HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW…
In people with lower back pain, the deep spine and tummy muscles that are responsible for helping to stabilise the body for movement, don’t turn on as well as in people without lower back pain. We are not quite sure why this is the case (is it the cause of the pain/injury, or a product of it?), but what we do know, is that low-impact, safe movements of the lower back and surrounding stabilising muscles, is an effective way to improve the symptoms associated with many conditions of the lower back. The evidence isn’t clear on whether Pilates is any more effective than other targeted exercise programs, but there is plenty of anecdotal evidence, as well as studies that show how people with lower back pain can improve their condition by participating in Pilates classes, as well as performing Pilates exercises at home as part of a home exercise program.
PILATES IS GREAT!
The great thing about Pilates is that just about anybody can participate, to some degree; even those with otherwise debilitating back pain can often find comfortable and effective exercises they can do, with the help of a qualified health professional. You don’t need to break out the yoga pants and go to a gym class with 30 other people; our Pilates classes, for example, are small (9 people), and have a larger individual focus than some other, larger classes might. The exercises, for the most part, are not dependant on expensive equipment, and can also be practiced at home. As a physiotherapist, I will often give 3 or 4 basic Pilates exercises to my clients as part of their home exercise program, designed to help them move in a safe and meaningful manner, to strengthen and mobilise parts of their body that may be in need of such things.
Low-impact, safe movements of the lower back and surrounding stabilising muscles, is an effective way to improve the symptoms associated with many conditions of the lower back.
The ultimate goal, for me as a physiotherapist, is to get my clients functioning as they would like to be, and Pilates can be a useful tool to promote healthy and pain-free movement. Call 82892800 today to organise a Pilates assessment with one of our physiotherapists, or to chat with our knowledgeable staff about our Pilates classes.
