Most people who suffered from chronic pain such as back pain and neck pain seek Pilates as a means to pain relief. This article discusses what is involved before introducing pilates routines into rehabilitation program for chronic pain relief.
Due to our busy lifestyle and most jobs being desk bound, there has been
increasing number of people suffering from chronic neck pain, back pain and
shoulder pain. These people usually have acquired bad postures in their daily
activities without them knowing it. They have read about the wonderful effects
of pilates in pain relief and many wanted to use pilates to relieve their
chronic pain. However, what they did not realise was that, if you are suffering
from chronic pain, the first few sessions of pilates rehabilitation had nothing
to do with Pilates as yet!
Usually for clients who are suffering from chronic pain, there will be lumps of
scar tissues in the pain areas. Fascia and trigger point release will be
employed in the first few sessions to release these scar tissues. It is a
technique that coupled with certain specific Pilates routines can bring instant
relief to the spot and restore mobility to the joints. Clients with chronic pain
usually have very tight knots in the neck which stretching alone cannot do the
job. Even though stretching is very beneficial and cannot be neglected, it does
not work in the case of stubborn muscle knots. When stretching a muscle with
knots, you are only stretching the healthy muscle tissue. The knot remains a
knot, laughing in the face of the stretch.
The best way to attack a tight muscle knot is direct pressure. When the taut
knots and painful spots are successfully released, the spot will be sore for a
day at most but instant relief can be felt in some area like tingling sensations
down the arm to fingers as circulation is restored when the tight knots are
loosen. Other times, there is instant release up the side of the neck all the
way up the scalp of the hair. Fascia and trigger point release is akin to
lubricating a rusty machine before movement (Pilates) is introduced. And because
most injury started due to improper form, the right body mechanics specific to
the joint and muscles must be introduced and properly taught.
Take a quick look around the people at the subways, hurrying to work and sitting
in the office. You will realize most if not all, have rounded shoulders, are
much hunched over, chin is lifted, neck tilted backwards and shoulders tensed.
This is the perfect recipe that spells disaster - that of chronic neck and
shoulder pain!
If Pilates is introduced immediately into a rehabilitation program without proper
investigation into the true state of the pain or injury, not only will it hinder
recovery, it will also mean adding fuel to flame and may lead to inflammation
and more pain. Every case is different and a thorough review with an experienced
pilates instructor with the right expertise will guarantee results! Be sure to
find out how the rehabilitation process is carried out in the training if you
are looking for pilates rehabilitation programs.
In the next sequel of the article, we will follow up with how pilates is
incorporated in the training for people who are suffering from chronic pain.
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