If you suffer from back pain, there's no need to keep on suffering or rely on medication.  There are some great natural therapies out there that can be of great help. One that is particularly beneficial is Pilates. Here's some great information.

Back pain can be caused by a number of things such as bad posture, poor lifting techniques, poor exercise or movement techniques, and injuries.  It is a common misconception that by not doing anything, you will not suffer from as much pain.  In fact, not moving the spine and back means that you are not keeping the muscles that support and protect the back toned and active, which means that you can actually experience more pain.  A precursor to back pain is actually weakness in the pelvic floor, back and abdominal muscles and Pilates can help to tone and strengthen these, reducing the pain that you experience.

Pilates is a form of exercise or therapy that aims to strengthen the core muscles.  The techniques and exercises that are used in Pilates are excellent for back pain as they help to strengthen the pelvic floor, which is responsible for strengthening and stabilising your spine.  It also helps to strengthen the abdominal muscles and it really improves your postural awareness.  By being more aware of how you move and how you lift things, you are less likely to reinjure your back.  Stronger core muscles also help you to hold the correct posture, even when you are not actively exercising.

Pilates promotes better flexibility which can be extremely helpful if your back pain is due to a muscle injury. It can also help to improve the blood flow to the muscle, which in turns helps to decrease the amount of pain that you are feeling.

Before beginning any form of exercise or treatment for your back pain, you should check with your GP or health professional.  If you are interested in using Pilates for your back pain, you should seek a fully qualified and experienced practitioner such as physiotherapist or specialist in clinical Pilates.  They will assess your general state of health and the cause of your back pain.  They will also be able to recommend the most suitable techniques and exercises for you and show you how to perform them safely. They will also be able to work around any limitations that your back pain or injuries may cause finding "relieving" positions and avoiding "aggravating" positions.

Find a pilates practitioner near you in the Natural Therapy Pages local directory.