Are you having difficulties deciding which Pilates exercises are best for you to do?
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.
Maybe you don't have a question, but you want to share with others a success story you've had with Pilates.
We would all love to hear how your back pain has gone away since you started doing Pilates, or maybe you have rehabilitated a frozen shoulder or knee or hip replacement using Pilates Exercises.
Do you have Osteoporosis and found that you were shrinking? Then, started doing Pilates and have gained back an inch or so due to the postural changes in your body.
I measure my own clients with Osteoporosis and other spine and postural conditions and have found many of them have grown!
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...
Buldging Disc and Coccyx Fracture





I have a lower buldging disc in my back, and 2 worn disc plus a fracture to my coccyx.
My question is, will Pilates help this?
I have been incredibly ...
Pilates for Post Spinal Fusion





I had an L4, L5, S1 spinal fusion 2 years ago.
Due to multiple reasons: inactivity and medications I have gained weight that I would like to lose....
Pilates for SI Joint Dysfunction





Pilates exercises can help with si joint dysfunction and pain.
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 ...
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 ...
Shoulder Ebook Exercises for pain and following a shoulder surgery.





Shoulder ebook exercises can help before or after shoulder surgery.
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 ...
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 ...
Pilates for Pregnancy





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 ...
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 for Breathing





How to use Pilates Breathing to stabilize and strengthen the core.
Can Pilates Help With 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 ...
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?





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 ...
Exercises for Winged Scapula





I have a winged scapula that is not upwardly or downwardly rotated.
Any ideas on what Pilates exercises I could perform to help this? I am in no ...
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?...
Hip Popping on Leg Circles





Hello-
Can you tell me what causes and what to do about uncomfortable popping in the hip during leg circles or when lowering the leg, such as in Single ...
Pilates workout attire





Pilates attire for safe and comfortable exercising
Doing Pilates When your Back Hurts





Find out how to modify your Pilates exercises when your back hurts during and after exercising.
Doing Pilates in a Wheelchair
Not rated yet
Hi,
I would like to ask your advice regarding the range of Pilates exercises that may be of assistance to a client in his 20's who has Cerebral Palsy....
Pilates after Back Surgery
Not rated yet
Pilates can be very helpful for people who have had back surgery and still have low back pain. Find out how to get started safely and why it works.
Is my problem Sacroiliac Joint or Pelvic Misalignment?
Not rated yet
I have lower back pain, seemingly originating on the right side at the top of my SI Jt.
I have pain and tension going up my back on the right side ...
Pilates Reformer for Knee Replacement Surgery
Not rated yet
I'd like to know what the best type of exercise would be best to strengthen my knee.
I have a Pilates Reformer machine.
I will have knee replacement ...
Pilates for Cerebral Palsy
Not rated yet
I have Cerebral Palsy.
One thing I have trouble doing is pointing
the toes on my right foot.
I'm trying to decide if I should invest in a Pilates ...
Reformer Exercises and Scoliosis
Not rated yet
Hi,
I am wondering which Pilates Reformer exercises to omit and which to focus on for Scoliosis.
Thank you!
----------------------------------
Definitely ...
Hip and Lower Back Pain.
Not rated yet
I am lifting crates in the dairy dept all day - or the most part of it.
After three weeks my lower back from the hip up the spine on the left side ...
Tight Pelvis
Not rated yet
Which Pilates exercises can I do to stretch the pelvic floor muscles?
I have a very tight pelvis and would like to do exercises to try to open it up ...
L3 L4 Spinal Fusion with L5 Compromised
Not rated yet
L3 and L4 have been fused 1 yr ago.
I started Pilates in May a year after my fusion.
My instructor is wonderful but I am not sure if there are ...
Pilates for Men
Not rated yet
Hi, As we are all diffrent, I would like to do Pilates exercises specifically to help me as a man.
Area's I would like to target:
- Core strength ...
Pilates Exercises for Osteoporosis
Not rated yet
I am age 75 and have osteoporosis in my right hip and spine. I am in good health otherwise and in good physical condition.
I have been exercising on ...
Pilates as an alternate for body weight training
Not rated yet
Just wondering...I have known about Pilates for a long time.
I come from a fitness background. I am really frustrated with resistance training.
My ...
Pilates Reformer for Spinal Fusion?
Not rated yet
What Pilates Reformer exercises should not be performed and what should be performed with a client that had L4 and L5 fused?
--------------------------------------------------
This ...
Walking Straight Again
Not rated yet
I am a 20 year old who was born with a dislocated hip, which left me with a bad hip and 7 inch shortness in my left leg.
I have just had a total hip ...
Curious about Pilates Chair
Not rated yet
I'm a newbie to Pilates. I've never heard of a Pilates Chair.
I could really use some more information, maybe what constitutes a reasonable size range,...
Doing Pilates with Multiple Bulging Discs
Not rated yet
Hi there.:) I had wrote you asking about doing pilates with multiple bulging discs.
I got your Dvd and did the first part. I have tried a stretching ...
Pilates Exercises for Hip Bursitis
Not rated yet
Pilates exercises can help hip bursitis.
Pilates For Osteoporosis In Spine
Not rated yet
What exercise can I do to strengthen my spine when I have osteoporosis of the spine and also arthritis in the spine?
--------------------------------------------------
I ...
Doing Pilates Exercise for Curing Bracket Knee.
Not rated yet
Hi,
I am a 30 years old girl, I am suffering from having bracket knees due to bad appearance.
Would you please advise if Pilates exercises might ...
Hip Replacement Exercises on the Reformer
Not rated yet
What exercises on the Reformer would help me prior to having a hip replacement?
I would like to exercise but I do not want to damage my hip joint or ...
Can't hold my legs in the air in Pilates class
Not rated yet
I've recently joined a Pilates class and have been finding your site very helpful.
I've been having a problem with a few of the exercises and I'm hoping ...
Pilates DVD for Back and Hip Pain
Not rated yet
Beginner Pilates DVD can help with back and hip pain and stretch tight hamstrings.
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 Diane and thanks ...
Pilates 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 ...
Torn Labrum in 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 am ...
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 ...
Painful SI Joints when I do Core Strenghtening Exercises
Not rated yet
I suffered from a severe sacrioiliac joint sprain six months ago after changing my horse saddle to a broader one which also set me in a different position ...
Spinal Fusion and Coccyxgectomy
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 ...
Pilates Reformer for SI Joint Stabilization





Pilates Reformer offers some great exercises for SI Joint Stabilization
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'...