Jane Hamilton Pilates

Pilates for Restricted Movement

Max

When Max was first in touch he found the activities he enjoyed like climbing, cycling and going to the gym difficult feeling restricted movement around his joints particularly his hip. At times these activities would be painful due to fibromyalgia and hypermobility syndrome. Max wanted to get stronger so he could enjoy his activities without being concerned about feeling pain during and after the activity. I introduced Max to the Pilates breathing technique, centring and how to switch on his deep core muscles in the first 1:1 session. I explained it doesnʼt look like you are doing much but if you are activating the inner unit muscles (core muscles) in the correct sequence the benefit is tenfold, the result being a strong and stable back and pelvis.

Through attending weekly beginners Pilates classes and working with standing, sitting, supine, prone and side-lying positions, Max was able to build up strength in muscles and gain a fuller range of movement at his joints throughout his body. He mastered the Pilates moves very quickly and now is in the intermediate classes performing more advanced exercises very well and progressing with more repetitions than before.

Max using Pilates to reduce chronic pain from fibromyalgia and hypermobility syndrome.

Hereʼs what Max has to say about the classes…

When I first started the classes I was experiencing high levels of chronic pain from fibromyalgia and hypermobility syndrome and although I did exercise regularly I was surprised at how difficult I found the moves as they were using small muscles that I had never focused on before. I particularly had a lot of hip and lower back pain and found the hip moved the hardest.

As I progressed through the classes I became stronger and my pain has lessened to such a degree that I take less than a third of the amount of pain meds I used to. I have also become a much better climber, and my lower back pain is basically gone. More than any other exercise, I feel these classes have given me balance in my body and the ability to really feel the ways in which it is possible for my body to move and be strong.

Max added recently…

I just wanted to let you know that Iʼm once again able to do high foot/hip flexibility moves on the wall. I never thought I’d be capable of that again, but your classes have been such a game changer! Anyway here’s me climbing a V4 boulder problem.

Thanks for the video showing you working on a difficult climbing move Max. It’s clear to see the increased flexibility you have in your hip area now and that allows you to develop your climbing skills and enjoy your activities even more. Pilates is good for men, great for strength training where all the muscle groups (small and large) are used particularly in the back, hips and around the pelvis.