Is it fair to say that, the spine is the backbone of the body? The spine is not made to be stiff or welded together, and must be maintained with care to serve in all the activities of daily living. A look at the spinal column demonstrates its complexity of bones, muscles, joints, ligaments and nerves al intertwined to provide balance, mobility and protection of the nervous system.
Unfortunately, chronic lower back pain affects millions of people from all walks of life. Chronic pain leaves you all consuming and it can dominate your life. Your everyday activities may no longer seem relevant and could drain away your good spirits.
Few of us, tax our bodies as much as professional dancers or professional athletes do, but we are all subject to physical stress and we are all open to injury. Pilates exercises target the deep postural muscles to achieve core stability, strength and improved muscle balance, flexibility and healthy posture.
Why Pilates comes highly recommended for those who suffer from back pain?
Pilates is slow elegant movements, and uses no quick jerky motions that can often lead to injuries. Joseph Pilates designed his exercises to be rehabilitative, they were engineered specifically for the injured. The foundation of Pilates is strengthening and stabilising the core - the trunk muscles, responsible for postural correct and safe movement. The method begins a healing process as a result of increased circulation to the injured areas. Joseph Pilates called this improved circulation an "internal shower".
Pilates engages both the superficial or "big" muscles and the deeper muscles, so that the entire muscle system gets a balanced workout. It allows overused muscles to disengage, giving them a rest while weaker, less utilised muscles are strengthened. For example, among the abdominal muscles, the more superficial muscles (rectus abdominis) and the deeper muscles (transversus abdominis and the internal and external obliques) form a kind of built-in girdle that supports the torso and stabilises the spine.
Although Pilates and Yoga share some features, such as stretching and mindful breathing, Pilates' purpose is to have less strain on muscles and connective tissue than yoga, especially where fusions begin and end, as it requires less twisting of the torso.
Pilates takes into account each individual's physical strengths and limitations and offers a biomechanically complex program of healing.
Pilates workouts incorporates movement of the whole person, which extends to your mind and emotions as well, it demands intense focus for precision of movement. In practising Pilates you must be keenly aware of the positioning of many muscles during any one movement, a requirement that heightens your concentration and your ability to be "in the moment" and for this reason, Pilates is never boring. Improvement of the precision of movement, the ease and beauty of proper motion offers you a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. Pilates is then holistic, it creates a mind-body connection.
After a Pilates workout, you generally don't feel exhausted - rather, you feel calm and relaxed. Pilates is of course also great for healthy people to maintain flexibility and joint mobility, core strength, and to help prevent injury.
Commitment and consistency to a Pilates program will result in;
stronger muscles
graceful posture
improved circulation
a more streamlined shape
firmer stomach and buttocks
a decompressed spine
lubricated joints
pain reduction
an improved sense of well-being
Balance in posture- one of Pilates Method's primary goals and result - eliminates a lot of aches and pains, especially back ache. - Dr. Nagler.