Joseph Pilates actually created Pilates as a way to rehabilitate injured soldiers from war. Because of this and this alone, Pilates is one of the MOST effective ways of rehabilitating injuries and several other physical problems.
Pilates have been around since the early 20th century and it’s still as popular as ever. This is testimony as to how effective this form of exercise is. It has been used for years to improve one’s agility, flexibility, balance, strength and fitness.
The number one reason people suffer injury is due to imbalances within the body. If your chest muscles are strong but your back muscles are weak, your shoulders will be pulled forward. This is why you often seen many people who try to build their bodies end up looking hunched.
If your back muscles are weak, your posture will also be poor and this will lead to back pain and neck pain. If your core muscles are weak, every other movement in your body becomes difficult.
Whenever someone suffers any injury that puts them in the hospital or places them in a situation where they can’t move about much, the muscles get even weaker and any existing problem is exacerbated. This worsens the condition they’re in and makes them even weaker.
At times like these, by using Pilates, you will be able to strengthen all the muscles involved in the different exercises. This will reduce any imbalances. You’ll be less prone to strains, muscle tears or pulls and sprains.
Pilates focuses on the ‘powerhouse’ of the body which is the midsection. By strengthening this area, your abdominal muscles, pelvic muscles, pelvic alignment, spinal alignment, etc. will all get stronger and be in optimal condition. Any injury that’s holding you back will start to feel better because your body is getting stronger.
Unlike normal exercise which are not recommended because they’re either too high impact or dangerous, Pilates is slow and controlled. It was made for rehabilitation and there is a lot of room for flexibility when it comes to tailoring the workout for the patient.
If you’re weak or in pain, you could just stick to the basic moves. By doing these repeatedly, you will develop strength in the muscles and will be able to move on to the more advanced moves. This is a form of physical therapy. By getting stronger, you’ll gain confidence and be able to move with more ease.
The beauty about Pilates is that it is very different from conventional rehabilitation where the therapist does most of the work such as massaging the joint or assisting with the movements.
In Pilates, you are required to put in effort too. The ball is in your court. So, the patient will have to have will power and determination to execute the moves with good form. As challenging as the moves are, the patient has the opportunity to exceed their personal best daily.
This is highly motivational and is great for the mind game too. Many injured people often feel inferior or tend to lose hope because of their physical impairments. Pilates gives them the power and control to do better and this is immensely powerful for restoring hope and mental strength.
It’s important to do your Pilates sessions under the watchful eye of a qualified instructor. They’ll be able to guide you on the right positions and proper execution of the exercises. Do Pilates often and your road to recovery will be much smoother.
