Pilates too hard for me

[rob wilson]

I thought I would give Pilates a try to strengthen my body from so many ortho issues including but not limited to 2 Lumbar ADR, SI joint, cervical issues, knee, shoulder, etc. We tried to go easy but ..... Well it did strengthen me but I ended exacerbating many of my issues. Especially my neck (pain down arm C5/6) and knee (2 microfractures and scar tissue cleanouts). I had to quit. Sometimes you have to know your limitations and be content with what we can you.

[Hooch]

If you're deconditioned and carrying multiple chronic injuries pilates is a high level exercise program that has to be built to. Your pilates instructors will not be aware of this.

You'll have to knock it back to core activation exercise, endurance, and slowly build out from there. A well educated physio will help with this, the trick is finding one as it is a real clinical skill to rehab people with chronic injury, and a lot of them do not have the awareness.

You're right about the body tho, at some point it will just say enough as the load is to great, and pushing through the pain barrier is counter productive (and not fun). But you may well be able to build beyond your current level with a (slowly) graduated program, and paying plenty of attention to your body.

[Carson]

Sorry it didn't work out, Rob. I agree; it's key to know that exercise is very relative to our specific conditions. I'm always afraid for some patients who view it as exercise = pain relief and dive into program unaware they're doing more damage than good.

I've been wearing out my total gym (lame late night Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley TV advertised). It's been an excellent low impact, glide workout with 90% of my total gym exercises originating at the shoulder while my spine is unweighted and stationary (non bending). When I do leg lifts, spine remains static as well. Stuart McGill's (PT and professor of spine biomechanicse) book helped my awareness in keeping my spine aligned and mostly unweighted while working arms, chest, abs and legs. As you know, swimming and stationary bike work well too so long as we find something to get some cardio in.

[Justin]

Rob,

Pilates is difficult, as you know. However, there are some easier exercises / maneuvers that you could try. My wife has some Pilates DVDs that show alternative exercises for those with bad backs. I'll look for them tonight and pass the name of the DVDs your way.

[Gilbert P]

Hi Rob

I did pilates for years and it helped, But as a spine patient many of the moves were very bad for my spine Flexion and extension may of caused me to degenerate much faster.
Pilates is for the young healthy spine

Lets talk soon

Gil