This term we will be thinking about how Pilates can help us maintain and improve our joint health.
In order for our joints to be ‘healthy’, we need mobility through an appropriate range of motion, stability of the joint itself and strength and endurance of the muscles around the joint. We need the correct balance of these structures so that our joints can meet the demands we place on them.
Different joints in the body have different roles. So to be healthy each joint needs a different approach to exercise. For example, the shoulder joint is highly mobile but lacks stability compared with the sacroiliac joint which has very little movement but is much more stable. Some joints are designed for weight bearing, these need strong muscles and are generally less mobile. Other joints, such as the small joints in our neck need flexibility and movement control.
Age, injury, our activity, or inactivity (!) can all influence our joint health.
Can Pilates help me improve my joint health?
Yes! Exercise is brilliant for our musculoskeletal health. And targeted clinical Pilates delivers a bespoke approach for each part of your body.
Pilates exercises are low impact. This can be really useful if sore joints find limit other forms of exercise.
Pilates exercises are an effective way to mobilise joints through their range of movement. Moving joints helps keep them lubricated and flexible.
Pilates also focuses on strength and muscle endurance. Strong, balanced muscles provide support and stability to our joints.
Whether in 1:1 sessions or in our group classes our team will work with you on an individual basis to support you with adaptions, progressions and corrections during your programme.
How will Pilates help my joint health?
Pilates can help promote joint health by improving the mobility of the joint and the strength and endurance of the muscles around it. This term, your instructor will focus on a different aspect of joint health, adding progressions and variations each week to ensure you feel challenged. Your instructor may bring some small equipment such as resistance bands, pilates balls and weights to add challenge.
Below is the template that your instructor will use to plan your programme this term. We hope you enjoy it!
Week 1: Understand and recap the key elements of Pilates, the foundations of the Pilates method.
Week 2: Joint mobility
Week 3: Joint health of shoulder with a focus on stability
Week 4: Joint health of the pelvis with a focus on core stability
Week 5: Joint health of the lower limb with a focus on weight bearing
Week 6: Joint health of the spine with a focus on mobility and flexibility
Week 7: Building muscle balance – strength, endurance, and length
Week 8: Recap of the term focussing on joint health as a whole
Find out more about Pilates for joint health
You can find more information on the benefits of exercise and pilates for joint health here:
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoarthritis/treatment/
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/get-active/home-workout-videos/
