Pediatric Hippotherapy for Injury Rehabilitation
in Pea Ridge, AR
Is your child healing from an injury like a broken bone or a muscle sprain or strain? Physical therapy can support their recovery in a way that reduces pain, restores strength, and helps prevent the risk of future injuries.
At Unbridled Pediatric Therapies, we combine traditional physical therapy with therapeutic horse-riding (hippotherapy) to help kids recover from injuries fast so they can get back to playing and exploring with confidence.
What Is Injury Rehabilitation?
Injury rehabilitation is a physical therapy specialization that focuses on helping children recover from injuries while restoring function and preventing future challenges. Pediatric physical therapy can rehabilitate a wide range of injuries to help children regain strength, mobility, and confidence while addressing their unique developmental needs.
What Types of Injuries Can Be Rehabilitated with Physical Therapy?
Common types of injuries that our pediatric physical therapists can treat include:
- Fractured or broken bones
- Sprained or strained muscles and ligaments
- Dislocated joints
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Brachial plexus injuries
How Pediatric Physical Therapy Combined with Hippotherapy Can Treat Injury Rehabilitation
Pediatric physical therapy is an excellent treatment for children who’ve experienced an injury. But when you combine it with hippotherapy, the outcomes that can be achieved are greater and more easily attainable than with clinic-based treatment by itself.
Here are some of the reasons why you should consider equine-assisted physical therapy for your child:
1. It improves range of motion
The horse’s movement provides a gentle, repetitive stretch to tight or injured muscles and joints, which helps increase flexibility and reduce stiffness without causing discomfort. This is especially beneficial for injuries that require gradual restoration of mobility, such as a sprained muscle or ligament.
2. It stimulates the neuromuscular system
The movement of the horse stimulates the child’s proprioceptive system (their awareness of their body’s position and movement), which helps to retrain muscle coordination and movement patterns. This is very important for children who are recovering from neurological injuries or surgery.
3. It encourages weight bearing
Riding in different positions on the horse promotes weight shifting and distribution, which supports the recovery of limb strength and joint stability. It’s an effective way to reintroduce weight-bearing activities in a controlled and exciting environment.
4. It’s fun!
The positive, engaging experience of riding and caring for a horse motivates children to participate actively in their rehabilitation. The fun and rewarding nature of hippotherapy can alleviate anxiety, increase confidence, and encourage persistence in their therapy goals.
Schedule a Free 15-Minute Phone Consultation Today
Want to find out how pediatric hippotherapy can support your child’s recovery after an injury? Take advantage of our free 15-minute phone consultation! During this consultation, you’ll speak with a member of the Unbridled Pediatric Therapy team who can answer your questions and explain how your child can benefit from equine-assisted physical therapy.
Give us a call at (479) 250-9838 or fill out our online form to schedule your consultation today!
