Bad Back? How Pilates can help bad posture, sore backs and stiff spines
Did you know on average we spend 9 hours a day sitting down?
Whether you’re at your desk, commuting or scrolling on your phone, modern life means we spend most of our days sitting down, with our head bent forward… and it’s becoming a total pain in the neck, back and hips!
This position puts a huge pressure on our spine, causing the ligaments and muscles that support our vertebrae to stretch and strain. While this means most of us are likely to suffer with neck and back pains at some point, overtime it can also lead to long-term damage or chronic pain.
“A man is as young as his spinal column. If your spine is stiff at 30, you are old. If it’s flexible at 60, you are young.”
Joseph Pilates
At the moment, it’s thought that 1 in 6 people in the U.K will suffer from back pain in their lives, but as we become more dependent on technology and with more and more of us working from home (or remotely), the numbers are rising.
Not only can bad posture lead to neck or back pain, but it can negatively impact your exercise performance resulting in muscle strains and muscular imbalances, which can put you at a greater risk of injury. It also affects your breathing, compressing your chest area so your diaphragm can’t open up fully.
The good news is that Pilates can help.
No matter your age, your fitness level or your gender, Pilates improves your posture, builds strength in your deep intrinsic muscles that support your spine, corrects muscular imbalances and keeps your spine healthy, by working it in all planes of movements.
“I’ve been a member since the start of lockdown, Pilates has changed my life after chronic back pain.”
LIVE BRAVE Pilates Member
Those who practise it regularly can expect a strong core, glutes, and back extensors (the muscles that keep us from slouching), all of which help you maintain perfect posture and a happy back. Plus if you’re tight in the hips from sitting down too much, Pilates helps with this too!
Here are some of our top LIVE BRAVE Pilates workouts to help with poor posture, back pain and stiffness.
8 Min Mobility At Your Desk (No Equipment)
This series is perfect to do when you’ve been sitting at your desk too long. It’ll release any tension from your chest and shoulders, as well as helping to relieve any niggles from your neck and upper back - you only need a wall!
12 Min Happy & Healthy Neck and Back
This quick Pilates class works with the upper spine and neck to help release, create space, and alleviate any soreness.
14 Min Mobility for Stiff, Sore and Sensitive Spines
Perfect Pilates routine to integrate into your morning routine for those who have stiff backs.
20 Min Gentle Flow for Better Posture (No Equipment)
A lovely, gentle session to release any tightness in your hips and spine and help you to move more freely and easily.
If you suffer with a sore or stiff back or have bad posture, check out our Posture Perfect programme and experience the benefits of a daily Pilates practice for yourself.
