour”, is not a good idea, after all you want to keep that fluid synergy   between you and the horse

For different sports within riding you use your body differently, for instance if you were riding on a pony trek, or a afternoon leisurely exercise, this would still provide cardiovascular benefits, just an hour of horse riding can burn off more calories than jogging or riding a bike for 30 minutes, when you start to ride you will notice how your muscles will change and become in better condition.

There is a simple explanation for this, it is in the fact that as the rider you have to react to every movement of the horse by having to adapt to the correct position in the saddle, your muscles must contract and relax according to and in conjunction with the horse’s movement, in doing so, every single muscle of your body will naturally be toned and strengthened.

You will use your Transverse Abdominals muscles more, because of mounting and dismounting from the horse twisting and turning and bending and flexing, did you realise there are more than 29 muscles used in aiding core stability and you will use all of them, you will also use your Adductor’s when guiding the horse along with your TLF, ITB and your Glutes, that is a lot of muscle work on just what could be considered simple riding.

When you are doing Show jumping movements you will have to use more forward shoulder and neck movements, rise and fall movements using your Hamstrings down to your Soleus and Gastrocnemius, these are the muscles that can be very prone to tightness, regular Massage can help with keeping these muscles flexible.

As you grow in confidence with riding as you will, let’s face it, you will have to if you are going to be capable of having  control of an animal that is bigger than yourself, the horse does need to feel your confidence for them to feel confident in you, remember it is a partnership.

You may want to get involved with some of the other sports on horseback such as Dressage or Show jumping, or you may like a faster pace and become part of  in a team, you may take an interest in Polo.

This is a fast and invigorating sport, it is exhilarating and demands a lot of technique and flexibility, needing all your abilities, the muscles you will use a lot in Polo, will be your Core muscles.

There is no getting away from the fact that you have to work and keep all your muscles in shape, you will also find that you will build up your reaction times, you may not think it when you first start, but you will really become more mentally aware, of your surroundings, the game usually involves more manoeuvring and shorter plays, lower speeds and space limitations of an arena.

Advice About Her Back Injury

You will have to  use  your  Deltoids  and the upper body muscles when you have  to pull a horse up short , this will happen in a Mêlée  and as using your body to

pull a horse up quick takes a lot of effort, it will be worth developing these  muscles , but do not try over developing, you want them to be flexible.

Fluidity in Motion when on Horseback, is the key

As we say it is all about fluidity, adapting and improving, go to a game, find out about training, judge for yourself, find out what is right for you, but the main thing is to keep yourself fit for purpose.