If you suffer from back pain, you’re not alone. At least a third of Americans experience some kind of back discomfort each year. While back pain can have a variety of causes, the most common sources of pain that we’ve seen at Puget Sound Pilates are poor posture and muscular imbalances.
Most of us, even if we spend time exercising, have work that really isn’t great for our posture or core strength. Many of us have jobs that require us to sit all day, and often our posture leaves a lot to be desired.
Over time, postural imbalances and core muscular weakness create misalignment and strain on the spinal column, which in turn can put pressure on nerves in the spine. This leads to pain and more weakness.
Pilates is an effective way to restore your body’s natural strength and flexibility, according to a 2017 study. In this research paper, the authors started with 54 patients with chronic back pain. Half attended two Pilates classes a week for eight weeks; the other patients received a brochure on posture and exercises they could do at home.
The researchers evaluated all study participants before and after on disability scores, pain levels, lumbar mobility, flexibility, and balance.
At the end of the study, the authors found, “significant improvements on disability, current pain and pain at it least, flexibility and balance immediately after the treatment in the participants included in the experimental group compared to those included in the control group.”
Pilates works to strengthen and balance your body’s core, which relieves the strain and pressure on nerves and muscles in your spine. We’ve helped many people in our Olympia studio, and we might be able to help you, too.
If you suffer from back pain and would like a natural approach that helps correct the underlying cause of your pain, give us a call today at (360) 951-4771 for more information.
Valenza MC, Rodríguez-Torres J, Cabrera-Martos I, Díaz-Pelegrina A, Aguilar-Ferrándiz ME, Castellote-Caballero Y. Results of a Pilates exercise program in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Clinical Rehabilitation 2017;(6):753-760. doi: 10.1177/0269215516651978