Complete Pilates & Fitness Blog

Do you know why your back hurts…and how to make it better?

It is important to understand that back pain is a symptom of a medical condition, not a diagnosis itself. Medical conditions that can cause back pain include the following:

Mechanical problems: Mechanical problems stem from the way your spine moves or the way you feel when you move your spine in certain ways. Perhaps the most common mechanical cause of back pain is when the discs, located between the vertebrae of your spine, break down with age and lose their cushioning ability. This can lead to pain when your back is stressed. Pain can also come from the wearing down of your facet joints, which are the large joints that connect each vertebrae to another, or from spasms, muscle tension, or ruptured (herniated) discs.

Injuries: Spinal injuries such as sprains and fractures can cause either short-lived or long-term back pain. Sprains are tears in the ligaments that support your spine, and they can occur from twisting or lifting improperly. Fractured vertebrae are often the result of osteoporosis, a condition that causes weak, porous bones. Pain can also be caused by more severe injuries due to accidents and falls.

Acquired conditions and diseases: Many medical conditions can cause or contribute to back pain. They include scoliosis, various forms of arthritis, osteoporosis and of course, pregnancy.

How do I relieve this pain?

First and foremost, understanding the source of your pain is the most important. Be sure to see a practitioner you know and trust. Once you have a diagnosis, there are many available treatments for most of the conditions above...and one of the most effective is Pilates!

Pilates is so effective with back pain relief because it focuses on improving all the key factors that lead to good back health. Pilates strengthens your core and balances your muscles, essentially allowing your body to be in proper alignment. Once you are in alignment, your posture improves, and your body can function as it is supposed to...eliminating that painful stress you were previously placing on sections of your back/spine. Pilates also works equally well for pregnancy, scoliosis, osteoporosis, and most back injuries.

If you want to be one of many who say "My back used to hurt all the time and now I don't feel it anymore!", be sure to try a Pilates class soon!

Come visit Complete Pilates & Fitness in Santa Clarita / Valencia CA today!

22800 Lyons Ave. #120

Santa Clarita, CA 91321