熱療法の理論は、皮膚と軟部組織の温度を上げることで血管拡張が起こるというものです。これは血管が広がり、より低い圧力で血流が増加することにつながります。代謝率と組織の柔軟性も増加します。熱は酸素摂取量を増やし、組織の治癒速度を上げます。ランダム化比較試験では、熱ラップ療法が急性腰痛患者の痛みと運動制限を短期間軽減し、DOMS（遅発性筋肉痛）に対してはクライオセラピー（冷却療法）よりも有意に大きな痛みの緩和をもたらすことが示されています（Malanga, 2014）。Brukner and Kahn（2012）は、熱療法は急性痛、筋肉の痙攣、首の痛み、慢性的な痛みと腫れに最も適していると述べています。感覚の変化、熱に対する過敏症、循環器系の問題、火傷などの熱傷がある人には熱療法の使用を推奨していません。
Horse riders commonly suffer in the following areas
Looking for something to help provide massage for horse riders, or massage and heat? Take a look at our Massage Mitt to provide massage. Or the Massage Mitt Hotspot to provide massage and heat.
Horse riders can build up tension in their lower back through rider/horse imbalance, reduced postural control or repetitive impact, such as jumping. Along with lower back stretches, the Massage Mitt or Massage Mitt Hotspot can be used as demonstrated in the picture below. This can be done either before or after riding, to help prevent DOM’s and relive painful trigger points. A Cochrane review, published in July 2016, suggested that in short‐term follow up, (defined as immediately following treatment, and up to 6 months afterwards) massage therapy produced a moderate to large improvement in subacute (recent) and chronic (long term) low‐back pain and function.
Trapezius and deep neck flexors
Horse riders commonly experience tightness in their trapezius, shoulders and deep neck flexors. A lot of tension is used in this area by holding the reins and maintaining an upright posture. A meta-analysis (a study that pools results from many smaller studies) by Kong in 2013 showed significant effects of massage therapy for neck pain and shoulder pain compared to inactive therapies. Physiotherapists commonly advise the use of heat/vibration massage in these areas to prevent muscle stiffness and for pain relief. The Massage Mitt or Massage Mitt Hotspot can be used as demonstrated in the picture below, either before or after riding, to target these areas.
Hip flexors
Another area that horse riders often feel tightness after riding is in their hips. This is because the hips are a vital part of the posture, balance and stability whilst in the saddle. Riders experience hip pain as the hip flexors are working hard to stay evenly upon the horse and control shock absorption when riding. Riders use their seat to control the horse, therefore it is important they are able to do so pain free. If the rider experiences hip pain, it can mean the hip flexors are compensating for the lower back or gluteal muscles. The Massage Mitt or Massage Mitt Hotspot can be used as demonstrated in the picture below, either before or after riding, to prevent tension in these muscles.
Adductors
An adductor muscle is responsible for drawing the limb towards the midline. Horse riders’ adductors are one of their strongest muscle groups, as they are used to control the horse from the saddle and are used for balance and postural stability. Because of this, horse riders’ adductors can become tense, over worked and sore. This is mostly apparent when we start riding again after some time off! The Massage Mitt or Massage Mitt Hotspot can be used as demonstrated in the picture below, either before or after riding, to prevent tension in these muscles.
関連 記事
Why Massage sends horses to sleep
During a massage, endorphins are released by the pituitary gland, these are the body's natural feel-good hormones. The release of endorphins suppresses stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline.
Some horses, if in discomfort or particularly sensitive, may find massage over stimulating. Using heat on its own is a great tool in these conditions as it is very non invasive, and is usually accepted well by even the most sensitive of souls. Heat should be concentrated on a small area for best effect. For other horses, its a great tool either on its own or combined with massage that reaps several benefits.
The use of heat is usually accepted well by horses and ponies, and we know how beneficial it can be from using it on ourselves too.
There are many factors to consider when using heat for our horses, such as...
