Pilates with 2 Lumbar ADR, SI joint and cervical issues

[Rob Wilson]

I thought I give Pilates a try to strengthen my body from so many ortho issues including but not limited to 2 Lumbar ADR, SI joint, cervical issues, knee, shoulder, etc. We tried to go easy but ..... Well it did strengthen me but I ended exacerbating many of my issues. Especially my neck (pain down arm C5/6) and knee (2 microfractures and scar tissue cleanouts). I had to quit. Sometimes you have to know your limitations and be content with what we can you.

[sahuaro]

Ouch! Sorry you exacerbated your pain. My trainer has not allowed me to do pilates because of the possible strain it would put on my neck, but I do other exercises in the gym to build strength.

[danzintommy]

Before I had this bout of major back pain (which is why I'm about to have surgery) I turned to pilates. It seemed to "cure" any back problems I had. Sadly I didnt keep it up so in June I "stuffed up" my back big time (to use Aussie slang).
After my surgery in Dec I hope to go back to pilates as a way to speed recovery. I went to a private pilates instructor who even way back when, modified the exercises for me. So don't discard pilates en masse. Maybe what you need is a different/more skilled (?) instructor.
I once rowed at World Championship level (many many many years ago!!) and i wish I knew as much about "core strength" then as now. Strengthening the deep abdominals physiologically is still one of the best things you can do for your back. The important thing is to do the "right" exercises. And one thing with pilates - the exercise should never hurt. If it does dont do that one. (By the way- muscles hurting is OK. I'll admit that sometimes it's hard to know what's muscle and what's not. My "rule of thumb" was that if it only hurts after 4-5 reps then it's muscles and you NEED to do more!!