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Is Pilates bad for your back?

(Daily Mail)
Updated: 2007-03-06 14:40

For anyone with back pain, the consequences can be dire and "they wonder why they are putting in so much effort at Pilates but feeling worse", says Small.

Even among those who do perform the core contraction correctly, the benefits are doubtful. Professor Shirley Sahrmann, a physical therapist at the Washington University School of Medicine found that, no matter how many times the movement is repeated, it does not become second nature and therefore will not provide constant back support.

And because back pain has so many different causes, attempting to strengthen the core muscles might be entirely the wrong remedy for some.

As Small explains: "If your back problems are caused by stiff hips — a common cause — then doing Pilates will not help to improve it."

It is not just Pilates that is coming under fire from experts. Yoga, another exercise often touted as back-friendly, can also be harmful.

Matt Todman, consultant physiotherapist at the Sports & Spinal Clinic, Harley Street, says that the ancient exercise form "is generally not good for back pain and a lot of its postures can compound the problem by loading pressure on the back".

Last year, an American study found that while a gentle yoga class seemed a better alternative to general exercise or following a self-help book for back pain, some more vigorous types of yoga and classes led by poorly qualified instructors potentially made back problems worse.

But experts do concede that for some people in some instances, Pilates can be helpful in back pain relief.

"But it is never going to be enough on its own," says Troup. "A strong back means a combination of strong muscles in the buttocks, spinal area and shoulders not just a well-developed core area."

If you are suffering from back pain it is important to consult your doctor.

What to do if you're in pain

Keep moving. While people with back pain need to be careful about the type and amount of exercise they do, experts agree that some activity is better than none.

For many years the advice for back pain was bed rest, but in 1996 the Royal College of General Practitioners changed its guidelines and patients are now meant to be encouraged to keep active — using pain relief if necessary.

However, the new guidelines remain unheeded by many in the medical profession.

"A lot of people are still told to lie down until they feel a bit better, despite the fact that movement or active management is known to be far more effective," says Nia Taylor of the charity BackCare.

A major study on non-surgical treatments for back pain found that patients obtain as much benefit from an intense programme of exercise therapy as from spinal surgery.

Those who followed a tailored two-hour daily exercise regime which included activities such as step-ups, walking on a treadmill, and cycling, made huge progress over just three weeks.

However, specific back exercises might be bad news. American researchers have found that back exercises (twists and stretches) generally increased the risk of pain and suffering over time.

If you have back pain and want to start an exercise regime, first consult a physiotherapist.