How they help

pilates positionInjury Prevention

Injuries occur when exercising or through the simplest of everyday actions due to a lack of body connection and awareness. This is why physical therapists, such as osteopaths and physiotherapists, recommend Pilates as part of rehabilitation programmes to their clients. Pilates mobilises and strengthens the body, bringing back balance, and allowing it to work more efficiently.

Also a constant build up of tension in the muscles from regular activity may lead to stresses on joints, ligaments, tendons, as well as the muscles themselves. Regular sports massage may help prevent injuries that might otherwise be caused by overuse.

Postural imbalances

Demanding work lifestyles often mean enduring repetitive isolated movements or long periods of standing and sitting. This over develops muscles and weakens others causing misalignments in the skeleton to occur. Holding static positions while concentrating on other tasks leads to tension and stress in the back and neck. Pilates and sports massage can help open and realign the muscles to regain their strength and flexibility.

Teenagers

I have taught teenagers with back and knee problems due to their somewhat sedentary lifestyle and the stresses of taking exams, on top of the normal problems associated with a growing body. These problems can prevent them joining in with general sports, crucial for their fitness, well-being, and injury prevention. Pilates has helped them to specifically address postural weaknesses giving them greater confidence.

Some children experience growing pains which is when their bones grow faster than their muscle which causes discomfort, sports massage can help lengthen the muscle fibres and reduce discomfort. This is especially useful if teenager is undergoing a physical training programme as they are putting additional demands on their bodies.

Elderly

For the elderly or those unable to lie on the floor, the principles of Pilates are applied to gentle movement classes to maintain mobility, improve the balance, and co-ordination that decreases with age and to help weakened posture.

Pregnancy

The growing weight of the baby and hormonal changes during pregnancy put strain and demands on the body that can lead to lower back ache, sciatica, and other postural related problems. Pre-natal Pilates helps the body deal with the changes it undergoes during pregnancy by building strength and stamina. Focusing on a mind body connection promotes relaxation while working with different breathing patterns, and a pre-natal Pilates exercise programme can help with a positive pregnancy and birth experience.

Post-natal Pilates helps to get the body back into shape more effectively and efficiently. Problems such as symphysis pubis, diastasis recti, and a weak pelvic floor can be helped with a Pilates rehabilitation programme. Tension and muscle imbalance is a common occurrence from breast feeding and holding the baby. As the body and posture changes to deal with the new demands of parenthood, Pilates can help mothers to strengthen, stretch, and realign while giving them precious time to focus on themselves.