Fall into Balance: Transform Your Routines with Clinical Pilates!

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September marks the shift from summer to fall. Coinciding with the seasonal change is a tendency to ‘fall’ back into the more regular routines of school, work, sport and exercise.

Come October these new routines tend to be settling into place.

Whether it is the return to the familiar or commencement of the new, it is not uncommon for some aches and pains to accompany these now regular activities.

All activities consist of ‘patterns’ of repetitive postures and movements. The significance on how these influence our complaints often go unnoticed until they impact us negatively. Even then it may not be obvious.

Many of our repetitive postural and movement patterns tend to overload certain areas of the body while at the same time underutilize other regions. This naturally leads to something called an imbalance of function which often plays a significant role in both our inactive and active lifestyle-related complaints.

Correcting these faulty patterns can reduce the risk of chronic overuse type injuries, as well as reduce the risk of acute ones.

This is where Clinical Pilates can be very beneficial. The emphasis on the quality of movement versus the amount of resistance or load is ideal to re-train or reinforce desired patterns.

Some benefits of addressing imbalances and improving our patterns include:

  • improvement of pain/ discomfort
  • injury prevention
  • enhanced performance

We are all humans doing modern human things on a daily basis, many of which include combined bodily movements requiring various direction, speed and control. As a result of ongoing repetition, our body continues to repeat these same movements, thus leading to patterns of imbalance with associated bodily correction (compensation).

But we are also all unique individuals with different presentations and needs. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to any type of physical training or rehabilitation, including Clinical Pilates.

An assessment with a Clinical Pilates Physiotherapist can help identify and guide your specific needs, which is especially important if you are managing any discomfort or injury. Some areas they can help you with include:

1. Postural/Movement Analysis

A Clinical Pilates therapist can analyze your lower body mechanics using the reformer to identify issues like overactive hip flexors or weak glutes contributing to knee pain. Targeted Pilates exercises on and off the reformer can strengthen these areas and improve alignment for better function.

2. Exercise/Training Strategies

For runners dealing with knee pain, a Clinical Pilates therapist can evaluate running mechanics on the reformer to identify contributing factors. Specific Pilates exercises can be integrated to strengthen supporting muscles and enhance running performance.

3. Ergonomics/Workstation Set-Up

If you’re experiencing neck and back discomfort from prolonged computer use, a Clinical Pilates therapist can assess your posture and recommend adjustments to your workstation. Utilizing the reformer, they can prescribe Pilates exercises that strengthen postural muscles and improve overall alignment, reducing strain.

In summary, creating positive changes to our day-to-day routines are beneficial. As our ability to move becomes more natural and free of any restrictions and any faulty compensatory patterns, the better we continue to live a pain-free life while engaging in all our daily activities.

Written by Jonathan Poon

Dance Pain-Free: Physiotherapy Tips to Conquer Snapping Hip Syndrome

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What is Dance Physiotherapy?

Dance Physiotherapy combines manual therapy & clinical pilates techniques to help artistic athletes – dancers, gymnasts, skaters (and more!) reach their goals. Dance physio is ideal for artistic athletes of any level who are recovering from injury, preparing for pointe work, looking to prevent injury, improve mobility or overall performance.

Dance physiotherapy can help with a variety of conditions including:

  • Knee injuries – for example jumper’s knee & bursitis
  • Back injuries – including spondylolisthesis
  • Foot injuries – for example plantar fasciitis, bunions and achilles tendinopathy
  • Hip pain & injuries – including snapping hip syndrome
  • Chronic or acute ankle sprains
  • Overuse injuries
  • Joint Hypermobility

In this blog post we will be discussing snapping hip syndrome which unfortunately, is very common in dancers, particularly when extending the leg or coming into a grand battement.

What is the snapping or clicking sound? One of the most common sounds is a deep “clunk” when extending the leg. The most likely cause of this is spinal instability and/or over-recruitment and chronic thickening of your psoas muscle (your hip flexor) 

How do I get rid of the noise/ snapping sensation? By working on mobility, stability and then gradually loading the hip. Below are some great exercises to start with!

1. Aikido or “Frog” Mobilization

Come into Aikido or frog stretch position – knees wide on the mat, bottoms of the feet together, arms or forearms resting on the mat. 

Rest in this position for 10-15 seconds, allowing for a gentle stretch in the inner thighs and opening of the front of the hip. 

From here, bring your pelvis into a forward tilt (think about rotating the top of your hip bones towards the mat), and hold for a further 10-15 seconds. Engage your deep core in this position to get an even deeper stretch through the front of the hip! 

Alternate between these positions 4-5 times.

Note: There should not be any discomfort or pain in the hips during this mobilization. If you are feeling any pinching or discomfort decrease how far apart your knees are or consult your physiotherapist before continuing. 

One of the common contributors to snapping hip syndrome is when the outer, or lateral glute muscles have increased tension in them – this can occur when glute med grips to maintain turnout in standing – rather than the deep external rotators. 

 

  2. External Rotation in Table Top

Equipment needed: pillow or small ball 

Lie on the mat, back flat and deep core engaged. Slowly bring both legs up to tabletop position (knees bent at 90 degrees) with the small pillow or ball between your thighs. 

