Will Pilates ‘fix’ my bad back? (or neck/shoulder/knee/...insert injury here!!)
The answer is .... it could possibly help, but seek medical advice and get clearance from a medical professional first.
We, as Pilates teachers, get asked this a lot. Along with the age old ‘my ........ is hurting, should I come to class???’
Whilst Pilates gets a heap of good press about being this amazing healer of all injuries and ailments, it is not a always a quick ‘fix’ for medical problems or issues.
Yes Pilates is sometimes just what your long suffering achy neck, shoulders and bad back needs - a bit of movement, a stronger core, realignment, some deep breaths and a well deserved one hour MOT for your body.
BUT, and this is a big huge BUT, we as Pilates teachers are not medical professionals and cannot diagnose what is going on inside your body nor tell you whether you should or shouldn’t be in class. We will, a lot of the time, have a good idea by seeing you move what exercises and movements may help to aid in your rehab and recovery process but we cannot promise to fix you with the magic of Pilates, although we will try our very best.
I would always encourage beginners or anyone returning to Pilates after a long break or injury to start with a 1:1 session, wherever possible. This is essential if you have any acute pain, serious injury or medical issues going on. We can speak to and work with your physio/osteopath/consultant and take their advise on any movements that may need adapting for now. And please, please, please make sure you tell us about any injuries and have had clearance from a medical professional to do Pilates, please don’t ask us... we cannot tell you yes or no... sorry!
That is not saying Pilates doesn’t work, I can speak for myself, and many of the teachers at Mycore, that we have all used Pilates to help us with our own injuries over the years. Plus we’ve all taught numerous clients who have said how transformed they feel after just one class or a short course of Pilates. Physically/mentally and just general well-being. The bad back, dodgy shoulder has eased and they can now move again without pain. Maybe just the sense of calm in themselves that they are doing good by taking that all important hour out of their day, to focus solely on themselves - no mobile phone, no emails, no children or pets demanding their time. When else do we do that in this day and age, not enough I know! Movement really does heal, and with the current sedentary lifestyles that many of us now lead, exercise is as important as ever.
Our weekly teachers class on a Friday afternoon starts with us all lying down on the reformer, taking a deep breath and we all feel instantly better after an hour of ‘me’ time.
If you are suffering with injury or an ongoing medical issue please seek professional help. We have a host of fabulous Physiotherapists and Osteopaths in Hitchin and locally who we can recommend (please see below). I know sometimes people are reluctant to pay privately for this but with a long suffering NHS you could be waiting a very long time for an appointment sadly. I always say to clients and loved ones ‘if your car was making funny noises, would you pay to get it fixed? Or just wait until it had completely broken down??!’ Look after yourselves peeps! 😊
These professionals all come highly recommended by Mycore Pilates:
The Woodside Osteopathic Clinic