We all know we should be vigilant, but letting life get in the way is easy. We all huddle at our desks at lunch. At funny angles, we hoist boxes. We get right into swinging rackets without any kind of pregame ritual.
However, it’s important to take care of our spines. They keep us alive and function as an extension of our minds. Mobility, balance, and brain function are all affected by spinal health. Pilates is a great approach to strengthen your core and improve your “spinal hygiene” in a short amount of time.
Pilates is a low-impact exercise method established by World War I veteran Joseph Pilates, who designed a series of resistance-based machines to assist his fellow men in recovering from their injuries in hospitals. Pilates based his workout program on the accuracy and full-body activity emphasized by these machines. This is still the basis of contemporary Pilates.
Physical therapist Dr. Shannon Murphy states, “Pilates lengthens the spine in natural positions to restore alignment, all while strengthening the muscles surrounding and supporting [it].” Pilates is a great exercise that may help you maintain mobility and strength as you age.
“Keeping our spines healthy as we age is essential to living an active and pain-free life.” What does Dr. Murphy mean? Throughout our lives, we struggle against gravity’s constant tugging and flexing of the spine.
As a result, Pilates may help stretch us in the other way, counteracting the effects of physics and an endless to-do list. Dr. Murphy claims that after doing Pilates, “many individuals feel taller.” The reason is that “bad posture causes a pulling apart of the vertebrae, which increases traction in the spine and alleviates the compression that might result in back pain.”
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Pilates’s ability to strengthen the spine is partly due to its focus on the core muscles—the transverse abdominals, pelvic floor, multifidus (the lowest layer), and the diaphragm.
Alana Sussan, owner of the Pilates Sculpt facility in Pasadena, California, says, “A strong core may assist stabilize and function as a support for your spine.” The abdominal muscles serve as the pivot point around which the body moves. The muscles in our core do the heavy lifting, relieving pressure on the spine.
Pilates, says Sussan, may help loosen up tight muscles and lessen or eliminate back discomfort for those of us who spend a lot of time sitting in cars, slumped over computers, or tapping away on smartphones.
Dr. Murphy elaborates, “I would completely suggest Pilates to someone with moderate back discomfort or recovering from an accident since Pilates develops the whole body while concentrating on spinal and core stability and mobility.”
Pilates is advantageous since it targets specific muscle groups and requires high accuracy. Those interested in trying it for the first time should enroll in a beginner’s class to learn the fundamentals, such as how to properly align the spine, breathe, and do the exercises. If you plan on taking a reformer class, you may want to equip yourself with a pair of grip-equipped socks beforehand.
According to Sussan, “Pilates is a progressive practice,” meaning you may always push yourself farther. “Exercises are performed at a modest and regulated pace; but, as time progresses, you will add to exercises, increasing stamina and intensity.” Pilates has been a favorite among athletes, dancers, and physical therapists for decades for good reason. People of all ages and areas of life may benefit from the improved spinal alignment and core strength it provides. Everyone hates discomfort in the neck. (The rear, too.) It’s not an exaggeration to claim that this practice may aid in ensuring your continued ease, mobility, and peak performance far into old age.
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