In a study conducted by the Global Burden of Disease in 2017, researchers reported that back pain was the leading cause of disability worldwide. Yikes!
If we take a step back to ask “why,” this shocking statistic starts to make sense – this is a good thing. If we can understand the "why," it allows us to seek guidance and solutions for change.
The why lie within the anatomical structure of our spines. Let's take, for example, the Golden Gate Bridge; Pilates in Common is located in San Francisco afterall!
Photo by: Maarten van den Heuvel
Would you ever stand this bridge upright/ vertical, like a skyscraper? Heck no!
Well, that’s basically what happened to the human spine. We took a spine evolved for quadruped, swinging-from-tree living and we stood it upright on two feet. In an article from Science, writer Ann Gibbons compares the spine to “stacking 26 cups and saucers on top of each other and then, balancing a head on top.”
Think about nearing the end of a game of Jenga – that’s the human spine. Getting it?
So, how does understanding that the spine is a hot mess anatomically and structurally help us recover from and even prevent lower back pain? We can ask ourselves: what does something inherently unstable need?
Answer: stability
Second question: how do we provide stability to the spine?
Second answer: the core
Third question: what is the core?
Third answer: ask us!
We’re sure you’ve heard it before, especially if you’re currently experiencing lower back pain – “strengthen your core.” Sounds simple. It can be, once you understand a) what is the core and b) what does it take to strengthen the core? Here’s where Pilates take center stage.
Pilates helps you understand:
- The core is three-dimensional. This is important to comprehending why core strength helps stabilize our jenga spines
- What muscles belong to the core. We have to know what to squeeze and what to stretch!
- Without proper neuromuscular control, relief from and progression away from lower back pain is less efficient
Have we sparked your curiosity? If so and you want to learn more, reach out to us or book a session! We teach from a place of education and personal experience, so trust that your spine will be in good hands.
By: Destinie Slavich
Image by: Inge Poelman
