Why is Pilates Effective for Knee Pain Treatment?
Knee pain or knee injuries are some of the most common orthopedic complaints. They could result either from an acute injury or from overuse. Poor biomechanics or a muscle imbalance are also plausible reasons for developing knee pain or knee injuries. In both cases, Pilates in Allen TX is a great rehabilitation option for knee pain.
What Is Pilates?
Pilates is an eponymous exercise system developed by, Joseph Pilates. It focuses on the core postural muscles that are engaged in keeping the body balanced and the spine in healthy alignment. First developed in the early 1900s, Pilates regained popularity in the 1980s among dancers and other fitness enthusiasts.
Pilates is usually taught using special Pilates equipment either in private or semi-private settings. Equipment is not always mandatory, many can learn without them too, on mats, much like yoga. One can learn Pilates one-on-one with an instructor, which is often a pricey option, or also learn in groups.
What Are Pilates Equipment?
Essentially, there are three pieces of equipment typically used to practice Pilates—the reformer, the Cadillac, and the Wunda Chair.
As mentioned earlier, one can learn Pilates in Allen TX without using the equipment. Alternatively, one can opt for mat exercises, which focus on strengthening the trunk muscles and hip muscles. In addition, mat exercises also increase the flexibility of the spine and the hips.
Who Benefits From Pilates?
Patients suffering from arthritis often shy away from exercises. Pilates is highly recommended, for them. Pilates can be an extremely gentle form of workout. It does not add stress to one’s joints or burden the ligaments and cartilage that surround the joints.
Instead, Pilates requires mental focus to perfect the movements and muscle control. One needs to be aware of maintaining proper spine position while exercising.
Pilates helps develop the deep muscles of the back and abdomen to support proper posture. Additionally, it uses breathing techniques to promote mental focusing and centering while practicing the movements. Lastly, Pilates helps lengthen, strengthen, and increase the flexibility of the muscles.
How is Pilates effective in the management of knee pain?
It is commonly known that knee alignment relies on a strong core, quadriceps, and gluteus muscles. Here, Pilates provides a low-impact, controlled environment that allows for the isolation of these muscle groups, in order to improve strength.
After an acute injury, one may be required to have a time of unloading the knee, so as to allow for inflammation, if any, to settle. This time is best utilized to start working on core and glute strengthening. With passing time, the injured knee begins to tolerate more load. At this step, the exercises are progressed to involve more weight bearing using the knee, and the focus may shift to quad strengthening and knee alignment.
The Pilates equipment uses springs. The highlight of these springs is that they can be adapted to either be assistive or be resistive to the exercise being practiced, making Pilates an ideal exercise for rehabilitation.
If one suffers from a chronic medical condition, it is absolutely mandatory to confirm with one’s doctor for no objections before beginning the Pilates program. Given the marvelous effects of including Pilates in a rehabilitation regime, your doctor is most likely to encourage your participation rather than discourage it.
Incorporating Pilates into rehabilitation is known to benefit many suffering from either knee pain or a knee injury. The scope of practicing Pilates for rehabilitation varies from a minor insidious anterior knee pain to a post—total knee replacement surgery. Pilates in Allen TX offers individualized programs to help reach your specific goals. Whether you wish to prevent injuries and maintain balance or wish to recover speedily from a specific knee injury, we Pilates is one of the most helpful fitness and rehabilitation regime for you.