The Pilates Back Book

The Pilates craze has swept the nation, and everyone from celebrities to college students to homemakers are in on it. They know that Pilates can grant tremendous fitness benefits, that it can stretch and tone and strengthen, and that the exercises are fun to do. But most people aren't aware that Pilates stretches can relieve pain, too. Back pain is the number one cause for missing work in America. Millions of people suffer from back pain and are unable to find relief from drugs or surgery. Pilates is a collection of exercises for strengthening the spine, and it can relieve chronic neck, back, and shoulder pain for good. The Pilates Back Book is the first book to highlight the pain-relieving properties of Pilates. Readers will discover: -The link between muscles and back pain-and how to use that knowledge to prevent further injury. -How to design a personal Pilates program for specific types of pain. -Exactly how to do the Pilates stretches through lavish full-color photos.

A self-help manual focusing on back pain prevention and rehabilitation using the unique Pilates body conditioning system 3 in 5 of us will suffer from backache in our lives. In order to mitigate against the worst-case scenario, use Pilates to strengthen your back and also the supporting muscles so that it doesn't take all the strain. Pilates has a strong reputation in tackling back problems and many doctors, osteopaths and physiotherapists are already endorsing its unique quality to exercise deeply but gently and to rebalance the posture (many are opening Pilates centres in their surgeries). The Back Book is a one-stop reference guide, explaining how the back works, why backache occurs, the different types of back pain, when to seek professional help, lifestyle tips for prevention and exercises to promote flexibility and hold the correct posture. For those already suffering, a special remedial programme of exercises is designed to restore mobility. With brand new exercises and the expertise of Paul Massey, Chief Physiotherapist to Britain's Olympic Swimming team, leading Pilates practitioner Lynne Robinson can help you bypass or overcome this most common of agonies.

The Pilates Prescription for Back Pain details the self-care program that trained Pilates physical therapists have been using for decades to eliminate back pain. The authors explain each step of the program, outlining the relevant anatomy and teaching the fundamental concepts of Pilates. The book’s three-stage approach builds patient confidence as it strengthens core muscles. The series of coordinated exercises improves postural alignment and body awareness, helping to prevent problems and alleviate existing conditions. Detailed illustrations and photos of each exercise are included.

By following Selby's safe exercise program, which was designed for use in thehome, users can say goodbye to back pain the Pilates way. 75 photos.

The classic program for relieving back pain, revised and updated with the latest innovations in treating pain and maintaining mobility. Dr. Vijay Vad’s Back Rx program has helped readers with back pain, joint pain, arthritis, and related conditions for decades, using a clinically proven mind-body regimen to reduce pain and painkiller usage. In this expanded edition, Dr. Vad explores the extraordinary innovations in managing pain to restore health and wellness not only to your back, but to your entire body. In addition to the stretches that are the touchstone of the program, Back Rx includes new information on • The best overall eating regimen for back pain sufferers, including new guidance on the science of Intermittent Fasting (IF). • Exercise, including high-intensity interval training (HIIT). • The use of medical marijuana and CBD oil (cannabidiol) to relieve back pain. • The safest way to use over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. • Developments in ergonomics, from furniture to clothes. • An assessment of the future of back pain relief, including the latest advances in stem cell treatment and electronic stimulation. • Introduction of the Back Rx app, a powerful self-help tool to enhance compliance and end your pain once and for all. Including dozens of exercises and poses, all clearly demonstrated in precise photos, Back Rx will put the power to relieve back pain in your hands.

Comprehensive and easy-to-follow, this original Pilates best-seller produces real results. It includes three levels of workouts and six routines that provide something for every person who wants the strength, flexibility, fitness and pain relief that have made Pilates workouts so popular. Pilates exercises offer a complete fitness system. They combine key elements of yoga and bodywork with original techniques that strengthen the "core" muscles of the torso while increasing flexibility throughout the body. Rather than building bulk, the techniques create sculpted muscles, reduce stress and increase energy. Special Features of this Book * A thorough introduction to the history and philosophy of Pilates' techniques * Detailed descriptions of 115 Pilates exercises in basic, intermediate and advanced routines * 176 step-by-step photographs illustrating the exercises * A special chapter on pain relief for back, knees, hips, shoulders, ankles and feet * A special section for athletes, with strength-building and flexibility exercises This New Edition Includes Special Sections on * The Stamina Stretch-to increase breathing capacity and support core abdominal muscles * The B-Line Core-to give support for routines, a trimmer waist and relief from back pain * How to change the way you walk to prevent back pain and tension headaches * Back-strengthening routines for rotational sports like golf, tennis and racquetball * Upper-body exercises for computer users Most Pilates books don't address the different needs of beginners, advanced practitioners and athletes-but this book is different. Written by a former top college athlete, it can be used by both beginners and instructors to complement sports-training programs. The exercises are also perfect for people who simply want to get in shape. Use this book as your personal training manual as you explore your fitness potential to the fullest!

