Women’s Health and Body In Balance Pilates
Learn more about how Pilates can help with women’s health. Get in touch with our Pilates studio today, in Hounslow, West London, for more details.
Menstrual Pain
Pilates is an invaluable tool for dealing with the various issues that young girls and then women face throughout their lives. Starting from girls suffering from menstrual pain to the more severe pain of endometritis. Pilates will not “cure” these issues, but there are clinical versions of some of the exercises which will alleviate the pain and address pelvic floor issues as well as sacroiliac joint pain and pubic symphysis dysfunction which often accompanies period pain.
Pregnancy
Pilates exercises effectively help the body cope with the challenges it faces as it grows and changes shape. Back pain and sciatica are often experienced during pregnancy as well as neck and shoulder pain. Fatigue is another very real issue that is often faced and the Pilates repertoire of exercises will help alleviate many of these symptoms without being too demanding when the client is feeling depleted of energy. There are three stages of pregnancy described as “trimesters”. The focus during each trimester will differ.
Each pregnancy is different so there is no prescription of “one size fits all” when it comes to the movements you will be guided through. We will work together to try and keep your pelvic floor in good working order, as well as helping you to strengthen and release it in preparation for a vaginal delivery. I will guide you through each stage of your pregnancy and prepare you for as comfortable a delivery as possible.
postPARTUM
In the UK, you will have a six-week NHS post-natal check. This will vary depending on the type of delivery you went through. Some women will have to recover from a vaginal delivery, some recover from a Caesarean. There is a possibility of having to recover from both of these deliveries at the same time. This may be in the case of a prolonged delivery or multiple births. I have come across this situation on a few occasions.
You will be able to resume your Pilates sessions once you have been through your postpartum check and have been given permission by your doctor to exercise.
The postpartum Pilates repertoire includes clinical Pilates exercises to address Pelvic Floor issues (including any possible prolapse) and reconnect with your abdominal muscles and addressing diastasis recti.
Pink Ribbon Program
The Pink Ribbon Program was developed by American breast cancer survivor Doreen Puglisi, and is described as “a post-operative, Pilates-based, recovery program, developed by a survivor for survivors to help regain mobility and improve posture.”
Exercises focus on shoulder mobility to strengthen the upper limb, reduce pain as well as restore function. I use much of the material I learned from the Pink Ribbon Program, but I do not limit the work to this program. I include the repertoire I have developed myself over the years. Please note that this programme is suited to both women and men who have gone through breast cancer.
Pilates and Menopause
Here at Body In Balance Pilates, I will ensure you are challenged as required and guided gently to keep moving and maintain a healthy body before, during, and after menopause. You do not have to lose your muscle strength and bone density. Both can be restored with an intelligent Pilates programme. Pilates is the exercise of choice to increase strength and flexibility and maintain healthy bones.
Perimenopause
Perimenopause means “around menopause”. It starts a few years before a woman’s last period. Some women will start to have perimenopause symptoms in the early to mid-thirties while others will not have any signs until their late forties or even early fifties.
Menopause
Menopause is the time of life when hormones start to fluctuate and periods may become irregular in their occurrence, how long they last and the quantity of blood loss. Some lucky people have little to no symptoms but for others, it can be a very uncomfortable time in their lives with psychological and physical implications.
This irregularity will continue until the woman has her last period. Up to a year after you think you have had your last period, you may still experience more bleeding. It is also a time to be extra vigilant in regarding birth control.
Post-Menopause and Beyond
Post-menopause is usually considered from a year after your last period. With the decline in oestrogen, there will be muscle atrophy and a reduction in bone destiny. Pilates exercises are low-impact, but they create enough tension or stress on the joints to help increase bone density and restore atrophied muscles.