Does chronic pain affect your daily life? If so, you aren’t alone. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 5 adults in the US struggle daily with nagging pain. Popping painkillers and taking cortisone shots may provide temporary relief, but Pilates is worth considering if you seek a holistic answer for reducing daily pain. Pilates is a low-impact, mind-body exercise accessible to people of all ages and conditions.

In this article, we’ll look at how Pilates helps ongoing pain and types of chronic conditions Pilates may help.

Is Pilates good for people with chronic pain?

Joseph Pilates’ first patients were aptly familiar with chronic pain. The origins of his exercise method date back to WWI when Joseph Pilates was interned with other German nationals. An athletic man with a background in gymnastics, he developed an exercise regime to stay healthy and strong during his time there. Later in the war, he was assigned to a hospital with orders to rehabilitate injured military members.

With a history rooted in rehabilitation, Pilates is likely an excellent tool to reduce chronic pain today. The outcome of Pilates in your personal pain experience will vary depending on the underlying source of pain, the quality and quantity of Pilates instruction and other variables in your health and well-being.

Chronic lower back pain is common and can stem from various factors. Some are limited mobility, weak abdominals and a sedentary lifestyle. Pilates can improve mobility and strength in these cases to help reduce lower back pain.

Acute injuries to the vertebra, however, may initially require the help of a physical therapist for pain reduction and healing. Some physical therapist incorporate Pilates into their clients’ regimes, like at ProHealth Physical Therapy and Pilates. At ProHealth, it’s common to find dedicated Pilates students who initially came for physical therapy and later graduated into Pilates.

What chronic conditions can Pilates help?

Chronic pain is often lumped into the progression of aging—an expectation rather than an exception. Have you considered that aches and pain don’t need to increase with age?

ProHealth client Stacy Martin came to ProHealth after working as a flight attendant for 40 years leaving her with various aches, pains and arthritis. Weekly private Pilates sessions helped alleviate her pain through core strengthening, increasing flexibility and improving her posture.

Longtime ProHealth client Mark Carlson began as a physical therapy patient for post-injury rehab. He later transitioned into Pilates and has stuck with it after seeing a reduction in chronic back pain. He also credits Pilates for improving his flexibility, which helps his golf game.

The beauty of Pilates lies in its versatility. With hundreds of exercises and modifications, a Pilates session is molded for each body. Like Stacy and Mark, many people experience the benefits of Pilates for various forms of chronic pain.

You don’t need to settle for living with daily pain. Physical therapists and Pilates instructors are ready to lead you into enjoying your life. To try Pilates, visit ProHealth Physical Therapy and Pilates in Peachtree City, Georgia. Classes are available online and in the studio. Book today!