Pilates is a form of exercise with a huge range of benefits for all of life, and increasingly many people are using Pilates for chronic conditions and pain.
Chronic pain is a term which describes prolonged experiences of pain, usually defined as three months or more, where constant pain signals are given, and the brain therefore becomes overly sensitive to the region of the body affected.
Life can be very difficult for those suffering with chronic conditions, so it’s important to know that the solutions they’re looking to will really work.
That’s the question that this blog is answering, is it helpful to practice Pilates for chronic conditions and pain?
Would experts recommend Pilates for chronic conditions and pain?
I’ve had lots of people come to my sessions who have noticed an improvement in their levels of pain when they’ve consistently practiced Pilates and seen their chronic pain levels become much more manageable over time.
But it’s important not just to rely on anecdotal evidence and investigate the research behind it.
Research conducted in 2023 by Franks et al. concluded that ‘Pilates positively impacts core muscle strength and can be an effective intervention for people living with chronic low back pain.
A similar study published in 2022 found that Pilates was significantly effective for reducing back pain, neck pain and pain associated with knee osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
It’s clear that there is good, scientifically researched evidence that it helps to practice Pilates for chronic conditions and pain.
But how and why is it so beneficial?
How does Pilates help with chronic pain?
Alongside Pilates being helpful as a holistic practice, there are specific Pilates exercises which can help to reduce chronic pain.
These work by improving your primary muscular support system, taking the pressure off specific joints and other structures of the body, which ultimately leads to reduced pain levels.
Pilates also encourages you to use your body as whole by engaging different parts of it, helping the brain to stop focusing on just one painful area.
It involves lots of different exercises, making it a really engaging and enjoyable way to reduce or manage pain.
Pilates is perfect for those who suffer from chronic pain, as it increases muscle strength through low-impact, controlled exercises which can be adapted to suit each individual’s ability and need.
What are the benefits of Pilates for chronic conditions and pain?
There are so many ways that Pilates can benefit those who suffer from chronic conditions.
Many notice a general improvement in function and activity levels as Pilates improves your core strength, body awareness and flexibility, posture, joint stability and balance.
One of the benefits of improved joint mobility is that body movement becomes more normalised, as the strength and stability of supportive muscles grow too.
All this can lead to a reduction or even elimination of pain, and much less stiffness.
Another benefit of Pilates for chronic conditions and pain is how it can bring a sense of independence, as it promotes self-management of pain through improved movement patterns and posture.
For those with chronic conditions, this can mean a regained sense of agency over their pain, especially if they’re able to attend smaller classes where there can be a focus on individual treatment and help with specific exercises.
There might be certain movements to focus on or to avoid, which will help certain areas of the body or avoid pressure on particular areas of pain, which Pilates can help you to incorporate.
This is exactly the type of help and support you receive in our Pilates classes at New Healthy Body, as we keep our class numbers small and have a team of very knowledgeable and experienced instructors.
Pilates can also help to improve your mental health, as classes help to bring people out of a more sedentary or isolated lifestyle, providing social interaction and structure.
We all know the value of community and of staying active, and Pilates is a great way to do both, using exercises which are adaptable to each person’s needs and the pain points in their body.
Whilst being part of a friendly community where you will always feel welcome and supported by the team and other class members.
What should I consider before practicing Pilates for chronic conditions and pain?
If you’re considering whether you might start doing Pilates for chronic conditions and pain, there are a few things to look into before you dive right in.
It’s essential to make sure that your Pilates instructor is qualified to instruct classes and experienced in helping people suffering with pain and chronic medical conditions, so you know for certain that you are in good hands and the exercises are not going to exacerbate your condition
You should let your Pilates instructor know in advance through a health questionnaire about your condition and also at just before the start of your first class, so they can plan and give alternatives and adjustments throughout the class which will be more beneficial for you and your condition.
For example, if you suffer from chronic lower back pain due to a prolapse (bulging) disc, they will avoid exercises that would put more pressure on the discs effected.
If you ever feel that an exercise is causing you particular pain, let your instructor know and they can tell you whether you’re doing it correctly, or modify it to suit your needs.
Ready to try Pilates for chronic conditions and pain?
As with almost everything, it’s not an instant fix, but if you consistently practice Pilates, you’ll gradually notice an improvement in your pain levels.
If you’re ready to see the changes in your life, I’d love to meet you at one of our classes at our Pilates studio in Sheffield.
If you are not ready to attend a class yet but would like to get familiar with a few Pilates exercises then check out our Free private community Facebook group where we have a Guides folder (a library) full of lots of Pilates exercise videos that you can give a go.
We also share lots of advice and health and wellbeing tips as well as updates on offers, events we run at the studio.
If you have any specific questions or would like to chat with a member of our team, please feel free to get in contact another way and ask us anything about how we can help you to improve your pain through practicing Pilates for chronic conditions and pain.