Pilates’ Surprising Origins & Proven Benefits

Pilates’ Surprising Origins & Proven Benefits

Pilates’ Surprising Origins & Proven Benefits

In a British internment facility during World War I, German inventor Joseph Pilates developed the Pilates method. He was largely working with a rehabilitation population (those with illnesses and injuries), boasting his participants would emerge stronger than they were before interment. Years later, through thousands of participants and many research studies, Pilates has been found to improve core strength and stability, flexibility, balance, posture, cognitive function and even quality of life.

Interestingly, multiple studies have been done regarding the use of pilates for those with chronic low back pain and the results have not been disappointing! Scientists have shown that pilates exercise therapy can help with both pain and function for those with chronic low back pain.

If youre ready to try a pilates program aimed at your back troubles, Sun City Physiotherapy can help! Our Physiotherapists will work with you one-on-one; and can use a variety of mat and reformer-based techniques aimed at getting you back to doing what you love!

Ready to try Pilates? Follow this exercise at home to get started:

Core Breathing

  1. Lie on the floor, mat, or bed with you knees bent and soles of your feet planted;
  2. Place your hands on the sides/fronts of your lower ribs and start to notice how they expand and contract when you breathe;
  3. Try taking a deep inhalation, feeling your ribs expand sideways (laterally) into your hands;
  4. As you exhale, think about feeling the contraction of your ribs and a tightening of your abdominals all the way down to your belly button area;
  5. Repeat 3 to 5 times – Well Done!

Sun City Physiotherapy Locations

Downtown

1468 St. Paul Street, Kelowna, BC
Phone: 250-861-8056
downtown@suncityphysiotherapy.com
more info

Glenmore

103-437 Glenmore Road, Kelowna, BC
Phone: 250-762-6313
glenmore@suncityphysiotherapy.com
more info

Lake Country

40-9522 Main St., Lake Country, BC
Phone: 250-766-2544
winfield@suncityphysiotherapy.com
more info

Lower Mission

3970 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna, BC
Phone: 778-699-2006
lowermission@suncityphysiotherapy.com
more info
Spotlight on Scoliosis

Spotlight on Scoliosis

Spotlight on Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a spinal deformity – famously known as a “sideways” curve of the spine. It is most often found during adolescence and affects about three in every hundred Canadians. 

As the spine curves it can cause changes in body morphology like unevenness in the hips, waist, and shoulders; a spot that “sticks out” on the ribs and/or back; and a shoulder blade that “pokes out”. Scoliosis patients may experience increasing symptoms as the condition progresses, such as pain, breathing difficulty, osteoarthritis, mental health problems, and decreased health-related quality of life.

Historically, scoliosis was managed by monitoring the curve and implementing bracing or surgery. However, in recent years, physiotherapeutic scoliosis specific exercises (known as PSSE) have made their way into the recommended standard of care for scoliosis patients. These exercises are largely aimed at preventing the progression of/reducing the spinal curve, and, for those who undergo surgery or bracing, optimizing the results. Studies have shown that PSSE are effective for decreasing pain, improving quality of life, increasing back muscle endurance and range of motion, and improving self-image.

Most people with scoliosis can lead a healthy, active life. But a better understanding of the condition can help you to better address your discomfort, and empower you to seek the best treatment possible. Schroth is one of the most widely studied and used forms of PSSE. it offered by Sun City Physiotherapy in Lake Country by International Schroth Scoliosis Therapist Tamara Oakley.

Sun City Physiotherapy Locations

Downtown

1468 St. Paul Street, Kelowna, BC
Phone: 250-861-8056
downtown@suncityphysiotherapy.com
more info

Glenmore

103-437 Glenmore Road, Kelowna, BC
Phone: 250-762-6313
glenmore@suncityphysiotherapy.com
more info

Lake Country

40-9522 Main St., Lake Country, BC
Phone: 250-766-2544
winfield@suncityphysiotherapy.com
more info

Lower Mission

3970 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna, BC
Phone: 778-699-2006
lowermission@suncityphysiotherapy.com
more info
Injury Magnet

Injury Magnet

Injury Magnet

 

Sun City Physiotherapy Locations

Downtown

1468 St. Paul Street, Kelowna, BC
Phone: 250-861-8056
downtown@suncityphysiotherapy.com
more info

Glenmore

103-437 Glenmore Road, Kelowna, BC
Phone: 250-762-6313
glenmore@suncityphysiotherapy.com
more info

Lake Country

40-9522 Main St., Lake Country, BC
Phone: 250-766-2544
winfield@suncityphysiotherapy.com
more info

Lower Mission

3970 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna, BC
Phone: 778-699-2006
lowermission@suncityphysiotherapy.com
more info