What sounds like a ridiculous question stems from the fact that Pilates has been misunderstood by people looking for a physically challenging form of exercise. Pilates is as close to a perfect form of exercise as any because it benefits any age or condition. The value rests on your instructors ability to give you the appropriate prescription. It is true that Pilates offers extraordinary rehabilitative and restorative effects however, that is not the end of the story. In fact, Pilates in it's original form, provided vigorous exercise and conditioning to public service and military personnel. Joe Pilates himself was said to be disappointed with overly "feminizing" Contrology (the original name given to Pilates by Joseph Pilates) when it became popular in the professional dance community.
Many of the Pilates programs found around the West Coast lean heavily towards restorative therapy. The benefits are countless, but programs that challenge the athletically minded set are few. At Equilibrio, an athlete will find that after building a strong foundation of movement, body awareness and balanced musculature, the new movement harmony achieved bumps performance up a couple notches. We believe that we should not limit people prematurely. We pull our expertise from a variety of sources of modern exercise science. The result is a mix of tried and true and the most progressive techniques available. Even people with previous injuries should be challenged and continue to grow. This is when the workouts get fun!
I am a big fan of intense, sweaty workouts. Although this may not be for you right away (or ever), you may be amazed at the kinds of things you end up accomplishing at Equilibrio Pilates. And the best part is, you'll look forward to it!
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Pilates Effect on a Degenerating Spine
Degenerative disc disease, or osteoarthritis of the spine, is accelerated thinning and drying up of the intervertebral discs of the spine. This can cause bone spurring, loss of range of motion, and significant tightness of the musculature and strain on the ligaments surrounding those joints.
The increase in wear and tear is caused by years of micro traumas, poor posture, accidents, poor nutrition, emotional stress and poor conditioning. The result is postural deviations and micro inflammation of the joints of the spine and pelvis.
There are numerous therapies available to help people get out of their acute phase of pain. A western approach is to treat with anti inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxers and possibly (with luck) prescribe a good physical therapy program. A chiropractor, like myself, will use manipulative therapy and modalities of physical therapy to quickly allow a person to resume normal activities. With the body's innate ability to heal and these treatments, a person usually returns to a non-acute phase, but the source of the problem is not corrected and the pain will likely recur.
The only therapies which offer long standing results are the ones which involve active participation of the patient in his or her own care. At Equilibrio Pilates we give clients a connection to their core.
There is a long-term correction for weaknesses and imbalances!
Pilates is a brilliantly simple approach to correct the effects of micro trauma, years of misuse and inefficient body mechanics. Pilates teaches a progression of movements which stabilize the spine and pelvis in an integrative approach which strengthens, stretches and corrects imbalances.
Pilates opens up the intervertebral spaces in the spine providing nourishment to the disc which it needs since it does not get it's own blood supply. It gets nourishment through movement, rotation, etc. It is important for your practitioner to understand your condition in order to give you the right movements at the appropriate stage. At Equilibrio Pilates we take it one step further, getting you in upright, functional movements that mimic life and sports.
I have seen patients and clients at Equilibrio restore vitality and get their lives back. Get off the merry-go-round of chronic pain and start healing. Equilibrio Pilates offers this!
The increase in wear and tear is caused by years of micro traumas, poor posture, accidents, poor nutrition, emotional stress and poor conditioning. The result is postural deviations and micro inflammation of the joints of the spine and pelvis.
There are numerous therapies available to help people get out of their acute phase of pain. A western approach is to treat with anti inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxers and possibly (with luck) prescribe a good physical therapy program. A chiropractor, like myself, will use manipulative therapy and modalities of physical therapy to quickly allow a person to resume normal activities. With the body's innate ability to heal and these treatments, a person usually returns to a non-acute phase, but the source of the problem is not corrected and the pain will likely recur.
The only therapies which offer long standing results are the ones which involve active participation of the patient in his or her own care. At Equilibrio Pilates we give clients a connection to their core.
There is a long-term correction for weaknesses and imbalances!
Pilates is a brilliantly simple approach to correct the effects of micro trauma, years of misuse and inefficient body mechanics. Pilates teaches a progression of movements which stabilize the spine and pelvis in an integrative approach which strengthens, stretches and corrects imbalances.
Pilates opens up the intervertebral spaces in the spine providing nourishment to the disc which it needs since it does not get it's own blood supply. It gets nourishment through movement, rotation, etc. It is important for your practitioner to understand your condition in order to give you the right movements at the appropriate stage. At Equilibrio Pilates we take it one step further, getting you in upright, functional movements that mimic life and sports.
I have seen patients and clients at Equilibrio restore vitality and get their lives back. Get off the merry-go-round of chronic pain and start healing. Equilibrio Pilates offers this!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
