Rapid Rehab LA Pilates Based Physical Therapy Brentwood California

When it comes to signal health, a bulging disk is one of the biggest predators, not to mention one of the most common. Bulging disks usually develop overtime and are more common in the elderly. In the lower back a disk may shift out of its normal placement within the lumbar, and when this occurs a piece of the cushion that surrounds the vertebrae is compromised. The condition can even go unnoticed for periods of time, since it is usually only noticed when it pinches a nerve or becomes a herniated disk.

A bulging disk is therefore considered a secondary condition and is usually only identified through diagnostic image tests or routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Postural imbalances can add to the potential of a bulging disk, and since Pilates based rehab is exceptional in realigning the spine and heightening body awareness it is a great alleviator of the condition.

Rudimentary movements that are executed improperly over time cause injuries. Steps need to be taken to rectify faulty postures, and to lubricate joints through increase flexibility exercises, and Pilates is one of those most important steps.

One case study from Rehab Management Journal found that a client who suffered from a bulging disc greatly decreased the severity of her condition once she introduced Pilates based rehab into her rehabilitation regime. Her pain level on a scale of 1-10 was a 7 at the beginning of her treatments, after 12 sessions she had lowered that pain scale to 4.

Pain limited this client’s range of motion and she was charted at only having 15% of her flexibility at the beginning of treatment. After the twelve sessions her range of motion around the area had increased 35 degrees. For her rehabilitation it was found that soft tissue work and joint mobilization greatly improved her condition as well as alleviated pain.

By engaging the whole body in a quest to address a bulging disk, an entirely new rhythm of everyday activity is found. Pilates based rehab introduces an energy efficient methodology of movement that will change the way you pick up a box or run a mile. Its wellness proponents are easy on the joints and especially on the lower back where a bulging disk may be occurring. This makes it a perfect addition to any lower back or spinal abnormality rehabilitation program.

The advantage to participating in a low-impact recovery program, like a Pilates based rehabilitation program, is that for a bulging disk the area may be inflamed and even be painful. Yet it can be addressed without adding to the level of discomfort that one may feel during the exercises themselves. The exercises found in Pilates based rehab highlight gliding motions, incorporate purposeful and effective breathing patterns.

Since the low back is found within the trunk of the body, it is essential for long term recovery that the core muscles are used and strengthened. When the muscles within the trunk of the body are weak that is when an individual is at the greatest risk for developing harmful and improper postural alignment and muscular imbalances, which can result in a bulging disk.

Strengthening the back muscles and increasing the back’s flexibility is the best way to begin a rehabilitation program for a back injury. Pilates’ unique approach to muscle strengthening is perfect for those with injuries because its lengthening moves are easy on the body yet they require the utmost in muscle integration. Once the back can be reintroduced as a balanced component of the body’s musculoskeletal system, injuries are less likely to occur and will be much less painful if they do.

Pilate’s rehabilitation exercises focus on lumbar stabilization, which is achieved through a series of movements that incorporate The Core. The Core muscles include: Transverse Abdominis, The Pelvic Floor Muscles, and the Multifidus-, which is the deep muscles of the back. Some refer to the strengthening of The Core as tightening your body’s corset. This acts as a visual guide for those who don’t understand the concept of The Core. Once the corset around the spine is tightened it creates a safety cage for the muscles to move with ease and as a result remain protected from injury.

Pilates elongates the muscles in the back and engages them proactively with every pose. In other forms of strength training such as weight-bearing exercises, or weight machines, isolation of the muscles is encouraged. This however, increases the possibility of imbalance.

The goal of Pilates it to create a whole body approach to exercise, which can correct imbalances, realign bad postural habits, and strengthen the muscles surrounding the spine. Range of motion is also increased through Pilates, which allows for further flexibility in the body. Flexibility is key in keeping the joints limber and lubricated.

Postural education is one of the more unique factors implemented in Pilates based rehab programs. Pilates based rehabilitation instructors take the time to explain why certain movements change injury potential and work with you to master them. Pilates is not only a rehabilitation program, it is a great way for those with injuries to reestablish the quality of life they knew, pre-injury.

Instead of just trying to treat an abnormality in the body, Pilates physically recreates patterns of movement. If the back injury was a product of poor posture or spinal misalignment, or improper form in activity, Pilates aims to correct that.

Re-injuring oneself is of great concern in the rehabilitation world. Active recovery is one way to avoid that.  When you are actively using and strengthening the muscles that are involved in the injury, they have less capacity to be strained. The more a muscle goes un-used or un-trained, the higher the chances that their dormancy will lead to an injury again.

Whether a patient takes a Pilates Mat class, or a machine-based class both will challenge the back muscles. Machine Pilates based rehab pushes against spring-loaded resistance for an even glide of exercise. This enables people of all ages with back injuries to begin where they can, dependent upon physical ability. Pilates based rehabilitation is not only rehabilitation; it is a way to return to a whole life.