ABOUT THE BOOK Pilates is a kind of exercise that works both the mind and the body. It improves strength without necessarily building bulk. It also targets the core (midsection) and other muscles that often get neglected by other activities. My introduction to Pilates happened at an early age. For most of my life, I was considered tall for my age with long legs and big feet. My parents thought it would be a good idea to enroll their lanky toddler in ballet classes. I continued those classes (and other dance classes) for over 14 years. In high school, I was a lean 5’8” ballet dancer and basketball player. I still had big feet, but they were complemented by long legs, long arms, and a long neck. What did I have to complain about? My midsection. I was relatively slim, but I had a pudgy middle. In high school, where appearances are everything, I wanted to do something about it. Fortunately, around this time, my dance instructor introduced the class to the Pilates method. She said that Pilates is based off of the ballet moves many of us had been doing for most of our lives. She promised that the method would flatten our midsections and make us feel taller. My dance instructor made good on her promise. After just 15-20 minutes of Pilates before we started dancing, I felt taller. Over time, I felt slimmer. I was hooked. I’ve been doing Pilates ever since, and I love it. I’ve taken classes and I’ve done several Pilates DVDs. Of all the activities I participate in (everything from running to basketball to kickboxing to Zumba), Pilates is one that I always come back to because it is really so effective and important. EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK Pull the part of your stomach area that is below your belly button upwards and inwards--as if you are pulling it away from your belt line.Keep your rib cage relaxed and breathe normally.You should be able to feel the muscle contracting in your lower abdomen. Another essential skill is being able to activate your pelvic floor. Your pelvic floor muscles are at the base of your abdomen. They control your bladder and bowel functions. They also stabilize not only the pelvis but also the lower back. If you have lower back pain, are pregnant, or experience incontinence, learning how to control these pelvic floor muscles can really help. How do you activate your pelvic floor?Start in neutral spine position.Contract the muscles you would use to urinate.Breathe as you normally would. Once you can handle activating your TA and your pelvic muscles separately, try activating them together. Ready for some advanced Pilates moves? Great! Here are six of the most common moves for experienced Pilates pupils. Because sometimes it’s easier to see the moves being done rather than reading about them, many of the links in this section are to videos. Advanced Pilates ExercisesThe Crab--The Crab requires complete control from your core, so it will give you a great ab workout. It builds on exercises like the “Roll Up” but is slightly more advanced.Start by sitting up straight. Bend your knees almost Indian style and cross your feet at the ankles.Bring your knees up to your shoulders and grab your feet with your hands.Drop your head and allow your spine to curve as your prepare to roll.Breathe in and roll back. Control the movement. Try not to let your limbs flail around.Once you roll to your shoulders, let go of your feet and switch your feet around. Grab your feet again as you prepare to roll up.Breathe out and roll forward. Inhale as your head touches the mat.Roll back to repeat the move.Double Leg Kick--This move works the back extensors and the hamstrings primarily, but it can be a total-body exercise as well.Start by lying face down with your head turned to one side and your feet together.

The Pilates Bible is the most authoritative and comprehensive book on Pilates matwork ever written and demonstrates why this hugely popular exercise has gone from cult status to an essential part of our modern lifestyle. Drawing on the latest medical research, the authors have updated old favourites as well as introduced many new. All can be performed with little or no equipment and The Pilates Bible allows you to progress safely at your own pace through Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced. There are also special sections on Pilates for new mothers and children, people with problems such as osteoarthritis, back pain and knee injuries, as well as Pilates at the gym and the workplace, and for the performing arts and sport. This is truly the one-stop guide for Pilates novices as well as those hoping to consolidate what they already know.

Learn how to improve your posture and relieve backaches and sore necks in Pilates Back Book. The book contains step-by-step excercises, accompanied by photographs, to help you build inner muscular strength and flexibility.