Maintaining inner thigh activation by squeezing the pillow or ball, slowly extend one knee in parallel. Then, from the deep hip socket, externally rotate your extended leg (coming into turn-out). Hold for 2-3 seconds and then come back to parallel and then back to your tabletop position. Continue to maintain the squeeze of the pillow/ball during this entire process. 

Repeat this up to 10 times on each side.

Tip: to ensure the core & deep external rotators are working, check that hip flexors are relaxed throughout this entire exercise.

 

3. Plié Variation targeting deep external rotators

Begin standing tall, in first position. Start with a demi plié and then, maintaining your turn-out (external rotation), slide one leg along the floor (in fondu – one side continues to be in plié, the other knee extends). The foot on the extended leg should come onto the ground. Then, while maintaining your weight over your standing leg (in plié), bend your extended leg while you slide it back to first position. 

During this movement you should be able to feel your inner thighs (extended leg) and deep external rotators (standing leg).

Tip: Place one hand over the outer glutes on your standing leg – these muscles shouldn’t be gripping or over-activating as the turnout should be coming from your deep external rotators.

Note: This exercise can be completed in centre or standing at the bar (or at a counter at home!)

 

Thanks for reading! Consult your physiotherapist if you experience pain or are interested in a personalized targeted program to address your specific goals!

 

Written by Talia Berson (Physiotherapist, Clinic Pilates Instructor).

 

Is Back Pain Holding You Back? Discover a Path to Recovery and Strength through Clinical Pilates

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Back to School Blueprint: Prioritizing Sweat, Step, Sleep, and Sit for Well-being

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Back to School Blueprint: Prioritizing Sweat, Step, Sleep, and Sit for Well-being

Are your children ready for class and all their extra-curricular activities coming September? The Canadian Guidelines for Physical Activity have provided a few recommendations to help encourage youth to live a healthy lifestyle.

1. Sweat:

An accumulation of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity involving various aerobic activities. Vigorous physical activities and muscle and bone strengthening activities should be incorporated at least thrice weekly.

2. Step:

Several hours of a variety of structured and unstructured light physical activity

3. Sleep

Uninterrupted 9-11 hours of sleep per night for those aged 5-13 and 8-10 years hours per night for those aged 14-17 years with consistent bed and wake-up times.

4. Sit:

 No more than 2 hours per day of recreational screen time; limited sitting for extended periods

Returning to Sports?

If your children are returning to a specific sport or activity this fall, consider the following tips to avoid injury. A common cause of muscle injury is overload – doing too much too soon. Muscle strains occur when the tissue exceeds its loading capacity. Here are a few tips to help manage the risk of injury: Arrive 15-20 minutes before practice to ensure adequate warm-up before activity. 

  1. Sport-specific training (i.e. a warm-up for a baseball player should incorporate sprint training in addition to catching/throwing drills) 
  2. Gradual increase in training load, otherwise known as volume (try to increase one of the following variables at a time: frequency, intensity, duration) 
  3. Get yourself back to baseline (this includes a low-intensity activity to help you lower your heart rate, hydration, refuelling & rest) 

 

Conclusion

Physiotherapists can assist with injury prevention, sport-specific training and recovery from injury. If you have more questions, contact one of our experts at Treloar Physiotherapy! 

 

By Jamie Mistry (Registered Physiotherapist, Treloar Physiotherapy Kerrisdale)

Just Keep Swimming – Six Reasons Swimming is Fantastic for Your Health

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Just Keep Swimming – Six Reasons Swimming is Fantastic for Your Health

Amidst these scorching summer days here in BC, there’s nothing like a refreshing swim, but swimming has many health benefits besides being a fantastic way to cool off.

One significant aspect of water-based exercises is the hydrostatic effect of water, which has fantastic therapeutic benefits. The pressure can alleviate pain by reducing swelling and calming our sympathetic nervous system. As a result, pool-based exercises and swimming can benefit those in post-recovery (like ankle sprains, knee replacements, etc.) and facilitate a faster recovery.

But the benefits don’t stop there! Other great aspects include:

1. Low-impact exercise:

Unlike many other forms of exercise, swimming is low-impact, which puts less stress on joints. Being low-impact makes swimming an ideal activity for people of all ages, including those with joint pain/sprains, arthritis, or other mobility concerns.

2. Flexibility and balance:

Swimming enhances stability and coordination and helps those who fear falling to practice safe balance drills in waist-height water. It also improves joint flexibility through various strokes and positions.

3. Improved posture:

Swimming helps strengthen the muscles that support the spine, leading to better posture and reduced risk of developing back problems or aches.

4. Cardiovascular health:

Swimming elevates the heart rate, improves blood circulation, and reduces the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.

5. Full-body workout:

Swimming engages multiple muscle groups simultaneously, providing comprehensive exercise for the entire body. It strengthens the arms, shoulders, back, core, and legs, improving muscle tone and overall strength.

6. Weight management:

Swimming is a calorie-burning activity that can aid in weight management and loss. It helps burn many calories while providing a fun and refreshing workout.

Conclusion

Before taking a dip or starting any exercise program (like hydrotherapy/pool-based rehab), consult your doctor and physiotherapist, especially if you have any underlying health concerns. Stay safe, and just keep swimming!

Physiotherapist Ania Stojek wrote this article.