Low-impact exercise such as Pilates have been shown to improve symptoms of and restore muscle strength in people with fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Pilates can be considered a non-invasive method of pain management/intervention, and complements a holistic treatment plan.

Pilates is an effective yet gentle method off postural conditioning or rehabilitation for a client with FMS or CFS. Primarily, pilates is a low impact form of exercise that focuses not only on core strength and stability, but the use of breathing and breath work to facilitate mobility and core stabilitztion. Breathing oxygenates blood, increases circulation to all regions of the body and aids in stress reduction and pain managment. Pilates also aids in improving flexibility, muscular strength and endurance, proper load joint function and proprioreception/body awareness.

All of those factors make Pilates a good type of exercise for people with fibromyalgia (FMS) or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The National Fibromyalgia Association highly recommends Pilates as an ideal exercise individuals diagnosed with or exhibiting symptoms of FMS or CFS. For more information, please visit: http://www.fmaware.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5321

If you have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia (FMS) or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and are contemplating pilates instruction as a method of alternative healing, it is essential to look for a Pilates instructor certified in Injuries and Special populations who also has experience helping people with chronic pain.

As an Injuries and Special Populations certified pilates instructor with many years of working with students in chronic pain, it is my experience and opinion, students with FMS and CFS experience a greater degree of success working one-on-one in a private setting with a specialized pilates instructor than in a group fitness setting. Private instruction will allow for pain management, equipment and exercise modification, and a pace that suits your unique needs. Once you know how to modify movement patterns it is much easier to move into the fitness pilates setting with larger groups. Private instruction empowers you to move forward when the timing is right.

Participating in Pilates with an certified instructor specializing in injuries and special populations will help a student with FMS/CFS identify and accommodate physical limitations due to trigger point/point specific pain symptoms. By educating the student on three-dimensional breathing, strengthening the torso muscles, and gnetly stretching tight yet weak muscles, your instructor will help you work on the postural muscles that are essential to supporting the spine and improving awareness of torso function. As a result, mind-body awareness awakens, pain is reduced, mobility and strength increases and general mood and energy levels also improve.

If you have any further questions, please contact me at your convenience.

Peace and health,

Deb Preachuk
www.pilatesintegration.com
www.painfreeposturemn.com