Part 2 of the article discusses the steps in incorporating pilates in the pain relief program. It speaks of muscles reprogramming through pilates so that the body learns the proper form and alignment to relieve the tension in the muscles.
In part 1 of the article,
we have discussed how myofascial release techniques
are deployed to release the tensions in the muscles before incorporating Pilates
in the training regime for pain relief. In part 2 of this article, we would
focus mainly on muscles reprogramming using Pilates.
When tension in a certain muscle group is allowed to build up over the years,
usually through poor form due to bad posture or injury, the space in the joint
gets closed up and the ligaments, tendons and fascia gets glued together. Over
time, the wrong muscle memory is established in the mind that this is the right
form when in reality it is not. It is no surprise that new clients who went on
the pilates reformer usually has some form of misalignment in the hips or knees.
Clients tend to put their weight on one side, thus causing tension on the
heavier side. They thought it was the "norm" when they appeared lopsided on
the machine!
After myofascial techniques are deployed on the tight knots and stiff joints,
prescribed Pilates with special emphasis on "Specific Muscle Programming" are
next taught to clients. This helps to re-educate your bodies to apply the right
body mechanics. This pattern is taught and repeated till the body understands
the logic and absorb it mindfully. This process is a tedious one as it involves
adopting new habits and kicking the old ones. Homework is given to clients to
practise daily until it becomes a "new habit".
Result is achieved when the body can replicate the right movements correctly
without fail! This is when there is a positive change in muscle memory. This
concept never fails to deliver consistent results but unfortunately it is often
overlooked in "Rehabilitative Pilates". Our approach has an almost 100% success
rate, so successful it is that some clients once recovered and training completed
see no need to continue their program.
Once you reach this stage, you are then ready for the Pilates regime proper
which we called "The Maintenance Program". Depending on your given state of
fitness and health, this program builds up slowly through levels and there is no
end to the way and manner you can gain results. You can request to have
customised programs tailored to your needs and trained under semi-supervision in
the studio or come back every 1 to 3 months to have your progress monitored to
prevent a relapse. There are some clients who have stayed on for as long as 10
years and still going strong!
True gain and results can only be achieved if you are consistent, committed and
have a sense of discipline and passion to take your fitness and health to a new
level. So if you think just doing some general Pilates program is the way to go
to nurse yourself back to health, think again! Because a general program is a
general program! It would not take into consideration the complex chronic issues
that have to be handled properly. Simply put, pilates pain relief programs need
to be specific to see results!
