Pilates

Pilates is a form of exercise that involves stretching, breathing & strengthening to rehabilitate injuries. The method was founded by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900's.

The pilates method focuses on the strengthening and toning the core or powerhouse of the body. Precise, controlled movements are done, with a focus on breathing and focusing & concentrating on the position.

Pilates has been embraced by the physiotherapy profession, and many physios are proficient in pilates. It is used as a rehab tool, as well as general strengthening and flexibility training.

Pilates classed are widely offered, with mat pilates, reformer, and various other pieces of equipment being utilised. It has become a bit of a group exercise craze, with pilates for pregnancy, and pilates for athletes amongst a few of the classes offered.

A key principle of pilates is to stabilize the core. This means contracting muscles around your torso to help stabilize your lumbar spine. Transverse abdominus (TA) is one of the key muscles in doing this. TA is one of the deep abdominal muscles. It lies below the rectus abdominus which is your sixpack muscle. Below that are the internal and external obliques, which are the muscles that help rotate the spine. And deep to those muscles is the TA. This is the muscle that draws your belly button in towards your spine.

Often in people who are suffering back pain, the TA muscle is not functioning properly. It is not being activated correctly by the nervous system which means it can't play its role in stabilizing the lumbar spine.

Pilates is a method that works to get this muscle functioning correctly again. Pilates instructors are skilled at cueing how to activate this muscle, as its quite a subtle and difficult movement to master.

Pilates can be great for all sorts of people. The fact that physio's have embraced this method suggests that it has benefits in a rehab setting. People with back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders can certainly benefit.

The general public are also getting involved with pilates as it can have an impact on preventing injuries and is a low intensity, non intimidating exercise environment.

Athletes are also getting involved, with many professional sports teams doing pilates as part of their training regimes.