HEALTH & SAFETY PILATES HAS YOUR BACK Hi I’m Natalie Tabony, I’ve worked in fitness for the past 19 years and because of my journey back to health I have never been more passionate about what I do. As a Pilates instructor the most common complaint I hear from my clients is:
‘I have pain in my lower back’ Often when I ask for more detail they will report:
‘it’s been like this for years’ This saddens me. It’s incredibly tough to live with chronic back pain, I speak from my own experience of having Cauda Equina Syndrome so I empathise emphatically. I could write a book on the subject (and perhaps I might) but for now here are a few things that helped me go from learning to walk again to teaching to personal training that may help anyone struggling with pain. 1.
Pharmacy – I believe in an holistic approach to health and personally wouldn’t be without the supplements I use and recommend, however, this does not mean you have to negate medicine. Pharmacists are incredibly well trained, they would always be my first port of call for pain management. Even if you have been on pain medications for a long time it is worth talking to them independently.
2.
Staying active – this may seem counterintuitive but the body is designed to keep on moving so even if you can only manage a little, some is always better than none. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise and in North Greenford we have some beautiful walks.
3.
Water exercise – being in the water when you are in pain is transformative; it takes the pressure off the joints and it is likely you will feel far more mobile.
4.
Ice pack/heat packs – the ice pack works in a similar way to an anti inflammatory and can be very beneficial. Equally heat packs are also valuable as they can ease muscular tension and spasm. 26
