You all know that I love Pilates. I started practicing the method because of chronic back pain. After trying physical therapy and yoga, it was doing Pilates regularly that got me out of pain. When I say regularly, I mean 5 to 7 days a week. Mr. Joe Pilates said that all it takes is 20 minutes of these exercises a day to keep the core in shape. I can attest to the truth of that statement. I am a walking, dancing, running, yoga practicing, skiing example of the power of Pilates. There are now some studies that prove the benefits of Pilates as a rehabilitative tool.
Queen's University School of Rehabilitation Therapy studied physically active 20 and 55 year olds with chronic back pain (just like me!!!). They found that the subjects that followed a regime of equipment-based exercises of the Pilates method, that strengthen core muscles in the lumbar-pelvic region, fared better than the subjects that simply consulted with physicians and other health care specialists. The Pilates group overall had 46% more pain relief and these improvements were visible a year later. Were those folks doing their 20 minutes a day? The study didn't say, but some of the basic Pilates concepts really help in activities of daily life.
Pilates teaches you how to stabilize your spine as well as how to safely increase spinal flexibility. I believe wholeheartedly that working with a certified Pilates practitioner is the way to go if you are trying to get out of pain. Although the private sessions are expensive, the pay off is great, less pain and more strength. Once you learn how to engage those deep abs and work your core, there is no going back.
Photo: Melanie Johnson
Power Flow Pilates, New Haven, CN
Cheap Monday
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I have bad lower back pain when working out sometimes, especially when doing ab work. I think it's because my lower back is out of shape, I sit all way so I'm not really working it at all, ya know? I should start working pilates into my fitness routine. It's just so damn boring!!!
1i have a really bad back from 16 years of competitive gymnastics, and pilates has reeeeally helped with the pain. i love it!
2I have scoliosis. Some people recommended I try Yoga, but I was really bored in the classes I attended. I kept falling asleep and would leave the class groggy and tired instead of re-energized. Do you think pilates would be helpful for my back?
And I've only ever done mat pilates, is it much better with the machines?
3I definitely agree! Starting pilates has helped ease my lower back pain by strengthening the muscles supporting my spine. It's awesome - I haven't been doing my pilates exercises in a while though.
4Can you suggest ways to stretch out the back? I just went from a 15 minute to 45 minute commute and my back is suffering. My shoulders are always tense...
5Pilates helps me but I can't go every day and I want to unwind when I get home.
I am doing pilates for the same reason. I had an snowboarding accident two years ago and somehow the damage (shortened muscles from a cast after breaking the knee) worked its way up in my lower back. Nobobdy knows why and it took me 4 doctors to find it out, but now after some rehab I do pilates and everything is good again, after two years of pain in back and knee and many, many useless other things the doctors tried
But I agree, it is kind of boring, but I hope I will stick to it, it is soooooo good for me.
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Of all the things I've lost, my mind I miss the most.
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