Using Pilates for Chronic Pain Relief versus Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Treatment

Most people with pain initially would try to ignore it. If it starts to get bad, they would then seek medical help. A number of methods and techniques are available that provide treatment to several types of pain that people commonly have. People may opt to try a physiotherapist, who is a recognized healthcare practitioner with established treatment methods for injuries and pain. Another is either an osteopath or chiropractor, all health care professional offering non-surgical treatments that focus on spinal alignment or joint manipulation and sometimes combining some form of release to reduce pain.But over the past years, pilates exercises has gained a huge following as a form of low impact controlled form of discipline that yields great results. It is safe for everyone, even for people with various spinal, hip, knee, neck and shoulder problems. Pilates is a series of deep stretching and strengthening movements, combined with core engagement and focus on certain important muscles that are vital for the overall function of all body parts. It has proven to provide instant relief for pain. In fact, the results achieved are so successful that some had gone on to use it as a lifestyle form of exercise regime.Brief Introduction of PilatesPilates is a form of exercise movement created by Joseph Pilates back in the 1920's. As a child, he had always been sick. The main focus was to improve core muscles strength and developed flexibility. During the war, he was a nurse in charge of taking care of injured soldiers. He decided to use Pilates for the rehabilitation of war veterans who were hurt during the war.Pilates Stretching and StrengtheningPilates can be performed quickly and easily by almost anyone regardless of the age and fitness level because Pilates is of low impact and controlled movements. Developing core strength from deep muscles is what essentially Pilates are about. Strength in the body's core muscles creates the ability to provide good posture and alignment. Overall, it helps to develop a strong, flexible, and coordinated body for proper stability and support of the spine.Pilates is the exercise of choice for many athletes, gymnasts, dancers, and even some famous Hollywood actors and actresses. It has currently found its way in mainstream physical fitness training. Its popularity stems from its many unique benefits not otherwise achievable through traditional forms of aerobics and body strengthening exercises, mainly because it does not produce bulk with strength.Differentiating Pilates From Chiropractic TreatmentPilates is a gradual, low impact exercise geared toward correcting imbalances in the body, increasing the joints' range of motion and strengthening the core muscles. It is designed for neutral alignment of the posture through core muscle strengthening. It is an active form of using the body to perform selected exercises through body mind connection to tune the body into shape.Chiropractic treatment, meanwhile, is also designed to restore normal alignment of the spine in order to minimize the discomfort and pain suffered in certain areas of stress in the body. Usually, what a chiropractor does is to take the patient's medical history, perform a physical exam, and, if necessary, require laboratory tests or diagnostic images in order to find out what treatment approach is appropriate for the patient's pain particularly in the back area.Treatment may consist of manual adjustments in the joints, using well-controlled, swift force to make the necessary improvements in the quality and range of motion. Chiropractors also provide counseling for proper nutrition and various exercises, which could even include pilates pain relief exercises, into their treatment plan. The objective of the treatment plan is to restore normal function and injury prevention on top of the back pain relief.However, unless you take a personal responsibility into embarking on an active exercise program, it is very hard to expect the body to heal itself and become stronger and eventually pain free.Differentiating Pilates From Physiotherapy TreatmentPhysiotherapy focuses its treatment on releasing area of stress and tension, which is in pain with manual manipulation, massage or ultra sound heat treatment. Another objective is to increase and improve the range of motion of the affected area. He or she may provide coaching on specific exercises you can perform at home or at work.In conclusion, Pilates is about consistency and awareness. You need to be aware of your body's alignment in order to maintain a good posture. Once the awareness is in place, eventually the pain in the body will subside over time and heal. Do yourself a favour by practicing pilates pain relief exercises regularly!