Will Pilates cure my back pain?

Any movement to the body will either help of hinder us. This will depend on the condition of the tissue, the health of the person plus the environment (in other words the allostatic load). As Hippocrates said: “Food is either your medicine or your poison”. The same goes for movement. There is no such thing as a bad exercise, only a badly prescribed exercise or movement. Pilates is always sold in national newspapers as the best thing for bad backs. The thing is everyone is different. I would say a large majority of people who I have taught over the years have definitely maintained a healthier body, mindset and spine by doing the low load moves that I have given them. There are always a percentage that have chronic pain that need to look at the body holistically in order to heal. For these people some of the Pilates repertoire has been a hindrance. They are not suitable for group programming and need to work one to one on diet, lifestyle and stress responses. This is why I will always request you to enter the studio through a consultation. If I feel that the semi private programming will be a hindrance a minimum of six months program will be offered focusing on diet and lifestyle as well as movement. This is because the body and mind cannot be separated, poor sleep, hydration, nutrition, belief system and breathing will all contribute to pain plus the stressors below.

The body is like a bathtub, everything falls into it. If there is no drainage system, it gets full till injury or dis-ease occur. When we go into a period of stress, the body moves from homeostasis to allostasis. So, if we are lifting heavy weights, doing a circuit, sitting in traffic, and late for the school run, the pressure in the body reaches boiling point. Every system in the body talks to the other systems. Hence the image above:

We must take into consideration the other aspects of the body. This is known as the allostatic load. The image below is from ‘Ghost in the machine’ research paper and clearly shows all the consideration that must be considered with anybody with any condition. We cannot afford to have a linear approach anymore. We are physical, emotional and spiritual beings. A cookie cut approach is always what we crave but is like putting a plaster on a rubber dingy. You never solve the problem long term.

When clients enquire to the studio, they are always taken through a phone consult. They are never thrown into sessions. The best way to enter the studio is through a four-hour chek consult. This means that we assess rather than guess. We subjectively and objectively look at everything in and around the body, from movement, specific measurements to sleep.

Top take away tip- Decompress your spine

Decompression can not only enhance performance but help you maintain a healthy spine. Sitting down increase spinal load and compression by 40%. Lying down supine decrease load by 25-35%. Most of us will have a faulty breath pattern disorder, incorrect curvatures of the spine and poor core stability due to a number of allostatic factors. As we naturally inhale, we build more length in the spine reducing cervical and lumbar curves. As we exhale the spine goes back to its orientation. Remember there is no direct blood supply to the discs and your discs get nourished through pumping and breathing.

The average person breathes 25,900 thousand times a day. If you have a healthy spine with normal curves you will optimal pumping of body fluids. To decompress your spine, simply lie on your back, preferable on a foam roller and take a chin tuck.

Serious about ending your backpain?? Get in touch on 0800-246-1251

Bibliography

Paul Chek blogs

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29861247/

About the Author: Nisha Srivastava

Nisha is a certified level 3 Chek practitioner and holistic lifestyle coach specialising in Pilates and Yoga. Her journey started when a visiting Laban teacher introduced her to Pilates at Dance College in a contemporary class during her first year. Its effects were forgotten but she then re-discovered Pilates through Michael King eleven years later whilst running her dance school. Her background spans over 32 years with formal training in classical ballet, modern dance, tap, national choreography, stage production and theatre. Her formation includes Pilates, Thai bodywork, Yoga, GYROTONIC, GYROKINESIS, Garuda and anatomical studies. Her particular interest is fascia, and the connective lines and movement patterns that allow a full moving structure rather than the isolation of bones and muscles. Her fascination with questioning the traditions of modern medicine and fascination with searching for meaningful answers has taken her in many different directions and has offered her an abundance of opportunities gaining a wealth of knowledge. “I tried many movement modalities and extended my search after experiencing fascia, because of its connection of movement. Quickly, I noticed my own body changing, as well as the bodies of my own clients. In the last 32 years of teaching I’ve developed my own movement and lifestyle philosophy". Throughout her studies Nisha has done numerous dissections with Julian Baker, Mel Cash and Cery Davies and has the opportunity to take lectures and courses from James de Silva, Robert Schleip, Joanne Avison, Tom Myers, Matt Wallden, Leigh Brandon, Emma Lane, Gary Carter, Paul Chek, Dan Hellman, Peter Blackaby plus many more. Nisha's teaching method promotes reflective self-discovery and provides the requirements to integrate a shift in consciousness for attaining individual goals. Nisha teaches in her own studios in St. Helens and Manchester, plus she also has an online following. Throughout her career she has also taught Sting, Sir Ian McKellen, Cirque de Soleil, Will Young and Belinda Carlisle. She has also worked in professional football and both Rugby League and Union for over 20 years. Players she has provided a specific program for were former Manchester Citys Vincent Kompany, Everton's Steven Pinnear and goal keeper Jonas Lossi. She maintains that an attitude of compassion, consistency and joyous humour are excellent components to growth and expanded potential. She welcomes all level of movers from the beginner to the seasoned athlete who have a desire to increase their skill potential, also teachers and students. Her specialties include assisting post rehabilitative back pain individuals, injury prevention for athletes and spine health for everyday people.

Tel: 0800 246 1251
E: info@yoga-anatomy.com