Pilates for back injury strain

Triathlon Forum
1

Hi all,

I’ve heard from several people that Pilates is good for core strength and to help recover from lower back strain / injury. I’ve heard there are different “styles”, but must confess my ignorance. Can anyone recommend a good DVD to get to start with?

Thanks,

Tom

2

I have had my share of back woes in the past. FYI - I bought this DVD.

http://www.bluedogyoga.com/dvd.htm

3

My reccomendation: If you are serious about pilates, then it’s best to go and sign up for a small semi-private group with a good pilates instructer who can spend some time with you one-on-one to understand what the movements and the poses are all about. It’s VERY different than any other form of strength training and you need to toss a few beliefs out the window. However, it is VERY effective in strengthing the key core muscles( tranverse abdominus and multifidus being two of the more important ones for people with back problems) that are deep and hard to strengthen with more traitional exercise routines.

Fleck

4

You need to go to a class and get creamed by the super chicks!

http://www.thestudiomaui.com/images/pilates%20083.jpg

5

I will second what Fleck says and go one step further, if you can: find a Pilates instructor that is also a physical therapist. They will truly understand your back issues and help you work around them.

I had a severe central herniation at L5-S1 that was operated on in 2002. Since then, I have done a lot of PT and a fair amount of Pilates, as well as have a baby and do another IM, and I still don’t feel comforatable doing Pilates without a fair amount of oversight.

Hope your back feels better soon.

-Danielle

6

Pilates worked very well for me after back surgery and even helped with the epidural fibrosis.

I would suggest working first with your PT to be sure you are properly activating the TA and multifidis muscles.

I did not go to an instructor but I do have a close friend who is one and she told me that I really did not have to take pilates classes if I had knowledge of the techniques on activation of muscles.

There are several good books that are fairly inexpensive out there that can help you out.

The book of Pilates by Joyce Gavin is very good. Barnes and Noble

I went into doing these exercises very discouraged after trying many things and not having any success releiving me of severe pain.

Good luck to you.