Modified Pilates
Modified Pilates Services in Cumbria
What is Modified Pilates?
Modified Pilates designed by Physiotherapists, breaks down Traditional Pilates exercises into therapeutic exercises for people with low back pain. Joseph Pilates observed that pain, caused by injury or degeneration, would often fail to resolve. Joseph concluded that when one part of the body was in pain another part of the body would over-compensate. A status quo would temporarily be maintained until the overcompensating area could no longer take the strain.
This compensation of one muscle group to 'cover' for another muscle group eventually leads to a muscle imbalance and further pain. Originally designed for dancers, traditional Pilates exercises are very physically demanding and not suitable for those with low back pain (LBP), neck pain or peripheral joint injuries. Therefore, Australian Physiotherapists Elisa Stanko and Glenn Withers, analysed and modified the original repertoire into a system of exercises which aim to restore muscle balance and correct postural alignment. Modified Pilates is based on retraining correct activation of the core stabilising lumbo-pelvic muscles - Multifidus, Transversus Abdominis and the pelvic floor.
What can Modified Pilates can help?
Some examples of conditions Modified Pilates can help include:
- Chronic/recurrent low back pain
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spinal patients 6-8 weeks post-op
- Patients whose numbness, pins and needles
- Chronic/recurrent neck, shoulder or upper back pain
- Headaches associated with neck pain/stiffness
- Whiplash injuries
- United spinal fracture
- Pregnancy
- Pelvic pain
What is the aim of Modified Pilates?
Modified Pilates can help to:
- Retrain the deep abdominal and back muscles to reduce the recurrence of back pain
- Restore muscle balance
- Improve postural awareness
The 'cornerstone' of Modified Pilates is that, before any activity commences, you are taught how to engage the 'core' muscles. These muscles form a 'cylinder of stability' (Hodges 1999) which provides a stable point in the body allowing other muscles to perform efficiently.
You will be taught how to isolate muscle activity then progress to more advanced movements and then finally to include them in your everyday life or sports/hobbies that you enjoy.
For more information on the range of Modified Pilates services that we offer at North Lakes Physio please contact us using the information on our contact us page.
