Have you ever heard of the term "hippotherapy"? This is the so-called riding treatment, which is widely used in the US and Europe. The horse has been valued since time immemorial for its devotion, love, and amazing healing abilities. Hippocrates himself said that horseback riding cures diseases faster than medicines. Indeed, this type of recreation has a tremendous impact on physical and psychological health. What diseases are treated by horseback riding? An article from the online publication estet-portal.com will tell you more about this.
Riding: who benefits from horseback riding
Horseback riding is suitable for absolutely everyone: children, adults, and pensioners. But this pleasant activity is of great benefit to people who suffer:
- temper;
- excessive fussiness and mobility;
- Down syndrome;
- autism;
- neuroses;
- diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system;
- cardiovascular diseases;
- multiple sclerosis;
- prostatitis;
- Gastrointestinal diseases.
Horseback riding is especially useful for disabled people. This occupation was created half a century ago as a method of treatment and rehabilitation of the disabled.
If hippotherapy has been popular in Europe and America for a long time, in our country this type of treatment and recreation is only gaining momentum. But, despite this, regular classes bring excellent results. Children with cerebral palsy begin to move more, and the joy of life returns to people with depression. It has already been proven that horse riding is an excellent cure for physical ailments and helps with psychological problems.
Physical problems
A sedentary lifestyle and poor posture lead to a number of problems with the back (scoliosis, muscle weakness, osteochondrosis, and so on) and the body as a whole. Horseback riding will help you get rid of such troubles quickly, efficiently and painlessly. It's all about the movements of the animal. A four-hoofed friend while walking or trotting, as it were, forces the muscles of the back and abdomen of the rider to be included in the work. This creates a muscular corset that corrects the curvature of the spine. However, while riding a horse, not only these muscles work, but all muscles in general. This is due to the fact that when the animal walks or jumps, it transmits to the rider more than 100 motor movements per minute. Thus, a person moves up and down, back and forth, side to side and so on.
Such exercise therapy corrects the spine, strengthens muscles, and improves coordination, gait and posture.
Horse riding is also useful for children suffering from cerebral palsy. Due to the work of all the muscles while riding, the child develops physical activity. It should also be noted that horse riding has a positive effect on the general condition of the whole organism. It improves blood circulation, strengthens the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, and normalizes the functioning of all organs. Horseback riding is excellent for gastrointestinal diseases (dyskinesia), diabetes, cardiovascular ailments, prostatitis and women's diseases.
Psychological disorders
A horse is not only a true friend, but also an excellent psychologist. This animal knows how to love and charge with positive energy the one who strokes it, caresses it and will sit on horseback. Already after the first horse ride against the backdrop of picturesque nature, a person gets rid of bad thoughts, stress and a depressive state, and in return he acquires inner harmony.
Doctors noted the fact that after the treatment course of horseback riding, people who were tired of life acquired inner strength, positive emotions and a smile on their faces.
Hippotherapy has a no less positive effect on children. Communication with a horse helps a hyperactive baby become more calm and balanced. Riding a horse also gives a chance for recovery to children with a delay in their development. Regular classes help little ones to develop comprehensively, in particular, they make them more courageous, resolute, hardy and resourceful.
Horse riding is a great treatment for autistic children. As you know, they in every possible way protect themselves from the outside world and do not know how to contact people and all living things. Active movements while riding on the back of an animal remove the very barrier, due to which the children stop being afraid of everything, find their favorite thing and even make contact.
Are there any contraindications
Hippotherapy helps every person, regardless of whether he is sick or healthy. But alas, not everyone can ride a horse. Such an activity is prohibited for people with hypertension. After all, during the race, a person has an increase in blood pressure, which can lead to disastrous consequences. Also, those who have thrombosis should not be ridden, as intense vibration can lead to the separation of a blood clot and blockage of the veins.
Hippotherapy – an excellent medicine that relieves many ailments, at the same time charges with positive emotions and gives complete harmony.
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