Are you having difficulties deciding which Pilates exercises are best for you to do? Do you have a bad back, sore hips, shoulders, or a weak core?
Due to the volume of questions I receive I decided to start this page to answer any questions you may have starting Pilates and/or deciding which exercises might be most beneficial for you.
This will also give you a chance to read about back and joint problems that others are having that may be similar to your own.
You may use this Google search box to help find specific phrases or topics. Be sure to check "Pilates-Back-Joint-Exercise.com" so you know you are getting the absolute best advice.
The advice I give is only my opinion and I encourage you and others to help me by contributing to the answers. It is a two-way web page.
You can ask a question, answer a question, or tell a story about how Pilates has helped you. You can become my co-expert on these questions by rating and submitting comments.
You can still contact me if you have a personal question that you feel would not benefit others or needs a more personal response.
Important: When you ask a question, please include as many details about your condition as you can.
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
SI Joint Dysfunction and Pain
Hi Jennifer, I just love your website...so much good information...and it just goes on and on!
The photos are a great aid too.
I have had SI Joint ...
Ab Pain from Exercising with C-Section
Hi,
I had a C-Section about 8 years ago and now after 2 more children (v-backs) I am getting back to the gym.
I am a bit out of shape but not too ...
In Pain After Pilates
I was looking to start pilates because of excrutiating pain from torn disks in my lower back. I am trying everything to avoid surgery.
My question ...
Bipolar hemiarthroplasty
Four months ago I had an accident and smashed my hip and now have a bipolar hemiarthroplasty.
I live in England and have had to find my own way of ...
Exercise for Seniors
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for this informative and helpful site.
I am going to order your Pilates DVD.
My question is for my elderly Mom - age 75....
Shoulder Ebook Exercises Helped my Pain after a Shoulder Surgery.
I thought I would take a moment to say thank you and Hi!
I had been having ALOT of trouble with my right shoulder after a shoulder surgery with nothing ...
More Pilates exercises after total hip replacement.
I love your web site but am confused. Which of your DVDs will actually show me the appropriate modifications I should do now that I've had my hip replacement ...
Sore Knees and Flat Feet
I have sore knees that also crunch when I walk due to being overweight and having flat feet. I have seen a pilates machine for sale and would like to ...
recovering from whiplash
I have a student who was rear ended in a minor car accident a few weeks ago. She has taken 3 weeks off. She is having pain in her mid back, between her ...
reformer exercises for si joint stabilazation
legs in straps lowers and circles help me, but i need much more. help
Jennifer's Response:
Hello Suzanne and thank you for your question. You ...
The Hundred
I attend a Pilates class twice a week and the instructor insists we all do the hundred in the advanced position,
but has now decided this isn't enough ...
Using the core
My question is regarding keeping your belly pulled in during Pilates exercises. Do you only pull your belly in during an exhale or do you keep it pulled ...
How to Stretch Body with Pilates
I'm looking for a good exercise program that can stretch body from head to toe without injuring myself.
Can Pilates do this for me?
Jennifer'...
Can Pilates Help With My Balance?
I am getting older and noticing a loss in my balance. I don't feel as steady on my feet and am looking stooped over.
Can Pilates exercises help with improving ...
Lax Ligaments/Hypermobility Issues in the SI Joint
I have lax ligaments and am hypermobile in general and have continuing problems with my joints being too loose.
My left sacroiliac joint in particular ...
Can Pilates help Sciatic Pain running down the back of my leg.
I have been having sciatic pain in my right side for several months now. My chiropractor said it's because my pelvis is rotated. I don't want to continue ...
Rebuilt Shoulder
I had my right shoulder rebuilt due to a rotator cuff tear about 4 months ago.
I am finished with my physical therapy and wondering if Pilates exercises ...
Back problems/knee problems HELP
Hi there, I have had five back surgeries and was starting to feel better. Then I was involved in a car accident and started to have back pain all over ...
Winging Scapula
I have a winging scapula that are not upwardly or downwardly rotated. Any ideas on what Pilates exercises I could perform to help this? I am in no pain....
Pilates modifications for spinal stenosis
I know some Pilates exercises (e.g. Swimming) shouldn't be done if you have spinal stenosis. Can these exercises be modified so they can be done?
Jennifer'...
Hip popping on leg circles
Hello-
Can you tell me what causes/what to do about uncomfortable popping in the hip during leg circles or when lowering the leg, such as in Single Straight ...
Knee exercises
I would like to know the pilate exercises to strengthen and support the knee joints but would also appreciate pointers to strengthen all my major joints ...
Pilates Control Front with Zebra
Check out the Zebra balancing during Control Front move! What precision! What focus!!
Psoriatic arthritis
I have a lady starting my classes who has the above condition. Her sacral vertebrae are fused,immovable and stiff. Her other joints are ok at the moment ...
Exercises Hurt my Back
"I'm trying to get into Pilates to strengthen my back and core muscles as I suffer from lower back pain and after having a baby things aren't as toned ...
