Expert Article Topics

Core Concepts Physiotherapy
Treatment Divisions

Make an Appointment

Via email form or
Call us at +65 6226 3632 or
SMS at +65 9232 2661

Pilates and Physiotherapy

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a unique body conditioning exercise designed to rebalance the body, bringing it, into its correct neutral alignment whilst targeting the deep postural muscles (Transverse abdominals and muscles of the pelvic diaphragm). In essence pilates challenges the core muscles and builds strength from the inside out, helping a person to reshape their body, adding to a leaner and more toned figure. It boasts of a perfect balance between strength and flexibility, whilst relieving unwanted stress and tension. The phenomena of pilates is a popular and growing trend in western countries amongst athletes and celebrities, as well as in the treatment of peripheral and spinal musculoskeletal dysfunction. Today pilates is evolving and is taught worldwide in gyms and hospital, benefiting millions of people. The aim of this article is a brief introduction to pilates and its clinical benefits in physiotherapy.

Background

Pilates was first discovered in Germany in the early 20th century by a keen diver, gymnast and boxer by the name of Joseph Pilates. Joseph Pilates had spent the majority of his childhood fighting rickets, asthma and rheumatic fever and this fuelled his desire to become physically immune to these ailments. Through studying a variety of different disciplines (yoga, Zen) he brought about this new notion of exercise. During the war he practised his theory of exercise, and became involved in the rehabilitation of war victims. Once the war ended, Joseph Pilates relocated to New York and soon went on to open the first pilates studio attracting elite actors, dancers and athletes.

Image from Pilates Suffolk
click for larger view

Clinical Pilates vs Pilates

Clinical pilates is used to treat people with musculoskeletal injuries and is conducted by a physiotherapist certified with Clinical pilates certification. If a person experiences an injury or repetitive injuries, they may have joint stiffness, muscle spasms, poor posture or abnormal movement patterns as a cause or a result of the injury. It is therefore important to first treat the above complaints before commencing pilates.

In addition certain pilates exercises may aggravate the symptoms. An example is someone who may experience a back strain, due to too much extension in the lower back. Such individuals may have an exaggerated lordotic postures and therefore extension pilates exercises may not be advisable. This is something that would not be picked up if a person was to attend a routine pilates class, which does a combination of both flexion and extension exercises.

Not only is it important to select the right type of pilates exercise, it is also necessary to ensure that the correct and appropriate level is prescribed. Routine pilates may be too challenging for a person with back pain. This will cause the individual to compensate and utilise stronger global muscles as opposed to the core muscles, therefore negating the benefits of the pilates exercise. As a secondary result, a person may start to experience muscle spasm in the global muscles due to the increased exertion. The physiotherapist having tested your muscle strength and range of movement, will be able to ensure that the exercises are appropriate and although challenging not detrimental to recovery.

The added benefit of clinical pilates to routine pilates is not only is it more individualised to the person and their problem, it can also be more functional. If the person for example is keen to return to an activity or a sport (swimmer, footballer, dancer) the standard exercises can be modified by the physiotherapist to strengthen the core muscles whilst carrying out the aggravating movement. This could mean that the core muscles of a footballer is challenged as he kicks, dribbles a football and not just in static postures.

Peripheral injuries

When dealing with peripheral joint/ muscular injuries e.g. ankle instabilities the ankle is the main focus of the treatment. This makes sense and is always a good place to start to strengthen and rehabilitate local structures. However the research is beginning to move towards looking at the whole picture. Improving an individual dynamic control of their movements, will mean that person is less likely to sustain injuries. There is a growing trend to rehabilitate athletes whilst incorporating Pilates based exercises to teach a person to move more efficiently. Pilates can be used to treat hip, shoulder, knee and ankle injuries.

Spinal Injuries

Pilates in conjunction with manual joint mobilisations and soft tissue release is an effective way to treat back pain.
Time and time again the research has shown that any form of back pain leads to a loss of function of the deep muscles (multifidus) of the spine at that level. Unfortunately these muscles do not have the capacity to turn back on again, once the initial episode of back pain has resolved, and therefore these muscles require specific training to reactivate and stabilise the spine. In the long term these muscles without exercise will continue to waste further and subsequent muscle spasm in the global and more superficial muscles is experienced. This predominately occurs as a mean to stabilise the back in the absence of the deep muscle activity. Such individuals will report recurrent flare ups of back pain in the year due to the ongoing weakness of the spine.

In addition to weakness, back injuries usually occur after an extended period of time, in a bad posture, excessively loading the joint.

