I first experienced excrutiating lower back pain when I was 17 years old. That's MANY years ago! The solution for me was ... err ... to suffer! Sounds crazy, I know.

But, that was it. No solution. No cure. No magic pill.

That was the answer for me, as it probably is for the vast majority of people who experience general back pain.

Then, in recent times, I discovered Pilates. WOW!

Pilates has helped me amazingly!

I discovered that Pilates can do a great deal for you generally and specifically for general lower back pain, amongst other pains too. However, the end results aren't obtained without a little work and careful attention to Pilates practice over a reasonable period of time.

I found - as the gurus will tell you - that the regime works best when Pilates becomes a regular part of your normal lifestyle. In this way, your body becomes invigorated and it also helps relax the mind too. It is also a fabulous way to de-stress. This will also help lift your spirits when you have been used to some degree of discomfort or pain for a period of time.

So, “What Can Pilates Do For My General Lower back Pain?” When taught and followed with care, Pilates can benefit you as follows:-

Release from pain

Some of the exercises are an ideal solution for a release from pain. They can help to ease general lower back pain as well as pain in joints, plus pain or discomfort experienced after pregnancy. Practicing Pilates during pregnancy is a specialized area that needs particular consideration.

It is important to note, that the exercises need to be considered in respect of the particular area of pain. It would be wrong to assume that all Pilates exercises will release you from all types of pain. This is definitely NOT the case. A carefully structured approach to selected Pilates exercises under professional guidance can however be utilised for a release from general lower back pain with a very high degree of success. Like all exercise regimes, I have to say that you should consult with your doctor or other relevant clinical professional before starting any new form of exercise. If your condition is appropriate, they will most probably be very encouraging toward you in taking on a carefully prepared routine of Pilates exercises.

Protection from the onset of pain

Pilates is the ideal protection from back pain. The secret is the careful strengthening of the central core muscle structure, which will help enormously to stabilise your spine. This process will also help correct posture and lead to improved agility, co-ordination and balance. As a result, you will find you are able to go about your everyday life with better stability and a substantially reduced chance of suffering injury or pain. Protection from lower back pain by strengthening your central core muscles is clearly the best approach in life, rather than having to remedy painful conditions after they arise. Pilates is the ideal exercise to tone and strengthen our bodies for this protection.

What Else Can Pilates Do For Me?

In addition to providing you with a release from pain and protecting your back from future general lower back pain, Pilates is a fantastic approach to other benefits too. Such as….

Living healthily into old age. This may sound far fetched, but Joseph Pilates (the founder of the Pilates movement) lived a fit and active life well into his 80's and so did his daughter, who was another keen follower of the exercise principles.

Feeling good and looking good too! Practicing regularly is an excellent way to tone the body and improve strength and agility. No wonder so many of the Hollywood celebrities are keen advocates of Pilates. They LOVE to look good.

Creating a taller, leaner body. Yes - you'll think that "getting taller" is surely utter rubbish, but trust me it can happen. The secret is down to postural improvements.

And much more besides .... I can't go into too much detail in this short article, but will look forward to following up with further articles and also invite you to read more of what I have to share in my other online writings and videos.