How Pilates Can Improve Joint Pain

Pilates is a form of exercise that emphasizes the balanced development of the body through core strength, flexibility and awareness, in order to support efficient, graceful movement. Joseph Pilates developed this exercise method and it has become one of the most popular workouts in today’s society.

Pilates and Your Joints

Joint pain and Pilates go hand in hand because one of the biggest benefits of this exercise is the ability for it to strengthen muscles and increase joint flexibility. Pilates is a low impact workout that can be performed by those who suffer with joint pain.The smooth movements in Pilates helps to improve range of movement in the stiff joints and can help with pain relief. The increased awareness of joint alignment within movement promotes joint health whilst also minimizing the destructive forces that weight bearing can subject joints to.

What Happens During A Pilates Class?

Here at Ballsbridge Physiotherapy Clinic, we provide Pilates classes that are taught by a Chartered Physiotherapist. Classes are mat-based with exercises being performed in standing, lying, side-lying and on all fours.During the class you may use the assistance of equipment, which can help to make the movement suitable for a variety of clients, including arthritis sufferers. This means the arthritis patient can move their joints in safe and controlled angles that would otherwise create pain or discomfort for them.Pilates also provides proper breathing and core work, along with supported movement. This can help lubricate joint surfaces, providing nutrition to the cartilage. Smooth, pain-free movement can help reduce inflammation. It helps to reduce pressure on the joints by strengthening the surrounding tissues and improving flexibility and proper biomechanics.This exercise can be especially effective for back pain as a result of your core being strengthened and your posture being improved. This can therefore relieve stress on the joints and muscles. Pilates can help you to train and re-educate your muscles how to move correctly. The results are:

• Improved muscle strength
• Increased range of motion
• Flexibility

If you would like more information about our Pilates classes, please contact us.