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[P395]Pilates For Back Pain

by Steven Giles, Ste

More and more chiropractors today are recommending Pilates for their clients? aching backs. When Pilates is done consistently, many people experience relief from back pain. What is it about doing Pilates that works well to relieve a person's aching back?
Pilates is effective in relieving back pain because it addresses the structural imbalances in a person's body that leads to back pain. Such issues like pelvic instability, poor posture, lack of core support, muscular imbalances, and lack of body awareness all affect back health. These issues are resolved when a person does the Pilates stretches on a regular basis.

Correct Posture Exhibited by Pilates Workouts

When a person begins to do Pilates, he or she has to concentrate on how the different body parts are lined up. This is known as our alignment. When we are standing or sitting, we tend to think of our alignment as our posture. However, having good posture is a dynamic process and depends upon the ability of our body to align all of its different parts to respond to different demands effectively. When this alignment is off, uneven stress is placed on the skeleton and especially on the spine. Pilates exercises are done while paying attention to this alignment. Uniform muscle use and development are created which allows movement to flow through a person's body in a most natural way.

A very common postural imbalance that many people have the tendency to do is to either tilt or tuck the pelvis. Neither position does the body any good. In fact, by tilting or tucking the pelvis, weakness is created on one side of a person's body and there are overly tight areas on the other side. The spine is denied the support of the natural curves and a domino effect of pains and aches are created all the way up one's spine and even going into the neck. When one does the Pilates exercises, one becomes increasingly aware of the proper placement of their spine and pelvis. An inner strength is created that supports the natural curves of one's spine. As you can see, Pilates has been the key for celebrating better backs for a large number of people.

Core Strength Developed by Pilates

You must have good core strength in order for the body to have proper alignment. What does having core strength mean? It means that all of your body's trunk muscles are flexible, strong, and working together in an effort to stabilize and support the spine.

To have proper core strength, you have to look much deeper than just the big surface muscles that we often think about such as the rectus abdominis, the big back muscles, or those beautiful 6-pack abs. The core muscles are usually the ones that are found below the surface musculature.

Many forms of exercise simply focus on giving added strength to the big muscles such as the ones that we can see and the ones that are responsible for doing big movements. However, Pilates trains the body in such a way that all of the core muscles are working together to stabilize and support the back. When core strength is developed effectively, the body is trained to know when to release and to activate the core muscles. While core strength seems to be the catchall term, it is better to say that the core coherence that is taught by doing Pilates is essential for back health.

If you are a sufferer of back pain, then you are probably no stranger to prescription medications, doctor's visits, and bills, bills, bills. What if there was a way to eliminate the need for every single bit of that? With the economy being the way that it is, we cannot afford another thing. Period. We shouldn't have to let the stress of our back pain actually add to our already existing pain.

When stress mounts up, one of the first places that we feel it is around in our back area. Why is this, you ask? It is because our bodies become tense and they do not have a release. The muscles consistently tighten causing ligament tears and misalignment. Your back can throw your whole body out of balance. That is why it is important that you do all that is necessary to take care of it. Pilates and stretching can help to get rid of your back pain, and improve it's existing condition.

Pilates and stretching techniques help to release tense muscles and prevent future injury and stress by strengthening the back. The stretches help to lengthen the spine as well. You can minimize your need for back surgeries and expensive chiropractic visits when you use Pilates and stretching as a means of pain relief. When you stretch, you improve your range of motion while giving your back more flexibility. You can help to put your body back into it's natural alignment and maintain it when you use stretching to relieve your back pain. This should be done at least three times per week for maximum benefit.

You can find various types of stretching techniques for your back online, in Pilates DVDs, and in books at the library. Do not be afraid to perform these movements. They are not meant to hurt you. If you experience more pain when performing your exercises, then you are doing something wrong. Take your time and remember to try to complete the full movement. The most important thing to remember is that you need to be in the correct form before performing a stretch or exercise.

Relax and practice some deep breathing before you begin your regimen. Make sure that your mind and body are both equally into what you are doing in order to prevent further injury. Pilates exercises strengthen your body from the inside out. When you combine Pilates and stretching, you are giving your body the maximum benefit. By increasing your blood flow, you will be helping your body to deliver the nutrients that it needs to your back so that it can reach it's top healing potential.

Our bodies are natural healers on their own, there are just some parts that need a little extra help. Our back is a perfect example of that truth. There is no limit to the amount of stress and strain that we can put our back through. Knowing that we do not have to suffer is a stress reliever within itself. Not everyone knows that Pilates and stretching can help to alleviate their back pain. Start by practicing today, you will be a great example of how it really does help.

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Steven Giles has sinced written about articles on various topics from Spa, Pilates Exercise and Build Muscle. There are a range of DVD's on sale at www.pilatesorstretchforbackpain.com which have been recommended by a leading British Osteopath/Physiotherapist.Please visit my blog at www.stretchorpilatesforbackpain.com. Steven Giles's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.