Is Pilates Good for Your Spine?
Looking for relief for your aching back? Wondering if Pilates is a good choice for your body? Have you seen various Pilates equipment and are unsure if it will help you? You will soon find out what your spine really needs and whether Pilates can provide it.
What does your spine need?
Your spine needs a healthy position during sleep, work, and plenty of movement. Additionally, it requires a lot of water; otherwise, dehydration can quickly occur, leading to increased susceptibility to injuries. However, we will focus on movement. Movement is what nourishes the intervertebral discs and strengthens other structures. Our body needs movement very much. The times we live in require us to spend a large number of hours in a sitting position. As long as we have to sit, we should strive to maintain the most correct posture possible. It is also worth taking short breaks from sitting, standing up, and moving around, even if it’s just a few steps and arm movements. Your spine also needs a strengthened muscle collar.
How to strengthen the muscles around the spine without fear of injury? Go to PILATES!
The primary task and assumption of Pilates is to strengthen the abdominal and back muscles that support the entire weight of the body – all to ensure that the muscles can carry this weight without pain for many years. Pilates exercises are not just a type of training but also an effective rehabilitation and relaxation tool. By choosing Pilates exercises (especially on machines), you will learn exercises that will incredibly improve the condition of your spine. Exercising under the guidance of an experienced instructor will make your spine more flexible, and thus healthy. As Joseph Pilates himself said: “You are as young as your spine is flexible.” However, if your spine causes you a lot of problems, mainly due to pain, go to a Pilates studio that collaborates with a physiotherapist. Such a duo can truly work wonders.
What will you gain by practicing Pilates?
By choosing this form of assistance for your spine, you will provide yourself with many more benefits:
- you will strengthen your abdominal, gluteal, and back muscles, which will help you achieve proper posture for your entire body,
- these exercises decompress and stretch the spine, which means increased flexibility and reduced excessive stiffness,
- you will get rid of persistent pain and relieve your tired spine,
- strengthening the back and spine muscles will help you eliminate incorrect movement patterns and prevent spinal injuries,
- if you have a curved spine, precise movements, appropriately selected exercises, and a calm pace will allow you to conduct effective therapy and prevention.
In summary: Pilates was created for your spine – and in addition, its calm pace will allow you to relax and unwind. If you care about good health and excellent condition, Pilates classes will quickly become your effective therapy and a pleasant escape from everyday life.
I am a graduate in Managerial Economics as well as Finance and Accounting, with a specialization in Marketing. Since 2018, I have been working as a Copywriter at Balanced Body, where I create marketing content for the fitness and Pilates industries. One of my particular strengths is translating complex topics into accessible language and accurately analyzing the needs of target audiences. Outside of work, I am passionate about fire shows and volleyball, which helps me better understand the needs of physically active people.