Clinical pilates is a form of exercise that both facilitates the strengthening of these deep muscles whilst educating a person where a neutral spine lies. In time a person will feel that there back is stronger, as they become more aware of what sitting or standing in a good posture entails.

In the long term they will also have the endurance to sustain these better postures for longer periods, through conducting the exercises.

If a person is new to pilates one- to one sessions with a physiotherapist or very small classes is initially strongly recommended, this is to ensure a person can be taught the correct techniques and the 5 concepts of pilates accurately (breathing, neck, rib pelvis position and stabilizing). Pilates can be a little tricky and can easily be done incorrectly and therefore close supervision is required to prevent faulty patterns learnt.

The benefits of Pilates

•    General fitness and body awareness greater strength and muscle tone
•    Improved flexibility
•    A flatter stomach
•    Improved efficiency of the respiratory, lymphatic and circulatory systems
•    Better posture and awareness
•    Less incidence of back pain
•    Increased joint mobility
•    Lower stress level

Which clients would benefit from Pilates?

•    Males and females
•    Pregnant: Pre and post natal
•    Athletes and dancers
•    Amputee and stroke rehabilitation clients
•    Elderly
•    Children 12 years-old +

Clinical pilates therefore targets the musculoskeletal injury more specifically. The physiotherapist is able to identify your posture type, establish the mechanism of injury, understand what the peron is aiming to return to and work out which exercises would be of more benefit to the individual. Clinical pilates therefore looks at treating the cause as well as selecting the appropriate repertoire of exercises to strengthen the injured areas and even be done for injury prevention.

If your suffering from recurrent episodes of back pain or peripheral injuries – Clinical Pilates may be just what you need!

We’ve Heard So Much of the ‘CORE’, What About the ‘SLINGS’?

Ever wondered how a belly-dancer is able to move and control her hips effortlessly to the rhythm? She will need to have good control of her lower spine, pelvis and its supporting muscles systems, in particular the “myofascial slings".

(more…)

Belt Up Your Unstable SIJ

An unstable Sacro-illiac Joint (SIJ) can cause pain in the lower back and pelvic region. This happens when the core muscles surrounding it are too weak to support the SIJ. A sacroiliac support belt can help to provide support and stability to the joints during the initial stages of core stability training. (more…)

Posterior Pelvic Pain (Sacroiliac Joint Pain) in Pregnant Women

Posterior pelvic pain (PPP) is pain felt at or near the sacroiliac joints of your pelvis as a result of sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

click for larger view

These are joints located at the 2 dimples of the lower back. The pain often feels deep within your lower back and can occur on one or both sides of your back. In some cases, pain radiates down to the buttock and the back of the thigh.

While pain may begin at any time during pregnancy, PPP on average begins in the 18th week of pregnancy and becomes more intense as the pregnancy progresses. The pain usually spontaneously resolves within 3 months post delivery. But in some cases it can become chronic and disabling.

What are the Sacroiliac joints?

The sacroiliac joints (SIJ) are formed between the sacrum, a triangular-shaped bone in the lower portion of the spine, and the right and left ilium of the pelvis. The SIJ is a strong and stable weight-bearing joint that permits very little movement due to its natural structure. The main role of the SIJ is to allow forces to be transmitted effectively through the body, absorbing impact from the legs to the spine during activities such as walking, running and jumping.

The SIJ is kept stable through two mechanisms:

Firstly, the rough, groove-like connecting surfaces of the sacrum and ilium interlock and help stabilise the joint, like two pieces of Lego together.
Secondly, the SIJ is further strengthened by a complex mesh of ligaments and muscles such as the core stabilizers. These core muscles, such as the transversus abdominis and multifidus which surround the SIJ, act as active stabilizers by actively contracting to create a compressive force over the SIJ, gripping the joint firmly together. They act as a natural corset by providing that compression around the lower back and pelvic region -much like wrapping your fingers around the two Lego pieces, keeping them firm and tight.

Posterior pelvic pain arises from sacroiliac joint dysfunction, in other words, when the stability of SIJ is compromised.

Why does it happen?

During pregnancy, mechanisms stabilising the SIJ is affected. This instability allows for increased motion, stressing the SIJ.

Hormones released during pregnancy relax the ligaments of the body to allow the pelvis to enlarge, in preparation for childbirth
Due to the growing uterus, some of the core muscles around the pelvis get ‘stretched’ and weakened.

Moreover, the additional weight and altered walking pattern associated with pregnancy can cause significant mechanical strain on the sacroiliac joints, which may result in SIJ inflammation, giving a deep ache in the posterior pelvis.

What are the symptoms?

