Is Joint Pain Affecting Your Daily Activities?
We all hear that Pilates is great for your joints, especially as we age. But how? What is a joint? Why are healthy joints so important for our well-being?
If you’ve ever experienced any shoulder or hip pain, it’s more than likely related to the joint or the ligaments/tendons around the joint. Healthy joints enable us to move our bodies freely to perform the simplest daily activities. For example, we use our joints with every single movement from typing a text to taking a shower.
The biggest misconception is that if you have joint pain, you should steer away from any form of exercise otherwise the joint injury will become more aggravated and won’t heal. But this isn’t the case (in most situations).
What is a Joint?
A joint is the part of the body where two or more bones meet to allow movement. Joints are held together and supported by tough bands of connective tissue called ligaments. Smooth cartilage prevents friction as the bones move against one another. In freely movable joints, the entire joint is enclosed inside a membrane filled with lubricating synovial fluid, which helps to provide extra cushioning against impact.
While exercising, the synovial fluid (fluid that lines the joint space) is excreted within the joint to allow the joint to move more freely.
What are the Causes of Joint Pain?
There are many causes of joint pain. Wear and tear and old age are the most common reasons. However, athletes can suffer from joint pain because of strenuous training and overuse. Arthritis can certainly cause joint pain. Joints can also be placed under extra pressure from obesity, chronic illnesses or autoimmune issues.
How Does Pilates Ease Joint Pain?
Pilates uses slower and more controlled movements paired with resistance to provides a safe environment for strengthening the muscles surrounding joints. This is why Pilates is often recommended to people recovering from hip replacements to re-strengthen the hip muscles to support their new hip.
Pilates is also a gentle way to move synovial fluid around the joint. For example, if you were to go for a run after sitting for a while, the fluid in the joint may not be moving as freely, whereas if you were to perform a few pilates exercises targeting the main joints (shoulder, hip and knee) before the run, these joints would have a better chance to be properly lubricated, therefore, better protected from the impact of a run.
Pilates is such a practical and gentle way to support joint health. It’s one of the only forms of exercise that can be practiced every day without placing the body under excessive stress like other higher impact movements.
So, the next time you experience some joint pain, don’t sit on the couch and hope it goes away!