Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Volume 13, Issue 1 , Pages 43-52, January 2009

The horse as the healer—A study of riding in patients with back pain

  • Margareta Håkanson, PT, MSc

      Affiliations

    • Department of Public Health and Community Medicine/Primary Health Care, The Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, PB 454, SE-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +46705779773; fax: +4651167134.
    • ,
  • Margareta Möller, PT, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Centre for Health Care Sciences, Örebro County Council, PB 1324, SE 701 13 Örebro, Sweden
    • ,
  • Ingalill Lindström, PT, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Region Västra Götaland, Department of Health Care, Regionens Hus, SE 405 44 Göteborg, Sweden
    • ,
  • Bengt Mattsson, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Public Health and Community Medicine/Primary Health Care, The Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, PB 454, SE-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden

Received 24 April 2007; received in revised form 7 June 2007; accepted 15 June 2007.

Summary 

A total of 24 patients, considerably disabled in daily activities by back pain, participated in an Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) programme. The patients also had several health problems in addition to their current pain. The programme emphasised the principles of body awareness. The study is aimed at investigating not only whether symptom reduction would be achieved, but also at identifying qualities of EAT that were particularly beneficial for the patients’ well being. The study was performed according to action research principles.

The treatment reduced the pain and lessened other symptoms. The EAT also had an influence on the patients’ self-image and a positive chain of effects was observed. The consequences were described according to four dimensions; the dimension of body awareness, competence, emotion and environment. The dimensions were interrelated having the simultaneous influence of a transition process and symptom reduction towards health.

Keywords: Equine assisted therapy, Back pain, Physiotherapy, Body awareness, Action research, Horseback riding therapy, Animal Assisted Therapy

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PII: S1360-8592(07)00078-2

doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2007.06.002

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Volume 13, Issue 1 , Pages 43-52, January 2009

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