Pilates is a low-impact exercise method designed to improve strength, flexibility, posture, and mental awareness, and is particularly effective in treating chronic low back pain. Developed by Joseph H. Pilates in the 1920s, it emphasizes core stability and muscle control through various exercises performed on mats or specialized equipment. Studies have shown that Pilates significantly reduces pain and improves function and quality of life in individuals with low back pain compared to those who do not exercise.

1. PILATES
PRATIGYA DEUJA

2.  Pilates is designed to improve physical
strength, flexibility, posture & enhance mental
awareness.
 It consists of low-impact flexibility and
muscular strength and endurance movements.
 The Pilates method of exercise is among the
array of exercises available in physical therapy
practice for treatment for people with chronic
low back pain.

3.  This method was first originated by German
born Joseph H. Pilates in 1920s to encourage
physical and mental conditioning.
 In 1990s it became popular in the
rehabilitation field.
 The first book of Pilates exercises was
published in 1945, ‘Return to Life Through
Contrology’ which included H. Pilates 34
original matwork exercises.

4.  Pilates is a therapeutic approach that focuses
on addressing the structural imbalances that
can result in low back pain and it focuses on
core stability, posture, breathing, flexibility,
strength and muscle control.
 This method of exercise increases deep
abdominal muscle which decreases the
compression and stress on joints in the back.

5.  Pilates include exercises that focus on trunk
flexion, trunk extension, abdominal and back
strengthening and motor control or
stabilization.
 Mainly Pilates exercises are performed on 2
apparatus: (MAT based & equipment based)

6. 1. Mat based Pilates:
 Performed in mat.
 It is undertaken in standing, supine, prone or
side lying and use movement of the limbs to
vary torque on trunk muscles.
 Particular emphasis is placed on posture
control and strengthening of the trunk and
back muscles.

7. 2. Equipment based Pilates:
 The use of specialized Pilates exercise equipment
with spring resistance such as a Reformer, has also
been recommended for people with chronic low
back pain.
 It is safe, low impact, deep muscle conditioning
method that strengthens, stretches and balances
the entire body. Examples: spring resistant,
barrels, Cadillac, universal reformer, wunda chair,
electric chair, combo chair, magic circle ,foam
rolls, swivel disc.

8. This method is based on 8 fundamental
principles:
 1.Concentration
 2.Control
 3.Centering
 4.Flowing movement
 5. Precision
 6. Breathing
 7.Strength
 8.Relaxation

10. 1) MAT BASED PILATES:
BENT KNEE
FALLOUT

11. MAT BASED PILATES --CLAMS

12. MAT BASED PILATES -- BRIDGING

13.  MAT BASED PILATES– UNILATERAL BRIDGING

14.  MAT BASED PILATES—SINGLE KNEE TO CHEST

15. MAT BASED PILATES– SUPINE KICK

16.  MAT BASED PILATES– CHILD’S POSE

17. MAT BASED PILATES--MAGIC CIRCLE SQUEEZE

18.  MAT BASED PILATES– SIDE PLANK

19.  MAT BASED PILATES– HAMSTRING STRETCH

20. MAT BASED PILATES—THE HUNDERD

21.  MAT BASED PILATES—SINGLE LEG CIRCLE

22. 2) EQUIPMENT BASED PILATES
It includes:
a) Reformer: foot series (2A), hamstring series
(2C), pelvis lift (2D), stomach massage (2E),
quadruped (2F), standing series (2G)
b) Cadillac: sit up (2H), side kick series (2I),
monkey (2J), cat/ push down (2K), spine
stretch(2L)

24. 1) Jamil et al identified 60 patients with nonspecific
low back pain and divided them into two group.
One experimental group performed Pilates
method with use of NSAIDS which lasted 50
minutes and followed a pre-established Pilates
protocol and did the exercises twice a week for a
total of 90 days and another control group was
assigned no exercise. They concluded that
Pilates method was effective in improving pain,
function and quality of life in low back pain as
compared to no exercise control group.

25. 2) Saravanan et al. done a single blinded RCT,
took 30 physically active subjects between
(20 and 65 years) old with chronic low back
pain and were randomly assigned to 2
groups. McKenzie exercise group received
McKenzie exercises for 6 weeks based on the
assessment while the mat based Pilates
exercise group received Pilates exercise for
the same 6 weeks duration. After
intervention, they concluded that Pilates
decreases pain, disability than McKenzie.

26.  3) U. Albert et al. they randomly assigned 30
students in 2 groups i.e. in Modified Pilates
exercise(n=15) and Therapeutic
exercises(n=15). Both group performed
respective exercise for 45 minutes and prior to
exercise they performed general flexibility
exercise for 15 minutes. They performed
exercise for 8 weeks. After exercises, they
concluded that modified specific Pilates based
exercises help in reducing the pain, improve
the back specific function, improve general
health, personal care, social life and flexibility.