Back pain and modern life style go together like a ‘horse and carriage’ (in the words of Frank Sinatra). Can you have one without the other? Pilates (prescribed abdominal exercise) may help you.
According to a new 2012 study published in the journal: Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise, Pilates can be as effective at easing and strengthening lower back conditions as any other general exercise programme.
Researchers randomly assigned 44 people to a dedicated Pilates programme and another 43 subjects to a general exercise regime for six weeks. Subjects were aged up to 70 years of age and had experienced chronic low back pain for at least 3 months.
Both groups received a questionnaire after 6, 12 and 24 weeks that qualified pain and function and general health related quality of life.
After only 6 weeks, both groups showed significant improvements regarding pain and disability, the Pilates group showed greater gains overall.
The study suggests that Pilates should be considered for many low back rehabilitation regimes.
(full article found in : Medicine & Science in Sport & Exercise, Official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine)