BACK PROBLEMS: REFERRED PAIN

Many people come to class complaining of discomfort or pain in their legs, thinking that they have pulled or strained a muscle and are surprised to learn that it may well be a back problem which is causing referred pain.  Most of us have either had sciatica or understand the idea that it is something to do [...]

CAUSES OF A STIFF BACK & THE ROLE OF PILATES

STIFF BACK
My last blog on this subject discussed the symptoms and treatment of this very common cause of back pain, suggesting use of the Pilates video to help combat the problem.  Here I’m looking at the reasons why it should occur in the first place.
The Spine is designed to move: forward, backwards, sideways and twisting. [...]

ANATOMY OF THE SPINE & ITS FUNCTION

The human spine is an upright bendy column made up of 7 cervical vertebrae forming the neck, 12 thoracic vertebrae forming the middle back and 5 lumbar vertebrae forming the lower back. These 24 vertebrae sit on a triangular bone called the sacrum to which your pelvis is attached at the sacro-iliac joint. The coccyx [...]

BACK PROBLEMS: THE STATISTICS

Did you know that 90% of us will suffer from back problems at some point in our lives?
60% will be sub-acute or chronic and at least half of these cases will be caused by poor posture. The effects of these alarming statistics are far-reaching as the following facts show:-

11 million working days are lost each [...]

THE 8 PRINCIPLES OF PILATES

The following are the principles which govern my practice and make it safe and effective:-