Reformer Pilates for Back Pain

In this modern-day and age, many people work sitting in front of a computer. It is no surprise if they find it hard to sit up with proper posture for eight hours. Such a vicious cycle – sitting for long periods of time, usually in a little hunched-over position, then the postural muscles lose strength because of not using them too much, and then you can hardly sit up properly because your muscles lack strength. As a result, you get back pain.

Now what?

To minimize back pain, you need to strengthen your core. Reformer Pilates is a fantastic way to stop this never-ending cycle. It builds core strength, increases flexibility and corrects muscle weaknesses and imbalances, just to name a few. And when it comes to preventing low back pain, it can be your serious ally.

Back Pain

If you ever complain of having an aching back, you’re not alone. Back pain is one of the most common problems, affecting 80% of people at some point during their lives. It causes many people to miss work or see their doctor, and it is also a leading cause of disability.

Most cases of back pain aren’t caused by a serious medical condition, but rather everyday habits such as poor posture and a sedentary lifestyle.

You have back pain if you experience these:

• • Aching muscles

• • Shooting or stabbing pain

• • The pain in the back radiates down the leg

• Your back has limited flexibility or range of motion

It’s important to take care of your lower back especially that it serves a lot of important functions in your body, such as structural support, movement, and protection of certain body tissues.

When you’re standing, the lower back supports the weight of your upper body. When you’re bending, extending or rotating your waist, your lower back is involved in the movement.

Low back pain affects males and females equally. The severity of pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp sensation that can be disabling. It can occur abruptly or it can develop over time.

How Reformer Pilates Can Help with Back Pain

A deep abdominal muscle called the transverse abdominous supports your lumbar spine. If you experience lower back pain more often, it’s likely you have a weak transverse abdominous. This also means your spine doesn’t get enough support from the abdominal muscles and is unstable when you’re doing daily tasks.

Reformer Pilates exercises help reduce and prevent back pain. They strengthen the core muscles that provide support for the back, teach proper body alignment and provide gentle stretches to relax tight back muscles.

It’s important not to restrict your movement too much if you have back pain. Slow and gentle movements are better than lying still in bed. Pilates is the best way to get moving. If you keep your back moving, it’ll become more supple and flexible. In addition, you can prevent low back pain because of the core-strengthening benefits of Pilates.

The principles of Reformer Pilates are consistent with its exercises, promoting back health. It’s also important to incorporate the techniques taught in Pilates into your everyday life.

Seeing a physiotherapist who also has a qualification in Pilates is ideal because the kind of back pain you have will influence the exercises you should do. A physiotherapist can tailor your exercises according to your specific presentation.

Keep yourself active and fight back pain with Reformer Pilates! Book your free Pilates Body Assessment here or call Best Body today on 9272 7359!