Pilates CAUSING back pain??

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Oakley64

0
I have some pilates (and yoga videos), and i basically gave up with them, cause i would get TERRIBLE back pains during the exercises. The pains occur in my lower back, and always when 'coming out' of an exercise...i have to straighten out real slow, but after i am fine...

is this cause my muscles are just insanely weak? Or is it cause my form is all wrong? I really try to keep my back straight, but have a lot of trouble...i just feel like that pain is NOT normal!

I just joined a class, but it is pretty big - hopefully i can talk to the instructor about it, but its not for another weak, and i wanted to hear from others in case i dont have the chance to talk to her before it starts.

thanks :)
 
really concentrate on keeping your core/Abs tight. This will support the lower back. Remember "NAVEL TO SPINE"
 
dmg713 said:
really concentrate on keeping your core/Abs tight. This will support the lower back. Remember "NAVEL TO SPINE"
Click to expand...


thats what i have sooo much trouble with :(

I am in this "killer kore" class, and we were doing this exercise where we were laying on our backs, and had our legs up in the air, making circles. It KILLED my lower back. I asked him if i was supposed to feel it in my lower back, and he said NO! So he was pressing my stomach down, and trying to get my lower back onto the ground....even then, it wasnt really on the ground...

its just really frustrating - cause we were supposed to be feeling it in our inner and outer thighs...and i didnt at all. I feel like my lower back is compromising my workout during some exercises.

Im not saying i am incapable of doing this...but i dont think i concentrating on keeping it down helps at all (cause i do!!)...

is there something else i can be doing to build strength somewhere to make this easier??
 
I've always been led to believe there's always some modification that can be done to an exercise to avoid situations like this and others. Our pilates instructor showed the class I belong to a piece of equipment that could be used to help people who had problems raising their hands/feet off the floor while lying on their stomachs. I wish I could remember what it was called, but it looked like a the bottom of a letter U, and you could balance on it.
 
Your original question was whether its due to a lack of strength in the associated muscles or incorrect form. Its BOTH - the lack of strength in the abdominals makes it virtually impossible for you to attain proper form when doing an exercise demanding too much strength. The key for you would be to Start Slow! If you cannot flatten your back with your legs straight in the air then simply bend the knees down to 90 degrees(Horizontal). If you still cannot flatten you lower back onto the floor then try placing both feet on the floor with knees bent at 90*. Back should atuomatically flatten, if not the flatten it and work on this. Once back flattens easily then straighten legs on the floor now your back should once again arch, work on flattening it again(Keep arms along the sides of your body). Then progress to legs in the air but bent at the knees to 90*. Thereafter you may straighten them - only while you can maintain a flat back.

Pilates allows one to progress and regress to the intesity suitable for ones makeup. You just need to determine where to start and work from there!
Enjoy!!!
 
When I first started working out I used pilates and yoga videos and I had the same problem with my lower back especially with plank exercises ...I started using some core training videos and they really helped me gain strength in my abs and lower back. I have used Kari Anderson's "Curl" which really helped me strenghten my abs...Also if you have some weights I would try some dead lifts...these have strengthened my lower back and now when I do my pilates videos I have none of the discomfort that I previously had. Have Fun!!:rolleyes:
Debra
 
What exactly do they mean by navel to spine anyway? Do they want you to "suck in" your tummy, flex it... what?
 
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