Okay lets be honest here, back pain isn’t always solved, sometimes it is and sometimes it isn’t but what I do know for sure is that mindfulness Pilates ALWAYS helps people feel better. But it isn’t just about going to a one to one or properly taught lesson, it’s about the power of practice.
When someone has a weak back, a weak core stability, which they invariably do after suffering back pain, a back problem and something like a prolapsed disc. Having lessons alone will not fix it. You have to practice, not just practice, but practice the right exercises for you as well as with the right technique and the right level for you.
Some people find, like me that you keep progressing at Pilates, keep gradually improving muscle imbalances, and you gain more and more confidence, but it’s about maintenance for your back. The end of the day, there is damage to my back, and some of it isn’t going to disappear, as much as I believe in the power of positive thinking and doing everything exercise wise to help my back. What I’m personally glad about is that I have quality of life, I manage my back well, but I do really have to look after it. I can’t just be sat here typing and writing to you and having my legs crossed over, NO. That aggrevates my nerves. But what I love about it is it makes you feel better and makes life so much more comfortable and enjoyable.
Other days I teach people and quickly or with a lot of practice and dedication, they actually really do re-gain their quality of life one hundred percent, like my client David. I loved receiving this testimonial today:
‘Complications following a Hernia operation in 2017 meant a sustained period of inactivity from the gym and sport in general. Regaining this strength proved more difficult than initially anticipated resulting in subsequent back-issues being highlighted, namely a prolapsed disc & arthritis in my facet joints. Various stretching and strengthening exercises were recommended by physio’s without any sustained improvement throughout 2018 & 2019 meaning sport was limited specifically golf. Pilates with Bev was recommended to me late in 2019 as a possible route for permanent improvement. My first 1:1 with Bev in the Pure Chill Studio near Whitecliff was arranged in early 2020 with subsequent fortnightly sessions with daily practice in-between. Early March brought the first significant signs of improvement in strength and mobility but unfortunately Covid then brought us to a standstill. Bev encouraged daily practice during lockdown to enforce what we’d already built and by the time golf courses were open again I was able to play a few holes pain free. I am now able to participate in all sports of my choosing without pain, even completing a 36 hole event in early September. I continue to practice Pilates every day. Thank you, Bev” David Talbot
Want to do something about your back pain? You can. But be in no doubt it takes practice, every single day.
Love Bev
Beverley Densham Bsc (Hons) Pilates teacher of 22 years
