Did you know that Pilates can help with chronic pain? Pilates was first developed by physical trainer Joseph Pilates as a method of recovery for soldiers in WWI. The very nature of the Pilates exercise, based on the principles Joseph Pilates created, makes it an ideal way to work on your body without further increasing sensations of pain or discomfort.
There are five main types of chronic pain that Pilates can help manage: back pain, neck pain, knee pain, hip pain, and shoulder pain. In addition to managing chronic pain, Pilates is an effective workout method that can help improve your overall strength, flexibility, and posture.
Find out more on how Pilates can help alleviate chronic pain below!
Pilates and Chronic Back Pain
Chronic back pain is defined as pain that persists for more than 12 weeks, ranging anywhere from your upper to lower back. It’s a common problem that affects hundreds of thousands of Australians, and Pilates can be an effective way to manage it, as well as alleviate the pain you feel.
A Pilates workout consists of a series of low-impact exercises that stretch and strengthen the muscles in your back, neck, and hips. These exercises can help improve your posture and alleviate tension in your back muscles, which is where the sensation of chronic pain is experienced in this case. In addition, Pilates can help increase the range of motion in your spine and improve your flexibility. The combination of these targeted exercises means that many individuals suffering from back pain can find considerable relief in their day-to-day lives.
Pilates for Chronic Neck Pain
If you suffer from chronic neck pain, Pilates may be able to help! Pilates exercises can help to alleviate the tension and pain you feel by stretching and lengthening the muscles in your neck. Pilates can also help improve your posture, which is often a contributing factor to chronic neck pain.
In addition, Pilates exercises can help to improve the range of motion in your neck and shoulders. Many of the Pilates exercises that target the neck also involve gentle movements of the head and eyes, which can help reduce strain on these sensitive areas.
Pilates Helps Chronic Knee Pain
Knee pain is a common problem that can be caused by a number of different factors, such as arthritis, tendinitis, or bursitis. Pilates exercises can help to alleviate knee pain by strengthening the muscles that support your knees. Stronger muscles around your knees mean more support for your joints, which can help to reduce the sensation of pain.
A lack of flexibility can also contribute to chronic knee pain, and Pilates is arguably one of the best flexibility-improving workouts available. By increasing the range of motion in your hips and thighs, Pilates exercises can help take the pressure off of your knees. This can lead to less pain and discomfort when moving or participating in activities that put stress on your knees.
How Pilates Alleviates Chronic Hip Pain
Hip pain is another common problem that affects many Australians at some point in their lives. Pilates exercises can help to alleviate hip pain by strengthening the muscles around the hip joint. Stronger muscles provide more support for your hip joint, which can help to reduce the sensation of pain.
Pilates workouts can help you become more flexible, and not being flexible is often a contributing cause of hip discomfort. By increasing the range of motion in your hips and thighs, Pilates exercises can help take the pressure off of your hips. This can lead to less pain and discomfort when moving or participating in activities that put stress on your hips.
Pilates Can Relieve Chronic Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain is a common problem that can be caused by a number of different factors, such as tendinitis, bursitis, or rotator cuff injuries. Pilates exercises can help to alleviate shoulder pain by strengthening the muscles around the shoulder joint. Stronger muscles provide more support for your shoulder joint, which can help to reduce the sensation of pain.
Pilates workouts can also help you increase your flexibility, which is a factor in the shoulder pain that many Australians experience. By increasing the range of motion in your shoulders and arms, Pilates exercises can help take the pressure off of your shoulders. This can lead to less pain and discomfort when moving or participating in activities that put stress on your shoulders.
Try Guided Group Pilates Classes at Club Pilates
If you’re looking for a Pilates workout that can help you manage your chronic pain, Club Pilates is the perfect place for you. Our guided group Pilates classes are designed to help you ease into Pilates exercises at your own pace, while still receiving instruction and support from our certified Pilates instructors.
At Club Pilates, we offer a variety of class types and levels that can accommodate everyone from beginners to advanced students. We also offer private Pilates sessions if you’re looking for a more personalised workout experience. Sign up for any of our signature classes at a Club Pilates near you today!
