If you're undergoing physiotherapy for conditions such as lower back pain, posture issues or injured muscles, classical Pilates is an excellent option to consider. Classical Pilates has been around for many years, and it's geared toward better muscle control and posture. It can be used to help injured persons improve their physical condition and enjoy better health.
What is Pilates?
Classical Pilates is a series of physiotherapy-based exercises that were pioneered about 60 years ago. The Pilates exercises stimulate your brain to have better control over your muscles. These exercises are a mix of stretching, body positioning and using special tools to achieve better muscle health.
Currently, there are many different variations of Pilates exercises. Some variations cater to lower back pain, neck pain and even lumbar stabilisation. However, classical Pilates remains true to the original founders of these exercise routines. They can be used to support your current physiotherapy routine and to improve your physical health. Talk to your doctor about incorporating Pilates into your physiotherapy routine.
Here are specific ways through which classical Pilates improves your overall health.
1. Better posture
Classical Pilates includes exercises that focus on endurance in the legs, back and arms. You will often engage in body conditioning routines that slowly adjust your limbs to become stronger and more flexible. These exercises can be used over time to strengthen an injured limb (such as a fractured arm) and to restore functionality.
Classical Pilates also end up improving your body posture. With stronger muscles and limbs, you will be able to maintain a healthy stance when walking, cleaning the home or carrying heavy objects.
2. Managing pain in the lower back
Lower back pain is a common reason why many people undergo physiotherapy. Classical Pilates helps to ease lower back pain. These exercises strengthen the spinal cord muscles and make them more flexible. As a result, tension and strains in the lower back area are reduced and the pain is eventually managed.
3. Improving muscle control
Perhaps the biggest benefit of classical Pilates is that it helps improve brain-muscle control. These exercises can be carried out in a range of difficulty levels, gradually increasing muscle tone and balance.
There are special tools that are used during Pilates (such as the wunda chair and bednasium) that help stimulate the brain to coordinate better with your muscles. People who are rehabilitating a fractured limb will find classical Pilates to be a useful physiotherapy option for restoring functionality in the affected muscles.
Share22 January 2019
Before I had my kids, I pictured that I would be much more relaxed staying at home and looking after my kids. I thought that the shoulder twinges and neck strains from sitting at a desk would go away, but little did I know they'd be quickly replaced by lower back pain from leaning over cleaning up and hip pains from carrying kids all day long - let alone recovering from birth. These days I have done a lot of research on how to look after my body and mind with massage treatments, which I collect on this site to share with other new mums.