Pilates for Low Back Pain
The Pilates method is recently being used more and more in the rehabilitation setting. Traditional exercises can be broken down and made suitable for those who are recovering from injuries, and then can be progressed until full fitness and healthy movement is achieved. There is increasing evidence that rehabilitation using pilates can increase the stability and control of body movement– thus preventing a range of postural, musculo-skeletal and neurological conditions.
This is particularly relevant for sufferers of lower back pain, which is a significant public health problem. A high percentage of people will suffer lower back pain at some time in their lives and research shows that 60-80% will reoccur within 3-12 months. Chronic lower back pain can be very disruptive to a person’s life, and can prevent the sufferer from exercising as they normally would, or at all! Low back pain should always be assessed by a qualified professional such as an Osteopath, and in some cases medical treatment is needed. In the majority of cases however, it is safe to begin Osteopathic treatment and start exercising under supervision, using the pilates method.
Remember that experiencing pain changes our body’s normal movement patterns, and the recovery of normal movement is not automatic. Those of us who have had trauma, injuries, painful episodes, surgery or postural problems are likely to develop weakness and inflexibility as well as dysfunctional movement. These ‘bad patterns’ can accumulate, as the body attempts to compensate for multiple problems.
The aim in Pilates for low back pain is to recondition the body from a central core, to give a natural girdle of support to the lower back. Once this has been achieved muscles can be strengthened more globally, before the core and the global muscles are worked together.
As a beginner the very best starting point is to learn to apply five key elements in a range of positions and exercises. These will be discussed individually over the next 5 weeks. So keep checking this blog or view and like us on Facebook !
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Testimonials
” The best Osteopath in the area by far! Katie is so warm and friendly, and not to mention marvellous at her craft. I really can’t speak highly enough of her! …” Emma Wilson
“Doug is professional, friendly and extremely thorough. After the amount of times I have walked out of the clinic with all pain magically gone, I don’t trust anyone else with my spine!” Zara
“Katie is a very empathic and highly skilled practitioner. I would absolutely recommend her to any of my clients ….” Anne Moss – Pilates Instructor
“Sian’s gentle, yet effective approach to her work made it an easy experience for our 11 year old son when visiting for a back and ankle injury, who up until meeting Sian did not like going to the Osteopath. She was extremely professional and I can not recommend her enough.” Susan
“I often refer patients to Katie and get treated by her personally as I know I can trust her to be kind and professional whilst getting great results.” Sally Knudsen – Physiotherapist, Bath RUH
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Fitness Friday - Instagram vs reality!One of the osteopathic principles is “Structure governs function”.Tried my winter trained Peleton legs out today for the first time since Autumn. Castle Combe looked beautiful and so good for the soul to get out in this fab weather. Of course I practiced what I preach before setting off - tennis balled the gluts, foam rollered the quads and some good lower back stretches to get my creaky spine ready for action. Felt surprisingly good.! Maybe next time we’ll be allowed to stop for a bite to eat. 😊 #feelinggood #wiltshirecountryside #castlecombevillage #cyclefit #osteotips👍🏽 #peletonbike #practicewhatyoupreach #osteopathyforsports #osteopathybath #osteopathywiltshire #lightattheendofthetunnelFitness Friday! Following on from last week’s post - a great way in which we can progressively overload is to increase the volume of our training. This can be done in many different ways:Brighter days ahead! We hope you’re all enjoying the sunshine! Remember we are still open throughout the roadmap out of lockdown and we are still wearing full PPE and thoroughly cleaning the clinic between each patient!Caught up with my lovely friend Fran, during a social distancing walk this week, who is involved in this great health education project. BIRD is committed to encouraging greater public awareness of bone and joint disease ( not just effecting the elderly) and helping patients, their friends, families and colleagues to understand their conditions. Couldn’t wait to share this with my patients . #jointawareness #healtheducationworks #spreadingtheword #rheumatoidarthritis #psoriaticarthritisawareness #osteoporosis #bathinstituteforrheumaticdisease#osteopathyforempowerment #osteopathybath #osteopathywiltshire