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I just started to see a chiropractor and I have a slight curvature of the spine in my sacral area which hinders my ability to do good backbends. I do alot of yoga and pilates. He told me that he usually doesn't recommend pilates because it is too hard on the lower back (?) I can see that if you are not using to proper form, but to just generalize (??!!)
I want to fix my spinal issue so I can dance better and stay in the planes in general (poi, candle dancing, etc) I really want the care, but I LOVE pilates!!! The dr. told me that it is important for me to strengthen my core, in the same breath he warned me against pilates.
I haven't stopped, has anyone else heard this?
He said that when you do matwork and use your core to hold out your legs that hurts your back. I would think that only if you overdid it.
Anyone have any good ideas on a gentle exercise that would help the core with little back strain?
I want to fix my spinal issue so I can dance better and stay in the planes in general (poi, candle dancing, etc) I really want the care, but I LOVE pilates!!! The dr. told me that it is important for me to strengthen my core, in the same breath he warned me against pilates.
I haven't stopped, has anyone else heard this?
He said that when you do matwork and use your core to hold out your legs that hurts your back. I would think that only if you overdid it.
Anyone have any good ideas on a gentle exercise that would help the core with little back strain?
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Richmond
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Re: someone help me make sense of this
Sat, September 1, 2007 - 10:51 PMWow, he must have seen some really bad clients to make such harsh conclusions. But I must say I don't think he's done his research. Properly executed pilates is WONDERFUL for your spine and in fact your whole body. Doing a regular pilates practise has allowed me to do all kinds of backbend things that I wouldn't be able to do otherwise.
And MODIFICATIONS are essential to make the work safe and allow the body to progress. A teacher should always give options for an exercise (ex. hundreds with legs in table top position or legs straight or legs extended on an angle) and be monitoring the students to make sure they are correctly executing the moves and in proper form.
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Re: someone help me make sense of this
Sat, September 1, 2007 - 10:53 PMThat really makes me want to hop on a plane and give this man a proper pilates session. Pilates can be such a useful tool for rehabilitation and has been used as such for many years. -
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Re: someone help me make sense of this
Sun, September 2, 2007 - 1:45 AMI get tons of student referrals from physical therapists and chiropractors....so at least all aren't as ignorant about Pilates as this guy. I agree with Aubre- he must have been exposed to a teacher who was unsafe....or possibly had a client or two who went to an unsafe teacher. They're certainly out there. BUT there are unsafe teachers in all movement fields, and while we're at it unsafe chiropractors as well.
I'm always amazed at how many people go to physical therapy for their back then come to Pilates- only to find out that their physical therapist has had them doing mild/modified Pilates moves.
THEN AGAIN....chiropractors focus on the bones and joints. Physical therapists focus on the soft tissue. There are SOME who just DON'T support each other's work. It's also possible this is one of those chiropractors who thinks it's all about making the adjustments and nothing to do with working to have the strength to maintain the adjustments. -
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Re: someone help me make sense of this
Sun, September 2, 2007 - 9:04 AMThank you, I've worked with good teachers and am using a dvd right now, but have the basic idea of what's safe and not. I saw a woman's physical therapist for a while and she had me doing pilates moves andwanted me to get into a good class. fwiw, I am sore and have reduced mobility in my neck since my first and only adjustment from this guy...
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Re: someone help me make sense of this
Mon, September 3, 2007 - 5:24 AMThis is where we cue the Eddie Izzard "crack the bones" jokes.
Bad chiropractor.
I know too many people who have had bad experiences or who get "hooked" on going. I believe it CAN be good, I just believe it's very difficult to find a good one. I'm not letting a not so good one mess with my back or neck. -
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Re: someone help me make sense of this
Mon, September 3, 2007 - 5:55 AMI know, I know.....I just have such a crush on the massage therapist there, hee hee.
Only joking, I am afraid I'll have to stop going but I've prepaid for a number of sessions :(
I'll give him one more chance.
I did find another way to really strengthen my core...a weighted hula hoop. 4 lbs, it is amazing AND I'm never going to stop doing pilates
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Re: someone help me make sense of this
Tue, September 4, 2007 - 10:16 AMI had a student with a bad back and her doctor said if she did pilates she would need an instuctor to watch her all the time to make sure she wasn't going into her low back. You can gauge for youself. If you back feels better after class you are probly doing the right thing. I have scoliousis in my lumbar spine and pilates is the thing that helps it the most. my back bending is limited too.
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Re: someone help me make sense of this
Mon, March 30, 2009 - 3:27 PMHi Kelly,
I posted directly to your e-mail so forgive me if this is a repeat. As a holistic physical thearpist that specializes in treating clients with back pain of various sources I would kindly suggest your physicians recommendations feel a bit generalized. It is true if you are hypermobile (moving too much) say at L5/S1 you may require care to be within a smaller range of motion. Over time you will remodel and stabilize, if a technique is performed correctly. Pilates can be a great program with awarenss of how to perform the movement correctly. Perhaps he overstated his caution. Best of luck and trust your body as you heal. Kellie www.corehealingpt.com
