Pilates for Low Back Pain

Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide with up to 80% of adult’s experiencing low back pain during their lifetime. Most cases of low back pain are due to a multi-dimensional factors and very small percentage (1%) of patients will have serious pathology. While there is limited evidence to support individual risk factors as strong predictors of low back pain there is however evidence for the presence of muscle weakness and general deconditioning as one contributor. Subsequently exercise has been shown to be one of the most effective treatment approaches for low back pain.

Pilates aims to increase the strength and control of the muscles around the spine and the pelvis. This helps improve and restore everyday movements, as well as reducing the load on your joints. Practising Pilates regularly helps to promote balance and improve posture. It also increases body awareness, which plays a pivotal role in the prevention of injury and rehabilitation in low back pain.

It is easy to perform Pilates exercises incorrectly. So, having a knowledgeable teacher who ensures correct form and execution is very important. The aim of Physiotherapy-led Pilates classes is to provide education, focusing on rehabilitation, for the effective management of low back pain.

Our Pilates Rehab classes are open to anyone who wants an active approach to managing their low back pain. No experience in Pilates is needed. We will incorporate a variety of standing and lying down strengthening, mobility and stretching exercises.

Neti pot

When I was training to be a yoga teacher, one of the 6 purification techniques taught to us was Jala Neti ( also called Neti or Jaaneti). Purification techniques are sometimes performed as a way of preparing the body for a yoga practice. Whenever the neti pots came out, I disappeared, always needing to be somewhere else at that moment in time… I had many techniques to avoid it: the bathroom, the water fountain, the shop, anything but the Net. Pouring a saline solution up my hooter was really not for me and I have avoided it right up to today. I have got a steaming cold and, as a result, I now have sinus pain, so I have decided to give it another go. Talk about waiting until your back is against the wall! I rushed to the Sivanada yoga studio nearby and bought myself a ceramic neti pot and salt. I had to follow the one photographic image as the instructions were in German!!! Although I did not find it as unpleasant as some people describe, it was not as bad as I remembered. So I will us...

Sharath Jois in London 2013

Sharath Jois will be in London teaching a week of primary and intermediate ashtanga yoga From 25th-30th of August- in a central London location. Booking for this will open mid May. Through http://www.astangayogalondon.com/index2.cfm A rare and wonderful treat to have Sharath in my home town-A big thank you to Hamish Hendry and ashtanga yoga London for organising this. Going to have to set an alarm on my phone- as there will be a lot of takers for this....

All about the balance

A snap from inside my fridge this week. The mix of wine, beer and Vita Coca sort of sums up my family really. The ones that drink wine and beer don't go in for the coco water, and the coco water drinker doesn't go in for wine or beer. In summary, none of us need worry about the other nicking all the drinks. :-)

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