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Pilates

A listing is not a recommendation.

Origin: Developed in Germany and the United States · Tradition: Joseph Pilates’s movement method · Movement

What it is

Movement that emphasises control of the trunk, breathing, and precise motion. There are mat and apparatus forms. It is also often used in low-back rehabilitation.

A short introduction (not a treatment instruction)

Beginners should start with a teacher, from a neutral spine and the breath.
Do not strain by compensating with the neck or low back.
Modify an exercise if pain increases.

Symptoms or aims often mentioned with this practice

Low back pain
Posture
Muscle stiffness
Hip discomfort

Research notes (this is not a promise of effect)

B: Randomised trials or systematic reviews exist, but reports are modest, the group studied is limited, or study quality is limited

For low back pain it may improve pain and disability more than a minimal intervention, but it is not necessarily better than other exercise therapy (systematic reviews).

Sources

Safety notes

Overload of the neck, long periods on the back in pregnancy, and flexion in osteoporosis.

If you are unsure, or if you have a health condition, are pregnant, or take medicine, consult a qualified professional.

Situations in which this is better avoided

An acute, serious spinal condition
A post-surgical restriction that has been advised