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Back problems
- Thread starter jago25_98
- Start date
I used pilates to recover from 2 herniated disks. Back then I was lucky to be walking and couldn't come close to touching my toes. And I was in CONSTANT pain!
I am now out of pain 99% of the time..and that other 1% is managable pain. I reach reach well beyond my toes and am back to doing all my old activities.
The key is to take it slow...start off doing what you can and build on that a little every time..don't be intimidated if you can stretch as far as others..go at your own pace...but remember to keep slowly increasing the intensity to keep making further progress.
I would recommend you consult a trainer or take a class to start out just to make sure you have the right technique. If nothing else at least get a video..it can be very difficult to judge movements looking at pics in books or cards when you are just beginning.
I am now out of pain 99% of the time..and that other 1% is managable pain. I reach reach well beyond my toes and am back to doing all my old activities.
The key is to take it slow...start off doing what you can and build on that a little every time..don't be intimidated if you can stretch as far as others..go at your own pace...but remember to keep slowly increasing the intensity to keep making further progress.
I would recommend you consult a trainer or take a class to start out just to make sure you have the right technique. If nothing else at least get a video..it can be very difficult to judge movements looking at pics in books or cards when you are just beginning.
Hello Mrs. Riley,
I have contstant back pain too and would like to start pilates again. I tried a few months ago but I was so inflexible. especially in my hamstrings that I was not able to do it very well. I could barely get my legs to get beyond 60% incline. I am afriad that I will make it worse. I have the windsor pilates dvd. Is that what you used? Your mesage is encouraging and I will try and use it again. Is there something you reccomend?
thank you
-Y
I have contstant back pain too and would like to start pilates again. I tried a few months ago but I was so inflexible. especially in my hamstrings that I was not able to do it very well. I could barely get my legs to get beyond 60% incline. I am afriad that I will make it worse. I have the windsor pilates dvd. Is that what you used? Your mesage is encouraging and I will try and use it again. Is there something you reccomend?
thank you
-Y
When I first posted this thread I had fairly minor back pain but I think complicated with piles.
Since then I've given it attention. In the end these were the things I've done:
- after hearing my back click when my girlfriend lyed on me I've found that a heavy wieght applied to the chest whilst lying down and carefully breathing out always sorts upper back problems in the immediate.
- lying on a flat floor for 5-10mins helps my lower back
- stretching my hamstrings makes the most difference - I recommend this to everyone, perhaps even those without problems
- I'm still working my upper back with wieghts as best I can. It's slow going; very differnt to easy muscles like biceps and chest
- posture. I can feel a problem coming on if I slouch and round my shoulders in front of the computer. Also, I've moved my computer to a position where I have to stand to use it - an inconvienince and not practical all the time but for this one workstation it's ok and again this has pretty much cured it all my itself
So, the main ones were: 1) stretch hams lots 2) avoid using a computer sitting down or be careful with the setup
Please note my situation was mostly preventitive action prompted by a little pain. Go careful but don't let the professionals scare you if you feel confident. I wasn't impressed with professional advise so I did it and am doing it myself with success. Doesn't work for everyone though
Since then I've given it attention. In the end these were the things I've done:
- after hearing my back click when my girlfriend lyed on me I've found that a heavy wieght applied to the chest whilst lying down and carefully breathing out always sorts upper back problems in the immediate.
- lying on a flat floor for 5-10mins helps my lower back
- stretching my hamstrings makes the most difference - I recommend this to everyone, perhaps even those without problems
- I'm still working my upper back with wieghts as best I can. It's slow going; very differnt to easy muscles like biceps and chest
- posture. I can feel a problem coming on if I slouch and round my shoulders in front of the computer. Also, I've moved my computer to a position where I have to stand to use it - an inconvienince and not practical all the time but for this one workstation it's ok and again this has pretty much cured it all my itself
So, the main ones were: 1) stretch hams lots 2) avoid using a computer sitting down or be careful with the setup
Please note my situation was mostly preventitive action prompted by a little pain. Go careful but don't let the professionals scare you if you feel confident. I wasn't impressed with professional advise so I did it and am doing it myself with success. Doesn't work for everyone though
As long as it's not structural problems, "low back pain" is relative to the posture of your ENTIRE body, not just your back... You need to think about what you are putting your body through the entire day... What do we do a lot of during the day?...... SITTING... More than likely you sleep on your side w/ your knees slightly bent... Sit at the breakfast table (hopefully), sit in the car, sit in the desk, sit, sit, sit, sit... Probably the worse thing you could do to your body...
With stayin in one position for too long is know as syntergistic dominance... basically muscles get really stronger, while their 'oppositing partner muscle' gets really weak... from there it's strengthening the weak muscles and stretching the strong muscles to fix those imbalances and take pressure of your back/pelvis, etc...
With stayin in one position for too long is know as syntergistic dominance... basically muscles get really stronger, while their 'oppositing partner muscle' gets really weak... from there it's strengthening the weak muscles and stretching the strong muscles to fix those imbalances and take pressure of your back/pelvis, etc...
I can prevent pain now.
What I'd like to do as well, a more rewarding thing, would be to get my shoulders resting naturally further back; looks a lot better and good prevention for injury.
Been working my back as hard and often as I can and stretch the front, possibly not enough.
No visible progress so far really. However I think it is making a difference because when I bring my left shoulder up and drop it I no longer get a tingling sensation (not uncomfortable or a problem but a good gauge).
Need more work on this. Perhaps I should stop working my chest?
What I'd like to do as well, a more rewarding thing, would be to get my shoulders resting naturally further back; looks a lot better and good prevention for injury.
Been working my back as hard and often as I can and stretch the front, possibly not enough.
No visible progress so far really. However I think it is making a difference because when I bring my left shoulder up and drop it I no longer get a tingling sensation (not uncomfortable or a problem but a good gauge).
Need more work on this. Perhaps I should stop working my chest?
Keep working your chest, make sure you have a 2 to 1 or even 3 to 1 ratio of "upper back" to chest exercises... As well as having your chest exercises BEFORE your "upper back" exercises in your workout routine... IF you are doing an exercise split where one day is Chest/Biceps (or whatever you do), make sure you have at least one "upper back" exercise and stretch your chest after you are done working out...
Pilates Exercise and Equipment - Lower Back
Hi,
I too had lower back pain for 30 years which resolved easily with Pilates done only once or twice a week.
My wife is a certified Pilates instructor and we have a website with a lot of good basic information about Pilates if you care to have a look. It is .
G
Hi,
I too had lower back pain for 30 years which resolved easily with Pilates done only once or twice a week.
My wife is a certified Pilates instructor and we have a website with a lot of good basic information about Pilates if you care to have a look. It is .
G