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RE: [RC] Pain and stiffness after a 50/it can be prevented somewhat! - Karen StandeferIt's not just leaning forward that causes it. It's riding with our shoulders hunched up (which is a natural reaction to trying to stay balanced on a moving object). It's easy to get into this mode when riding because you're stiff in the back. If you concentrate, instead, on using your stomach muscles to support your body (think about doing crunches with each motion of the horse) and then shake out the arms and shoulders you'll go a long way to relieving the action of hunching the shoulders (and it's very subtle, not overt) and subsequently relieving the soreness you get in your shoulders after a ride. My chiropractor was really helpful to teach me how to use my stomach muscles to support my body while riding so that I don't put undue stress on any of my back. If you've done Pilates or any other core-building exercise, think of those when riding and try to isolate your stomach muscles and use those, concentrating on relaxing everything else. You may have to remind yourself many times within an hour to drop your shoulders. It's not easy to get out of the habit. And, most of us will deny that we do it. Get a friend to watch you. Hunch your shoulders up to your ears and then drop them as far as you can. Get your friend to ride behind and notice how you gradually start raising them again. Get them to remind you to drop them and shake them out. Karen -----Original Message----- .........and I am still sore across the shoulders. In working with a riding instructor I have been really trying to concentrate on not leaning forward maybe I need to work on that more?? -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.14.19/555 - Release Date: 11/27/2006 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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