Pilates

[Met00]

Does anyone go to Pilates and find it beneficial? If so, does the instructor advise you not to do flexion exercises? Mine doesn't seem to think it's a problem, but almost everything I've read on the subject stresses how important it is for people with osteoporosis to avoid these, just do extension exercises.

[Southessexgirl]

Extension exercises do put your spine under a lot of stress. There doesn't seem as yet to be a cast iron way of establishing how strong your back is, as opposed to BMD. Many people have always practised yoga/pilates and continue to do so after their diagnosis without a problem. But I think it will always be a game of Russian Roulette - there is always the possibility that this time might be the time something gives. Personally I don't think it's worth the risk. If you have to bend forward (to pick something up for example), bend the knees and try to flex at the hips rather than the waist.

[Hidden in reply to Southessexgirl]

Not easy when you have Arthritis in both hips (RA and Osteo). Get yourself a grabber instead. amazon.co.uk/ALUMINIUM-REAC... There are several available on Amazon.

[Maggie6 in reply to Southessexgirl]

I have been going to pilates classes for 13 years and find it is a brilliant way to strengthen core muscles that support your back. Our instructor is a class 3 gym instructor who always discusses with us ( individually) any medical issues and gives alternative exercises .She always tells us what each individual exercise is supposed to work and comes round and checks that we are doing it correctly .There are two of us in the class with osteoporosis and we are actively discouraged from doing anything that might injure our backs.I would say make sure your instructor has good qualifications as not all pilates teachers are the same.My friend with osteoporosis has a pilates instructor who is also a physiotherapist and she finds her classes are excellent to.

[Met00 in reply to Maggie6]

Thanks Maggie, that's really helpful. I gave my instructor some info on the exercises to avoid for osteoporosis and she seemed to take that on board and gave me alternatives to do instead. But last week she told me she has other people with osteoporosis in some of her classes and they can do all the exercises without any problems, so maybe I'll be able to eventually! She came recommended, but I'm now having some doubts about her training.

[Hidden in reply to Met00]

that sounds worrying- this isn't about developing the capacity to be flexible for those without osteoporosis. Sounds like she hasn't understood at all.

[Met00 in reply to Hidden]

That's my concern. Her class is very convenient for me to access, so I may continue, at least for the time being, making sure I stick to my guns and refuse to do anything unsuitable. But I think in the long run I need to look for an instructor with an understanding of osteoporosis!

[Hidden in reply to Met00]

You could get a personal tutorial from the expensive teacher which would give you the confidence in the normal class to resist the ignorance of that tutor. I know going to a class is helpful.

[Met00 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, that's a good idea and one I might consider.

[Kaarina]

Is this link any help to you? nhs.uk/Conditions/nhs-fitne...

[Met00 in reply to Kaarina]

Thanks Kaarina, I'd no idea the nhs website had videos like this on it. I might well give it a try. But ideally I'd like to continue with a pilates class as I'm no good at keeping up the motivation alone, so wonder if anyone has positive experience of attending a class.

[Hidden in reply to Kaarina]

this is a really good video, thanks for the link. Just worked through it and think this will be my daily programme now.

[Kaarina in reply to Hidden]

Happy to be of some help, Lois. I love to google!

[Jess21 in reply to Kaarina]

Thanks for this, it looks good Kaarina, have you tried it? Just wondering if it would be ok for someone with spinal fractures.

[Kaarina in reply to Jess21]

No I have not Jess but LoisParker has and thinks it will become her daily programme now.

[pattisue in reply to Kaarina]

I've just watched the video. Thankyou from also for giving us all the link

[Kaarina]

bodycontrolpilates.com/shop... There is a link on this website of qualified teachers which is updated on a regular basis.

It is difficult to know what exercises one can do when dx with OP as we are all different. There can surely only be a rough guide to follow. There is no one size that fits all.

[Met00 in reply to Kaarina]

Thanks Kaarina. There's only one instructor on the list who lives even vaguely near me. I'll contact her to see if she runs any classes near me, but otherwise it will be too much of a trek to get to her. However, I have had lots of recommendations for another local instructor who is trained in pilates for rehabilitation, so should understand and be able to adapt it for osteoporosis. The only problem is that she's very expensive!

[Kaarina in reply to Met00]

Hi Met60, I bet she is expensive. It can become a costly business trying to help ourselves with conditions we pick up along our journey!

[Met00 in reply to Kaarina]

Spot on there Kaarina!

[oldcrocrunner]

I was recommended to do Pilates by my physiotherapist when first diagnosed with osteoporosis. Previously, I had been a distance runner and regularly undertook a rigorous gym programme ( not a good idea with spinal fractures!). Pilates and walking are now my exercises of choice. I have found Pilates very beneficial, helping to combat negative posture changes, strengthening core muscles to protect the spine, and maintaining good mobility. But it is very important to ensure that your Pilates instructor is trained to work with those with osteoporosis. A good instructor should tailor all exercises to individual members of the class. Mine offers alternatives for me where necessary. I never do 'roll-downs' or 'curl-ups', I have alternative exercises which don't over-the-counter the spine.

Good Pilates can be really helpful, bad Pilates can hurt you so be careful.

[Met00]

Thanks oldcrocrunner, that's really helpful. I've been recommended Pilates on several occasions, including by a physiotherapist, but had been starting to wonder how beneficial it will be. I'll have to remain assertive with my instructor about avoiding flexion exercises!