Pilates
Pilates is a type of exercise that focuses on overall body conditioning with an emphasis on core strength and stability. The technique seeks to improve muscle tone and strength around the joints, which reduces any associated instability or pain. As the training can be adjusted to suit all ages and levels of fitness it has become very popular and is widely used in rehabilitation after injury, illness or surgery. Weather for postural correction or as part of sports training programme there are benefits for people from all backgrounds.
There has been compelling research over the years that a stronger core leads to improved sporting performance, through better power transfer to the limbs from a stable core. As a result many sporting professionals from football to tennis now incorporate Pilates into their training programmes.
Due to the non-impact nature of Pilate’s exercises it has become increasingly popular amongst pregnant women. Prior to giving birth Pilates helps gently maintain fitness throughout the pregnancy, improves posture, reduces back pain and strengthens the pelvic floor muscles. Post-natal, it helps recover fitness, particularly abdominal toning, and lowers stress levels.
The adaptability of Pilates training is one reason its popularity has only increased since Joseph Pilates developed it more than 80 years ago. Weather you have musculoskeletal pain or wish to improve your sporting performance the benefits of Pilates are many. Some of which include;
- Increased core stability
- Improved muscle tone and control.
- Improved proprioception.
- Better fitness and endurance
- Improved flexibility
- Better posture
- Relives stress and boosts sense of wellbeing.
- Greater power generation in limbs from strong core.
- Better recovery rate from injury.
Pilates is often recommended by therapists as it has a low impact on the joints and requires very little athletic ability or equipment to participate. The exercises pose low risk of injury yet will challenge all your major muscle groups. It is a calming, meditative programme of exercise suitable for everyone. For the more experienced there are ways to progress the difficulty of Pilates exercises to maintain your improvement. Your therapist may recommend Pilates to you as part of your exercise rehabilitation programme, to either safely improve your general health or to specifically target a functional weakness. Conditions that commonly benefit from Pilates as part of an exercise rehabilitation programme include;
- Posture correction
- Muscle weakness
- Lower back pain
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Sacro-iliac pain
- Hip and Knee pain
- Joint hypermobility
- Muscle tightness, especially hamstring.
Whatever your age, current level of fitness or goals for training, Pilates has something to offer. As part of a broader rehabilitation programme or to relieve stress and boost your general health, our experienced instructors can help you get the most out of your Pilates training. If you would like more information on how Pilates can help you, or want to book an appointment, please email nick@nickcastle.co.uk. or phone us on 0207 386 9777.
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I didn't actually choose to see Nick - I was sent to him by my exasperated personal trainer, and now I can't thank her enough! Five weeks before the London Marathon I developed a pain in one of my glutes and did what any self-respecting idiot would do - ran on it until it was so bad it hurt just to walk, and the months of training seemed like they'd been for nothing.
Nick is wonderful. He's very professional and thorough and he has a naturally calming manner that will put you at ease. He also clearly knows his stuff - in our first session he quickly identified my problem (piriformis) explained it in terms I could understand (!) and gave me exercises to speed up recovery.
I had three more sessions and they were well worth it. As well as treating the injury he also assessed my running style for any underlying issues and correctly identified previous injury sites. With his help I was able to quickly get back into training and, by some miracle, a week before the marathon I was pain free.
I joked that, as well as fixing my injury, I expected Nick to make me run faster. Well, maybe... Just maybe... The man's a magician! I'm delighted to say I ran a pb, clocked my first sub-3 hour marathon and came 46th out of all the ladies. Thank you Nick! I cannot recommend him enough.
- Ros P
A big thank you to Elaine (osteopath) at Nick Castle Osteopathy & Sports Medicine Clinics - after just 2 sessions she managed to work out some major aches and pains I'd been having daily, for over 6 months. I plan on seeing her on a regular basis to prevent any future problems. Thanks again!
- Priti S
I have had 2 sports massages with Nick, one in Kensington and one in Amersham. Nick is a very approachable therapist, who spends time building a picture of the type of sports you do and the injuries you have. I have found Nick's techniques to really help improve my performance.
- Jane B
