Pilates is a powerful mind-body exercise that’s been around for almost 100 years. And with its long history, it’s easy to make assumptions about the type of people you’ll find taking a class. But if you’re a knowledge worker, sitting for hours a day writing code or creating content, you should strongly consider becoming one of them.
And, just as 76 percent of the tech industry is made up of men in Silicon Valley, very few of them realize that Pilates can help solve their issues with sciatica, low back pain, knee pain, body mis-alignment, tech neck, and tight hips.
This article is about how all knowledge workers, spending 5-12 hours a day sitting at a desk and looking at screens, can experience the problems listed above. But statistically speaking, the majority of the people suffering from these problems in the tech industry are male. Not considering pilates to alleviate these crippling issues is a big mistake.
Pilates is an efficient, whole-body exercise method that tackles the problem, not just the symptoms. But it also builds overall body strength, lowers stress, and can fortify any other modes of exercise you engage in.
Pilates is a smart move for people in pain (and there are studies to prove it)
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, low back pain is the most common cause of job-related disability in the U.S. And along with back pain, there’s the experience of tech neck, of which 1 of 10 people suffer due to poor posture, often brought on by 1. Sitting too long in front of laptops and other tech in unfavorable positions or 2. looking down on cell phones for extended periods of time, throughout the day. Most people habitually do both.
Peer-reviewed research supports what the creator of the method, Joseph Pilates (a professional boxer at one time) first postulated in the 1920s: Pilates is not only great for sculpting a strong, lean body, but also effective in preventing and treating low back pain.
Cases in Point
The following cases are republished courtesy of the Inner IDEA.
In a randomized, controlled study published in the Journal of Orthopedic Sports Physical Therapy, participants who practiced Pilates over a four-week period experienced more relief from their symptoms than those treated via typical programs.
Another study from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, decided to test whether Pilates exercises were effective in improving the condition of patients.
The investigators randomly assigned 39 active adults ages 20–55 with chronic low back pain to either a Pilates training group or a control group. The experimental group exercised on Pilates equipment, while the control group received the usual care provided to individuals seeking medical help for low back pain. (“Usual care” included consulting with a physician and other healthcare professionals and specialists.)
Post-testing revealed that the Pilates participants had significantly lower levels of functional disability and pain intensity than the control subjects. And a year later, the Pilates participants had maintained their physical improvements.
Take a step towards relief TODAY
If you don’t live in the Bay Area, but would like to work with a teacher or find a class, search for a certified pilates teacher here.
In the San Francisco Bay Area? Whether you’re suffering from pain brought on by repetitive use, would like to counteract imbalances in your body, or would simply like to up your game for sports and general fitness, I can help. I offer personalized pilates instruction, and am also a licensed Redcord practitioner. Check us out right here: RebalancedSF