Of all the back pains experienced during pregnancy, posterior pelvic pain is the most common – you are four times more likely to experience PPP than lumbar pain.

You may have posterior pelvic pain / sacroiliac joint dysfunction if you have:

Deep, boring pain in the back of the pelvis (around the sacroiliac joints)
Pain may occasionally radiate to the groin and thighs.
The pain is typically worse with standing, walking, climbing stairs, resting on one leg, getting in and out of a low chair, rolling over and twisting in bed, and lifting. The pain improved when lying down.
If there is inflammation and arthritis in the SI joint, you may experience stiffness and a burning sensation in the pelvis.

Diagnosing Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction in pregnancy

Your doctor and/or physiotherapist will conduct a thorough history and physical examination to determine the underlying disorders for your pain. That includes your description of symptoms, a series of tests designed to look at the stability, movement, and pain in the sacroiliac joints and surrounding structures. Imaging, such as computed tomography (CT) scan and X-ray may also help in the diagnosis. Another reliable diagnostic method involves injecting an anesthetic agent into the SI joint, guided by an X-ray machine, numbing the irritated area, thereby identifying the pain source. However, due to the concerns of fetal exposure to radiation, diagnostic procedures involving radiation is generally avoided.

Treatment and Management

The first-line treatment of pregnancy-related sacroiliac joint dysfunction is physiotherapy and exercises that focuses on core stability of the trunk and pelvic girdle. Sometimes, a sacro-iliac belt is prescribed to complement the core stability exercises and to give quick pain relief. Exercises will form a large part of the treatment and in some cases, mobilisation (a gentler form of manipulation) of your hip, back or pelvis may be used to correct any underlying movement dysfunction. Other manual techniques include muscle energy technique (MET) and myofascial release. It is vital to engage a physiotherapist who is skilled in treating pregnancy-related pain as she is aware of the studies that support the use of specific stabilizing exercises and other treatment techniques, thereby preventing the dysfunction from escalating into a chronic condition.
Other alternative treatments include anesthetic and steroidal injections into the SIJ that can help in pain relief, which lasts from one day or much more long-term. Oral anti-inflammatory medications are often effective in pain relief as well. However, these two treatments may be contra-indicated during pregnancy.

Posterior Pelvic Pain Home Advice

Here are some tips for expectant women with posterior pelvic pain..

Lying down

Avoid lying on your back for long periods of time, particularly after the 19th week of your pregnancy.
Try lying on your side (preferably your left) with a pillow placed between your knees and another under your tummy.
If your waist sags down into the bed, try placing a small rolled up towel under your waist.

Turning over in bed

To turn to your right while lying on your back, arch your lower back, tighten your pelvic floor muscles and lower abdominal muscles and bend both knees one by one.
Turn your head to the right and take your left arm over to the right of your body. Hold onto the side of your bed if you can.
To turn, pull with your left hand and take both knees over to the right so that you roll to the right. As soon as possible, bend your knees up as high as they will go – this helps to lock out your pelvis and lessen pain.
Reverse this to turn to the left.

Getting out of bed

Roll onto your side with your knees bent up, move your feet over the edge of the bed and push yourself up sideways with your arms.
Reverse the process when you lie down.

Standing from a sitting position.

Sit on the edge of the chair.
Keeping your knees apart slightly and lean forwards till your head is directly over your knees, keeping your back straight.
Stand up by pushing up with your arms, with your back straight and tummy tucked in. This helps to hold your pelvic joints in their most stable position and may reduce your pain significantly.

Reference:

The unstable SIJ

The sacro-iliac joint (SIJ) is a very stable structure connecting the spine to the pelvis. The stability is achieved by a system of active (force closure) and passive (form closure) stabilisers. Its main role is to helps absorb vertical forces through the body. An unstable SIJ can compromise the effectiveness of transmitting forces, causing symptoms like low back pain or sometimes radiating pain down the legs. Core stability exercises and a sacro-iliac belt can help with an unstable SIJ. (more…)

Supplement Calcium Pills with Some Sun

People, especially the elderly, may reach for calcium supplements in hopes of protecting themselves against bone fractures in case of a fall. But a recent analysis of several studies found no reduction in risk of hip fracture with calcium supplementation. (more…)

Pregnancy – Changes and Aches

If you are pregnant and feel your back or pelvic pains more often than usual, you are not alone. Studies have shown that more than two-thirds of pregnant women experience back pain and almost one-fifth experience pelvic pain^2,.3. As pregnancy progresses, the intensity of pain may increase and interfere with your work, daily activities and sleep.

(more…)