There’s a lot of misinformation out there regarding lower back issues. Specifically the role of pilates in fixing lower back issues. I wanted to drop by and share something really helpful for you.
Misinformation about solutions for lower back issues can lead to ineffective treatment. This can potentially worsen the problem. I don’t want that for you. I want you to experience relief and improvement in your lower back health.
So here is what I want to share with you today:
Understanding the role of Pilates:
Pilates is often touted as a solution for lower back problems. It is important to understand that it may not address the root cause of your issue. Many people come in to see us with ongoing lower back issues despite doing pilates for some time. Pilates primarily focuses on core strength and flexibility, which can be beneficial for overall health. Pilates typically lacks the specificity. I will explain below. To remove lower back issues you must target the underlying factors and build their capaciyt over time.
The dosage and exercises are not targeted enough:
Pilates is typically not run at a high enough intensity to build sufficient strength in the muscles to support your lower back. Pilates exercises are good for what we can motor control. That is being able to improve your brain muscle connection. However once this is established, they need to get stronger.
Now, I have discussed this before, there three key pillars to resolve lower back issues. These are your hips, your legs and your core. While there is a core focus in pilates, it commonly does not strengthen the legs and hips to the required level. Additionally, the dosage typically rarely moves beyond motor control or strength endurance as I mentioned previously. This means that the muscles are not pushed enough and don’t strengthen enough. This leaves you frustrated and stuck. Commonly we find that classes are run 1-2 x a week. This frequency is insufficient to get physiological changes in the muscles as they need to pushed at a higher frequency of 3-4 times a week.
What are the key takeaways?
So to summarise. Pilates doesn’t typically push beyond motor control exercises. Pilates isn’t done with enough frequency. Pilates isn’t holistic enough to incorporate the 3 key pillars. Leaving you stuck, lacking progress and searching for answers.
Importance of a personalised approach:
Lower back issues can have various causes. These include muscle imbalances, poor posture, or very commonly reduced exercise habits over time. It’s crucial to have a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and circumstances. Simply relying on generic exercises or classes, such as Pilates, may not provide the targeted care required for your condition.
Listen, I hope this was helpful.
P.S: Want to learn more about how we can help you address your lower back problems effectively?
Ross Kinsella