Osteoporosis and Scoliosis
Not rated yet
I have both Osteoporosis and Scoliosis, please could you tell me which excerises should I avoid in Pilates.
--------------------------------------------------
Jennifer'...
What Pilates is good for me to do after my spine surgery?
Not rated yet
I had a spinal fusion 2 years ago L-4 L-5 S1 and was in serious car accident 4 weeks after, hit by a drunk driver. I'm not really healing so well and have ...
Pilates and Hip Replacement
Not rated yet
I am 6 months post total hip replacement.
I am looking for either a DVD or book to help with the correct modifcation of pilates because of my hip ...
Pilates and Prolotherapy
Not rated yet
I am currently receiving prolotherapy treatments for lax ligaments and bilateral SI dysfunction.
I have been doing pilates, level 3 reformer and mat ...
Rehabilitaing a Shoulder Impingement
Not rated yet
I ordered your Shoulder ebook on treating and preventing shoulder injury.
I am rehabilitating a shoulder impingement that doesn't limit range of ...
Is Neutral Spine safe for people with Herniated discs?
Not rated yet
A trainer mentioned to me that neutral spine was bad for patients with herniated discs.
He said that the position of the pelvis in neutral spine is ...
Calories burned doing a Pilates Reformer Workout
Not rated yet
I would like to know how many calories you burn doing a pilates reformer class for an hour?
--------------------------------------------------
Hi ...
Is Pilates good for Spinal Stenosis
Not rated yet
Hi, I have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis.
I was wondering if it was still safe to do pilates exercises?
I usually do my exercise at home ...
Pilates for Osteoporosis DVD
Not rated yet
I have osteoporosis & need a pilates for osteoporosis dvd to excersise with.
I tried 2 times to get those dvd's from Amazon but they were defective....
Exercies for Winged Scapula
Not rated yet
Can you give me excerises to helped with a winged scapula postural condition?
Thanks very much
Rhona
--------------------------------------------------
Jennifer'...
Torn labrum in right hip and herniated disc
Not rated yet
I am 56 yrs. old. Due to problems, I tore my labrum in the right hip. Then after the surgery which left me "bone on bone" in 6/7 months I needed total ...
Equipment Pilates
Not rated yet
What one piece of equipment do you think provides the best overall investment for a home studio?
--------------------------------------------------
The ...
Post Pregnancy Core Strengthening
Not rated yet
Hello. I am 31 years of age and had my secnd child 11 months ago. I eat healthy (lacto ovo vegetarian) and an having difficulty returning my core to it ...
Where do I start with Pilates ?
Not rated yet
I am an 81 yr old woman. I have osteoporosis. I have scoliosis , kyphosis , arthritis of lower lumbar spine . I see my chiropractor x 2 per month. I ...
Scoliosis leading to Kyphosis
Not rated yet
I am 62, and swim and lift weights regularly.
Sciolosis runs in my family and mine has progressed to kyphosis. An MRI shows I have no fractures but ...
Spinal Fusion along with Kyphosis and Scoliosis
Not rated yet
I have had severe scoliosis all my life. I had a spinal fusion at age 13. I am now 41 and last year I had to have it redone and they got me pretty straight ...
Effect of Pilates Reformer On Knees
Not rated yet
I have a torn meniscus. Is using the Pilates Reformer okay for me?
-----------------------------------------------
Jennifer's Response:
Hi ...
Pilates Exercises Helped my SI Joint Problem
Not rated yet
> Hi Jennifer,
> I bought your book re back, joint pain back in Jul '09 as I was having SI joint problems do to my golf and karate type workouts. I ...
Pelvic Floor Exercises for Uterine Prolapse
Not rated yet
Wow! 2009 was not so kind to me.
Jan of 09 took a hard fall, which resulted in a uterine prolapse.
Finally in April, after trying numerous things ...
Excercise for Lower Back Pain
Not rated yet
Hello,
How do I know if I did the excercise correct? I bought a DVD because a year ago I had a bad back pain, could not move for 2 days. Ever since ...
Painful SI Joints when I do Core Strenghtening Exercises
Not rated yet
I suffered severe sacrioiliac joint sprain six months ago following changing my horses saddle to a broader one which also set me in a different position ...
Had Spinal Fusion and Coccyxgectomy - need advice
Not rated yet
I had a Spinal Fusion and Coccyxgectomy in the past six months. My surgeon wants me to do core exercises.
Are there any Pilates moves I should avoid?...
SI pain after pilates
Not rated yet
Hi,
I did pilates on the reformer today and really noticed my SI joints bothering me. I think it was the short spine excercise. Do you have any recommendations?...
Pilates for pregnancy
Not rated yet
I am pregnant and in my last pregnancy I suffered from symphysis pubic dysfunction to the point that walking or even lying down was extremely painful. I ...
Hip Stretch and Knee Stretch
Not rated yet
I have always had tight muscles around the hips and knees.
What are some good Pilates exercises for a hip stretch and a knee stretch?
Jennifer'...
