Pilates for chronic back pain | NHS

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A pilates-inspired workout that’s suitable for people with chronic back pain.

More research is needed, but there is some evidence to suggest that pilates can be helpful for people who have lower back pain.

This 29-minute class focuses on improving the strength and flexibility of muscles that support the back.

Regular pilates practice can help with posture, muscle tone, balance and joint mobility. It can also relieve stress and tension.

These fitness videos have been created by InstructorLive and range from 10 to 45 minutes. Please note that these videos are recorded sessions of previously live webcasts.

For more free exercise ideas, check out our other popular exercise programmes, such as the Fitness Studio, the Couch to 5K running plan for beginners, Strength and Flex podcast, and the 10-minute workout series.

“We, and our partner InstructorLive, have taken reasonable endeavours to ensure that the content of these videos is, to the best of our knowledge, accurate and suitable for most people undertaking general exercise. However, it is not professional advice or tailored to any specific condition, characteristic or person. Before following and undertaking the exercises in this video, you (and anyone else taking part) should consult with a health professional and/or your GP if you: consider it necessary; have any concerns about your health; are not sure whether the exercises are suitable; have any pre-existing health problems, injuries, or any current symptoms. Undertaking these exercises and use of information within the video is at your own risk. You should stop exercising immediately and seek medical attention if you should feel any discomfort. Neither we nor InstructorLive shall be held liable or responsible for any injury, loss or damage of any kind (including, (without limitation) any direct, special, indirect or consequential damages) arising out of or in connection with the use of this video by you or anyone else except to the extent that such liability cannot be limited or excluded by law.”

0:00 Disclaimer
0:23 Workout

22 COMMENTS

  1. I’m a 68 year old male with arthritis in my lower spine for about 35 years. Would these exercises still be applicable to guy as old as me?
    The back is ok when I walk, but any type of work that involves stooping over soon leaves me in pain.

  2. I've had back pain for years, I even ended up in the hospital once.
    Then I started to do spine exercises a year ago and I am 100% pain free since.
    Not to mention I gained a little muscle as well and my mood is better.
    I also read that these kind of workouts are very very good for the heart.

  3. Ok, there's one thing that is really putting me off this. As a beginner it's hard enough to keep up with a continuous stream of instructions as it is, why make half of them silly things like 'breathing into the side of the body' that are just incomprehensible. I found much better relief from just doing the simple exercises my physiotherapist gave me. I thought this would have more 'flow' but so much of what was being said was just words for the sake of talking and made no sense.

  4. This workout helped my back pain almost immediately! It was an acute injury from work and was so painful but these exercises definitely helped. I will continue doing them and will look at doing some other videos too.

  5. All I can say is thank you. It has worked wonders in 5 days. On Saturday I couldn't walk and had shooting pains down my legs and into my feet. I was an extremely unhappy man. Now I'm up and about, walking and finally have the confidence that I can start strengthening my core again without injuring my back. You will be in my prayers

  6. Good morning Sam, my name is Evelyn. My GP sign posted me to your link. I joined your Pilate exercise class this Saturday morning and find them helpful. Could you please advise me on some gentle knee exercises to do whilst doing the Pilate exercise. I do suffer from some arthritis also in my knees, hips and ankle. Also, l have spondylitis on my back. Thank you so much.

  7. Hi Sam. I'm restarting your programme of exercises for chronic back pain. You mentioned one exercise in a previous video I watched a year or so ago, which you advised we all do every day, even if it is the only one we do! Can you enlighten me as I didn't save that particular video?

  8. Thank you so much for this amazing session🙏I noticed a huge difference in my lower back pain and sciatica after doing this. Feeling so much better now😊Thanks once again. Sending you many blessings🙏

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