Pilates: The Forgotten Rehabilitative Tool

Looking for gentle, effective exercise that will improve joint function and range of motion while making you longer and leaner at the same time?  Then you may just find what you are looking for in a Pilates Studio.

Both the Pilates equipment and philosophy were invented by German-born gymnast Joseph Pilates to aid in the rehabilitation of World War I veterans who were not healing from their injuries using conventional means. 

After the war, Mr. Pilates moved his practice to Manhattan where he opened a studio near the proximity of the New York Ballet.  From there the exercise swiftly gained favor with the elite in the dance, operatic, and acting worlds and by 1950 had become a sensation with Hollywood elites like Marilyn Monroe.

In recent years, Pilates has enjoyed a “comeback” among the rehabilitative crowd, with physical therapy/Pilates and Chiropractic/Pilates franchises springing up in some parts of the country.  Film star Kathleen Turner is an avid Pilates enthusiast, claiming that Pilates has kept her out of a wheelchair and helped her fight the debilitating Rhuematoid Arthritis she has suffered with for years.

In addition, Pilates has become popular with men and women of all ages and athletic ability who are looking to improve core strength, functionality and fitness.

The mind, body, spirit connection is greatly important.”  Says Lucille Noggle, classical Pilates instructor in Prescott.  “A fitness program needs to focus on the whole person.  The exercise that helps you achieve correct alignment and posture will also affect how you feel about yourself and how you interface with life.”

Lucille recommends that a novice begins with 8-10 private Pilates sessions in the studio.  In a private session new clients will learn the best exercises and the correct modifications for their bodies to accomodate any existing injury or condition they may have.  In a private session clients have trained eyes watching how they move, detecting any dysfunctional movement and helping inspire them.  Once a person has a little background in Pilates, mat classes and duet equipment classes are very popular and affordable options.  Many elect to do a combination of private equipment and group mat sessions each week to keep the costs down.  

The health benefits specific to Pilates are numerous.  Pilates can: 

• rid patients of back pain
• eliminate incontinence
• improve flexibility
• enhance post surgical recovery in joint replacement patients
• reduce stress
• Reduce the chance of injury for individuals whose balance may be compromised by age or disease.

Pilates does have its own insurance code and some insurance plans will cover it if you obtain an exercise prescription from your doctor or Chiropractor.  Look for a Chiropractor who understands its benefits and discuss it with him or her to determine if Pilates is right for you.

About the Author:
 

Chiropractic Physician, Dr. Jennifer M. Sweet, sees chiropractic and nutrition patients as well and directs special programs for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain Syndromes, and cancer THRIVERSHIP at Wellbridge Health Center in Prescott, AZ.

More Information:
Pilates and Chiropractic Care
Chronic Pain Programs in Prescott 
More Helpful Articles

Pilates: A Seldom Used Tool for Rehabilitation

Pilates is a unique system of exercise with its own specialized equipment.

Looking for a gentle, effective exercise that will improve joint function and range of motion while making you longer and leaner at the same time?  Then you may just find what you are looking for in a Pilates studio.

The History of Pilates

Both the Pilates equipment and philosophy were invented by German-born gymnast Joseph Pilates to aid in the rehabilitation of World War I veterens who were not healing from their injuries using conventional means.  

After the war, Mr. Pilates moved his practice from Germany to New York City where he opened a studio in close proximity to the New York City Ballet.  From there the exercise swiftly gained favor with the elite of the dance, operatic, and acting crowd and, by 1950, had become a sensation with Hollywood elites like Marilyn Monroe.

Pilates as a powerful rehabilitative tool

Actress and Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferer
Kathleen Turner insists that Pilates "Saved her life". 

In recent years, Pilates has enjoyed a "comeback" among the rehabilitative crowd, with physical therapy/Pilates franchises springing up in some parts of the country.  Film star Kathleen Turner is an avid Pilates enthusiast, claiming that Pilates twice a week has helped her reduce the debilitating symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis that have threatened to cripple her since 1992.

"Pilates, baby!  Twice a week.  Says Ms. Turner. "Pilates saved my life." 

