Whether you’re an athlete or just someone who likes to stay active, injuries are unavoidable. And one of the primary causes of sports-related injuries is muscular imbalance. From improper body mechanics to poor posture, it can be caused by a variety of conditions. Even moving in a less than ideal manner can exert too much pressure on certain parts of the body, causing an imbalance.
Muscular Imbalance and the Role of Pilates
Muscular imbalance can leave a person at high risk of pain and injury, by making certain parts of the body vulnerable. Rectifying this is the first step toward injury prevention and rehabilitation. That’s where Pilates comes in.
No longer a fad for stay-at-home moms, Pilates has been widely embraced by athletes and professional sports organizations. The game-changing fitness technique is an effective tool for injury prevention.
Strengthening the Core Through Pilates
At the center of the human body is the core, which consists of deep abdominal muscles, along with the muscles that are closest to the spine. Every physical movement engages the core muscles—such as the diaphragm, the pelvic floor, and the glutes.
Pilates can reprogram the muscles to perform optimally during any activity, whether it’s running, jogging or sitting at a desk for several hours. This, in turn, decreases spinal load and strengthens the core postural muscles, lowering the chances of an injury.
Alignment, Flexibility, And Posture
In most cases, poor performance is indicative of poor musculoskeletal alignment. A properly aligned body increases the performance of the person. It also prevents strain and balances out load.
Pilates includes training exercises that focus on better neuromuscular control through movements that are controlled. They also require you to maintain a neutrally-aligned spine. A properly aligned core will prevent individual parts of the body from being compromised and will prevent injuries by restricting awkward and out-of-control movements!
Contact the Sports Medicine Specialists at SEMI in The Greater Toronto Area!
Sports & Exercise Medicine Institute offers one-of-a-kind diagnoses and innovative treatments for sports-related injuries in the Greater Toronto Area. Being a leading sports medicine and physiotherapy clinic, our team of experienced doctors and physiotherapists offers beneficial treatment and rehabilitation programs that speed up the recovery and improve the performance of athletes.
Our services include sports massage therapy, physiotherapy, PRP injections, foot pain podiatry, shockwave therapy, custom knee braces, pelvic health physiotherapy, and neck and shoulder pain treatments.
Contact us now to schedule an appointment!
