Pilates bad for your back?

AC · Joined: 10 Mar 2007 Posts: 52 Location:

Has anyone seen the article on The Daily Mail (UK newspaper) website on Friday 9th March 2007 that pilates can be bad for you back.
What does everyone think about this?
I'm a beginner and have just started using the Aero Pilates machine with the dvd. Enjoying it, but need to be more motivated. Just a bit worried about what this article says.

grovesy · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 174 Location:

Yes I saw the article too but did not take much notice of it. It did also say that some types of yoga were not good for the back either.
I did yoga to get me back into exercising and then moved on to Pilates, which is the only form of exercise I have stuck with . That was nearly 4 years ago.
I personally have found that Pilates has helped my back, I no longer need to see the Chiropractor so often.

Cheri · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 175 Location:

I'm curious - did they specify what type of Pilates workout? - the reformer or matwork? The beauty of the reformer is that it supports your back. I know you can hurt yourself during matwork - I sure did!

Marge · Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 192 Location:

I haven't seen the article but the fact is any form of exercise can be harmful if not done correctly.

I had sciatica for over a year and could not use my machine at all (I have to keep it folded away so putting it up was too difficult at the time). When I gradually started using my machine again the physio told me to avoid anything that put my back into a c-curve and not to do the legs in straps series, and only to do the hundred in the chair position.

It was frustrating for a while but I slowly built up strength and now can do all the exercises I want.

Imo the key to doing Pilates correctly is to understand the breathing and learning how to engage the abdominals correctly, because this is what supports the back.

marie berry · Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 30 Location:

I read the article but got the impression they were talking about matwork pilates as they never mentioned reformers.

I've been using the reformer for 6 years with no injury to my back as it actually protects it by aligning your body while doing the exercises. Like Cheri i did hurt my back while doing matwork though.

KathyEliz · Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 36 Location:

I have done the Pilates Mat workouts before and always found them hard on my back. Although I still have a slight challenge with my tailbone on the Reformer, it is better. I believe as I continue to strengthen my core and work on the proper allignment it will get better. I think the key is doing the exercises correctly. My husband is a prim example of doing it in a way that will cause injury. He tried it before, he is way too fast, holds his breath, etc. He would do the V position (floor work) like a sit up, one after another rather quickly (although he would hold for a second) I think he would do like 25 or more.

magnolia · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 3 Location:

Hi, I am embarrassed to say that (A) I am new to posting on this forum (B) I wrote a reply and do not know what happened to it as it has not posted (C) Does it take a while or should I just rewrite it?
I will just write the basic of what I was trying to say regarding the Article, then I can quit wondering what I did,LOL.
I did not read the article but I can say that Marjolein and the Pilates 4500 machine, saved me from myself! I have had two major back surgeries, rods etc. but the Lumbar failed to work leaving me in a great deal of pain, angry and disabled. When I began working on the Pilate's machine, I could feel the difference almost immediately, just in how I felt Mentally, Physically and Spirtually..I had done Yoga in much earlier years and I know that I could not do that any longer nor could I do the mat Pilates, as good as it may be, I could not do it with all of the twisting, bending and no support for my Core, I would indeed be in trouble. I can only guess, the Article, as Merry Berry? stated, had to have been about the matt work! Otherwise, maybe someone should write a rebuttal to the article if it is giving the impression ,all Pilate's is bad for the back. I moved back to a very remote, cold, somewhat backward area,hometown, when I became disabled and they have never heard of a Pilate's machine, not the Physical Therapists, Drs. , no one..I am pushing for them to at least look at one and see how they work and how great they would be for so many people. I have at least peeked their interest..An article like the one you all described would be enough for them all to say "See I knew it would not work, or I told you it was a bad thing", you have to have lived here LOL....
Thank you all for listening and hopefully you do not get this twice posted..
Magnolia aka Kathy

grovesy · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 174 Location:

Hi Magnolia,
In to-day's paper (16/03/2007), on the letters page there is a letter from somone who is saying they owe there recovery form an accident to PIlates. So much so that they now teach Pilates and have done for a number of years. They suggest that damge to backs from Pilates maybe more to do with the standard of teaching of PIlates.

magnolia · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 3 Location:

Now that is more like it!!! What paper are you talking about, I would like to print it out and deliver/mail it to my Drs. I know that Marjolein herself, found Pilates to be a huge factor in her healing of foot/leg. I believe in it more than anything I have ever tried or seen. Plus it makes a person feel so good durimg and after.

Thanks so much for your response and if you could let me know what paper I can pull it up on-lline and print the article..

Kathy

grovesy · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 174 Location:

It is the UK daily called the Daily Mail. Th paper its self is available online but I don't know if they have the letters online.

sydney · Joined: 29 May 2007 Posts: 129 Location:

Hey Magnolia
I wonder is that your real name? I named my daughter Magnolia people really give me a hard time about it. She loves it I think its a very pretty name. Anyway I just saw it on the web page just wondred.

Sydney

njquilter · Joined: 09 May 2008 Posts: 2 Location:

I have been using my AeroPilates machine since October and have found that it has helped my bad so much that I too do not have to go the chiropractor as often. I find that working out with Pilates has helped my back and enables me to function better. There are certain exercises that I simply can't do in the program because of my knees or limited mobility but I have found that I am moving more and more easiy because of this machine and my dedication to using it.
Diane

insurancelady · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 3 Location:

Thank you everyone for taking time a while back to write on here about pilates reformer and your back pains. I purchased the machine several months ago but have not yet been able to get started with it. I have many herniated discs in my neck and low back. My low back is the worst and I am fighting hard to avoid back fusions. With all the pain I am in however, I am close to 'giving in' to back surgery although I have heard many horror stories over the past 13 years since 2 car whiplashes, one 13 years ago and another one many years before that. Thank you though for your encouraging notes here about feeling better from pilates reformer and your back pain and I am hopeful to gain some benefits. I also have fibromyalgia so I live with constant pain. I too moved back to a smaller town than I am used to living in and have found it difficult to find the right help -- or even any real understanding - from medical professionals about the level of pain that I cope with. Thanks again for all your encouragement and I am looking forward to getting started this weekend.
If anyone knows of DVDs that are specific to back-pain and strengthening that area please let me know. All I have is the beginner DVD that came with the equipment and it doesn't seem to be what I need or can eveb physically do at this time. Ideas would sure be appreciated if you know of DVDs I could purchase that might help this situation? thank you!!