Back pain? Try Pilates, experts suggest after new study
Chronic non-specific low back pain is notoriously difficult to treat. Mind-body exercises can make a positive difference… and Pilates appears to be top of the list in a new comparison of options.
What is Pilates?
Pilates is a form of exercise that focuses on balance, posture, strength and flexibility, particularly of the body’s core. It’s suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
What is chronic non-specific low back pain?
If there is no known cause for lower back pain it is termed “non-specific”. When this lasts for over three months, it becomes known as “chronic” and is usually treated with exercise and over-the-counter pain medicines.
What are the new findings?
Experts looked at the effects that Pilates, Yoga, Tai Chi and Qigong had on people with chronic non-specific low back pain in terms of pain intensity and function. They found 36 relevant trials involving over 3,000 people. Pilates performed better than all the other mind-body exercises in reducing pain and improving function for people with back pain.
The experts are excited about the findings and suggest that “we need more high-quality, long-term follow-up randomised controlled trials to confirm our findings”.
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