Rapid Rehab LA Pilates Based Physical Therapy Brentwood California

Pilates is a functional exercise. This means that not only does it improve your health, physical appearance, and overall wellness, but it a practical addition that improves the quality of movement in your everyday life. Scapular stability is one of those everyday factors that Pilates improves.

When the shoulder bones are properly aligned with the spinal column and neck and head, this becomes critical. To perform Pilates exercises efficiently and to improve postural habits, shoulder stability will decrease the risk of nerve injury and muscular imbalances throughout the entire upper trunk.

The shoulder bones are irregular shaped bones, almost like wings, located in the middle of the upper back. Otherwise known as the shoulder blades. Not only do the shoulders allow for movement in the upper body, but they also act as protection for the spine and neck. The most common way to conclude how aligned or misaligned your shoulder girdle is, is by first looking to your own posture in the neutral position.

Some of us sit slightly to the left or right, or lean on our elbows, this absent-minded body behavior creates an open position between the shoulder blades, known as adduction. When the shoulders are separated for long periods of time, the upper body can begin to settle into that open space and create a hunched over appearance. In addition, rounding our shoulders forward is a common neutral position that is usually associated with shoulder adduction and can make the condition worse.

Similarly, some people tend to abduct their shoulders, by pulling them tight together. This puts strain on the front of the shoulder as well as increases tightness in the upper back. Pilates discourages both of these shoulder positions. Its goal is to reintroduce the scapular stability to the body, by incorporating physical reminders of how the body should feel at rest, as well as in motion.

Pilates instructors will often say, “Pull the shoulders down. Relax the shoulders.” Having shoulders that lie flat against the back is the ideal placement for the shoulder blades. This type of simple instruction can help us identify what it is that our bodies tend to naturally do on their own, without keeping alignment in mind.

The body is predisposed to improper posture and alignment, since in most sitting and standing positions we tend to slump. This is all a direct result of inconsistent body positioning.

Just like exercise we must be aware of our body positions throughout he day, not just during our workouts. It’s the little changes we make in our body’s improper postures will enable us to see and feel the greatest benefits that Pilates has to offer, balance and stability being two of those.

By redirecting our common day postures we are able to utilize our energy more efficiently, improve bone structure health, and keep our nervous system protected by the framework of our bodies.

Just a few times in a Pilates studio with the correct scapular stability positions intact, and you will be able to recognize when you are allowing your shoulders to round, retract, or pinch when they shouldn’t be. Pilates is all about reintroduce each body part, whether it’s muscle, tissue or bone, back into the working world of your body. And giving each piece of your body the chance to work, act and function just like it is supposed to.