Pilates for Back Pain

So many of us suffer every day with back pain. The nagging ache and discomfort can hold us back from the things we love to do. And we'd all like to think there's a quick way to cure our back pain, once and for all. That's why so many people in our community are signing up for back surgery.

Dr. Nelson Hopkins says, ?I personally have been bothered by the fact that there's too much spine surgery going on in Western New York. And there are lots of people going to their doctors and seeking a magic cure for their back pain."

Dr. Hopkins, a leading neurosurgeon in the Buffalo area, says back surgery is not always the answer.

"You're not going to get a cure all by having somebody carve up your back and put metal in it."

Instead, he's been amazed by the results he's seen in patients who've tried pilates. At Northstar Pilates, patients are finally finding relief from the aches and pains that have bothered them for years.

Wende Birtch, a back pain sufferer says, ?It's made me able to do whatever I can do. I'm back to playing tennis, I walk 2 miles a day, I'm a counselor - so I'm able to sit and talk to people, and lead a normal life."

Dr. Hopkins is working with the therapists at Northstar Pilates to track their results with back pain sufferers. They're findings are dramatic. Most patients report a significant decrease in pain, and an increase in motion and flexibility. Therapists say it's all because pilates teaches the body to move more efficiently.

Kristopher Bosch, co-owner of Northstar Pilates says, ?It gets that strength and stability to the deep muscles. It also works on the balance and flexibility of the spine and the joints of the extremities, as well."

Pilates is also being studied locally for its affect on chronic degenerative diseases like Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's and stroke