In addition, Pilates has become popular with men and women of all ages and athletic ability who are looking to improve core strength, functionality and fitness.  "The mind, body, spirit connection is greatly important" Says Lucille Noggle, classical Pilates instructor at Wellbridge Health Center in Prescott, AZ.  "A fitness program needs to focus on the whole person.  The exercise that helps you achieve correct alignment and posture will also affect how you feel about yourself and how you interface with life". 

Lucille recommends that a novice begins with 8-10 private Pilates sessions in the studio.  In a private session new clients will learn the best exercises and the correct modifications for their body and any existing dysfunction or injury that they may have.  In a private session they have trained eyes watching how they move, detecting any dysfunctional movement and helping inspire them.  Once individuals have a little background in Pilates, group mat classes or duet equipment classes are popular and affordable options for many.

Pilates and your health: 

Pilates can: 

• reduce stress
• speed post surgical healing
• rid individuals of back pain
• alleviate symptoms of incontinence
• improve flexibility and functionality
• preserve health and integrity of your joints
• enhance recovery in joint replacement patients
• reduce the chance for injury for individuals whose balance may be compromised by age or disease. 

The concept and goals of Pilates pair very well with Chiropractic care.  Pilates does have its own insurance code and some insurance plans will cover it if you obtain an exercise prescription from your medical or Chiropractic physician.  When choosing a Chiropractor, look for one who understands the exercise and values it for its unique therapeutic benefits. 

Find a Chiropractor

Find a Pilates Instructor

Wellness Coach in Prescott

About the Author:

Juli Dalton is the owner and Patient Care Coordinator of
Wellbridge Health Center, LLC in Prescott, Arizona.

FIBROMYALGIA: THERE ARE ANSWERS!

Dr. Daniel M. Clauw, MD of the University of Michigan Department of Anestheiology
has referred to Fibromyalgia as "the most expensive disorder facing the medical profession".

The Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

If you are reading this blog, chances are you either have Fibromylagia or you know someone who does.  Any of these problems sound familiar?

•       Widespread pain and stiffness 

•       “Pins and needles” in extremities

•       Restless Legs

•       Digestive troubles

•       Poor sleep

•       Poor memory 

•       Anxiety/depression

•       Severe fatigue

FMS Pain Pathways and Opioid Therapies

If you or someone you love is suffering from Fibromyalgia, then take heart.  Science is breaking ground in its understanding of FMS pain, what is effective, and what isn't.  In 2011, a landmark collaborative study  concluded that an imbalance of certain neurotransmitters in the brain and spinal cord of FMS patients is responsible for their pain.  Related work in this field is now confirming that these imbalances (also responsible for mood regulation and digestion) are linked to Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Depression, which explains why these issues are often a part of the FMS experience.  Prolonged prescription of opioids is a common treatment for FMS pain.  New research, however, is showing that this class of drugs is ineffective against FMS pain and actually worsens pain and seriously reduces functionality for most FMS sufferers who use them for long periods of time. 

Natural, effective solutions for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain are at your fingertips.

So what is to be done?  Exciting research now suggests that aromatic plant essences have direct access to and influence on brain structures that are responsible for this type of pain.  One exciting new approach couples use of these essences with targeted nutrition, specific soft tissue therapies, and therapeutic movement and has found early success in treating these central pain syndromes.  Finding a doctor who couples these holistic therapies in the right sequence and the right amounts can be the first step for many who are seeking natural relief from the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. 

Real People Are Experiencing Real Results.

“I find that these natural therapies have a very healing effect on my body.” Says Susan, a bright, active middle aged woman whose life had ground to a halt because of chronic pain.  “Now I feel like I am reversing my chronic pain and I am starting to heal from the inside out.”

About the Author:

Dr. Jennifer M. Sweet, DC, AT-R has been practicing a gentle and intuitive form of chiropractic and nutritional therapy for 12 years and is currently serving as Medical Programs Director at Wellbridge Health Center, LLC in Prescott, Arizona. 

More Information:

Find a pain management program near you
Wellness Coach in Prescott

Related Links: 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24958161

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25312172

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24958161