Ask the Doctor

Have you had a burning question about Pilates? Here's your chance to get an answer from Power Pilates' Dr. Sichel. If you're concerned about your exercises or an injury, we will help you get the most out of your workout. If you simply have a general question, we will try to answer it. Ask away!

Pilates effect on a degenerating spine

Q: What is degenerative disc disease?
A: Degenerative disc disease of the spine is the accelerated thinning and drying up of the intervertebral discs of the spine. Creating stiffness. Inflexibility, inflammation of the joints and reduced range of motion of the spine. It will also result in significant tightness of the musculature of the affected areas and straining of the associated ligaments of the surrounding joints.

Q:What causes the accelerated thinning of the discs?
A:All of this can be attributed to years of micro traumas, poor posture, accidents, poor nutrition, emotional stress and poor conditioning which has caused postural deviations in the spine and pelvis.

Q:
A: The majorities of people suffer for years with an underlying pain and stiffness and then begin to receive treatment as the condition flares up.

What is interesting is that the complaints many times don’t match where the condition stems from.

There could be a significant disc issues in the lower back but the person suffers for years with cervical and thoracic issues. This is due to our wonderful body’s ability to compensate for these stresses. As the condition flares up, people will visit their physician who will treat them with anti inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxers to see if this will ease them out of their acute phase. If it doesn’t, they will be referred to an orthopedist and then to a physical therapist.

Q: How do you diagnosis a spinal injury?
A:X-ray MRI, or CT scan of the affected area can be used to determine the extent of the injury and a diagnosis. The Physical Therapist will be able through their modalities to return the patient to a non-acute phase but not yet corrected.

Q: Are there any alternatives?
A:A chiropractor can determine what the injury/condition is through physical examination and x-ray, MRI or CT scan.

Q: How does a chiropractor treat a spinal injury?
A:The chiropractor will begin manipulative therapy and modalities of physical therapy in order to treat the condition. As a result of this therapy, patient’s conditions ease quickly and allow them to return to normal activities. Yet again the cause is not dealt with or corrected.

Q: Is there a therapy that allows the client/patient to stabilize their own weaknesses and reduce the need for further care and risk of re exacerbations?
A:The only therapy that is successful involves the patient in his or her own care. In Power Pilates we call it giving clients their connection to their core to insure a long-term correction of their weakness/condition.

Q: Is there a long-term correction to these weaknesses?
A:The best way to counter the effects of these traumas is through classical pilates brilliantly simple progression of movements taught in a systematic manner used to strengthen the core.

Core stabilization of the pelvis in a systematic, integrative approach through a movement based exercise formula that stabilizes, strengthens, and stretches.

Power Pilates instructors provide there clients, a connection to their powerhouse that offers them a long-term correction of their weaknesses. It restores vitality and gives people their life back.

It opens up the intervertebral spaces in the spine providing nourishment to the disc which it needs since it doesn’t get it's own blood supply. It gets nourishment from movement, rotation etc. Core strength means an equal balance anteriorally, posteriorally. Of the associated musculature.

Get off the merry go round of chronic pain and start healing. Power Pilates offers this.

Q: If I have a chronic back issue with some herniations, when can I begin to work out?
A:We recommend that clients shouldn’t be in an acute phase of their condition. There shouldn’t be any radiating pain in the extremities. Once this acute phase has quieted down then you can begin the Pilates regiment. If you are in question as to whether you should start or not, ask your Physician.

Q: If an MRI shows herniations in my spine, how concerned should I be?
A:Herniations of the spine are commonplace these days. This is as a result of our lifestyle, activities and improper fitness and health. We were not made to be inactive or improperly balanced. We were designed to be physical, stable and strong. Movement is the only solution to these weaknesses.

Q: Is all Pilates the same?
A:Unfortunately this isn’t the case. There are all different variations of what Pilates means. Many teachers have changed the essence of what classical Pilates was designed to be by over cueing, over treating and over stretching apparent weaknesses. We believe in the classical approach to Pilates which is designed to restore: Stability- foundation to move from and muscles to attach to uniformally.

Strengthen-muscles to do what they were designed to do in balance. Stretch- Release the tightnesses that have developed form imbalance and lack of stability. When imbalance is allowed to remain in our skeleton ligaments begin to stretch beyond their limits resulting in muscles tightening as a result. Look for classical Pilates where instructors know how to move their clients through the systems and also when to progress or pull back.