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Relieve Pains of Myofascial Pain Syndrome with Pilates and Stretching

The fascia is a thick elastic connective tissue in and around the muscles, bones, blood vessels and nerves of your body. The fascia spreads throughout the body like web which travels head-to-toe uninterrupted and acts as a shock absorber in the body. In healthy condition, the fascia is relaxed and wavy in configuration with the ability to stretch and move without any problems.

Physical trauma, scarring, stress, repetitive micro trauma, poor posture, inflammation or disease such as arthritis cause the fascia to lose its ability and this causes restriction and tension to the rest of the body. This Myofascial restriction or tension is the underlying cause of most chronic pain problems that have not responded to traditional medical or surgical intervention.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) is essentially defined as a painful musculoskeletal condition, characterized by the development of Myofascial trigger points (TrPs). These points are locally tender when active and refer pain through specific patterns to other areas of the body.

The Myofascial tissue appears to tighten and thicken in those with Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). So often fibromyalgia sufferers might have also Myoafascial Pain syndrome (MPS). FMS and MPS are very different symptoms and makes life very complicated with pain.

Exercise is considered to be one of the most significant treatment methods for relief from the symptoms of Myofascial Pain Syndrome as well as Fibromyalgia. Research indicates that apart from medications and minimally invasive techniques, a set of planned exercises and a regular exercise regimen can be of great help for relief from the symptoms of Myofascial Pain Syndrome.

As a Physical Therapist, I recommend Pilates and specific stretching program for people with MPS and FMS. However, both exercises have to be tailored just for you needs. Pilates helps improve your joint range of motion and increase muscle strength, endurance and stretch. Unfortunately, Pilates is not enough to stretching tight myofascia and releasing muscle tension. Specific stretching program with a foam roll and ball is a good myofascial trigger point release as well as muscle tension release. So, professional Pilates with a specific stretching program complete each other by relieving your pain and will improve your quality of life.

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Your Everyday Activities are Contributing to Your Back Pain Pilates Can Help

Hunching, bending, and slouching are just a couple of the bad habits that we have all acquired over the years. They usually begin during childhood and follow us into adulthood, where the problems tend to arise. Unfortunately, many of us are unconscious of these bad habits, which makes most of us likely candidates for back pain. You do not have to have an existing health condition to have chronic back pain. You do not even have to be older in age. Back pain can strike at anytime, and at any age. 

People who work behind a desk for a living may not realize it, but they are doing a lot of damage to their backs by slouching. As stated above, people tend to do this unconsciously. Over time, an accumulation of stress and strain is applied, and the damage is done. Other instances in which everyday activities harm the back are when we stand. Slouching when standing without holding the shoulders down and back in a relaxed fashion can put a lot of stress on the back and neck. Another activity in which damage to the back is possible is when we sleep. A bad mattress can damage the spine’s natural alignment, which can result in back pain. You might also feel the pain in your neck and shoulders when sleeping on a bad mattress.

When the back has been damaged, we may not feel it in the beginning, so we continue to practice the same activities as we always have, without correction. Pilates and stretching exercises were meant to correct the spine’s alignment. This type of exercise consists of a series of small, effective, and powerful movements that will strengthen those muscles that have come undone during the ebb and flow of everyday activities. You will be able to tighten and tone the buttocks, abdominal muscles, and back muscles, increasing your body’s overall strength.

At some time in the majority of all people’s lives, they will experience some type of back discomfort. It is inevitable. We get used to slouching and poor postural habits, and they catch up with us. In the most serious cases, disks become herniated and sometimes, arthritis can develop. The alignment becomes crooked, and all functions of the body are put off. Talk about pain! Stiffness, numbing, tingling, and burning are just a few of the very real sensations that people live with who suffer from back pain. Frequent doctor’s visits are an all too common reality for a lot of folks as well. Getting rushed to the emergency room also is something that is very common in the horrible world of back pain. 

Pilates and stretching techniques can help to correct even the worst of back problems. Once the strength and alignment is restored, everything else follows. Ultimately, you will become more conscious and aware of your posture, and more in the know on how to relieve an onset of back pain. Thanks to Pilates, there will be no more medications, doctor’s visits, or pesky bouts of pain. Just a stress-free back in healthy, natural alignment.

There are a range of DVD’s on sale at http:// www.pilatesorstretchforbackpain.com which have been recommended by a leading British Osteopath/Physiotherapist. Please visit my blog at http://stretchorpilatesforbackpain.com/wordpress/?feed=rss2

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Poor Posture Leads Lower Back Pain, But Pilates Helps

The most common causes of poor posture are poor postural habits, poor ergonomics, joint stiffness, muscle imbalance/weakness, excessive weight in certain areas of the body, and prior injury. Poor posture may increase pain, discomfort, stiffness, reduced motion, and improper biomechanics.

Poor posture is a major factor in back problems. It strains muscles, puts too much stress on the spine, and over time can change the anatomical structure of the spine leading to degeneration to the bone, joint and discs; spinal nerves may also be affected. All these factors have the potential to contribute a lower back pain, which is why establishing correct posture is so important.

Many researches have shown that people can alleviate their lower back pain by taking effort to improve their posture. The foundation for good back care starts with posture.

Muscles support the spine. A weakness in any of the muscles that support the spine makes it difficult to maintain a proper posture. Strong muscles help keep the spine in proper alignment and prevent back pain. An appropriate posture lends stability and strength to the spine. You can improve all these aspects with Pilates.

Why Pilates?

Pilates can

improve your overall muscle strength, stability, flexibility and joint mobility.  improve your movement patterns as more ergonomic, increase muscle control and overall biomechanics on your spine. increase body awareness of neutral spine and proper posture alignment strengthen the deep muscles of the back and abdomen which support your spine and proper posture alignment 

Twice a week Pilates is a good frequency but not enough to improve your posture, if you keep slumping behind your desk. The truth is that your daily body posture habits directly relate to your overall health and ability to move your body without pain or risk of injury. Pilates teaches you to move and use your body equally and efficiently without any extra stress to your muscles, joints and tendons. You learn body awareness which is very important in helping you change your poor postural habits to good ones in your daily life. Improving you posture and postural habits helps you also manage your back pain better and in the future living without back pain. Proper Posture equals Healthy Back.