Core stability for Dancers – try our Dance Pilates

Are you a dancer who wants to improve your technique, flexibility or just prevent those niggly injuries that can keep you from training?

Here at Bureta physio we have a dedicated physiotherapist who can help you with this.

As a dancer you will be aware of the importance of core stability to improve turns, control arabesque and prevent many back issues.  You may already being lots of training for it but are you really doing what you need to do to get the most out of it.

Core stability is not about doing hundreds of sit ups, getting a ‘six-pack’ or being able to hold a plank position for 3 minutes (although these do still have their purposes!)

True Core Stability IS…

• The ability to control the spine dynamically, that is, with movement.
• Fine co-ordination of all of the muscles that control your trunk, not just the abdominals.
• The ability to adjust the level of control needed, depending on the situation.
• Creating a stable base off which to work the limbs.
• Stabilizing the mid-section to allow smooth and effective transfer of force through the body.

While everyone needs some level of core stability, some people need more than others. For a dancer, core stability needs to be fantastic fine coordination of all of the muscles to allow controlled mobility of the pelvis and spine with movement, rather than bracing in one spot.

So How Do We Do That?
True core stability exercises are extremely hard to do properly and very easy to do wrong. The purpose of our specific dance pilates courses are to ensure you understand the finer details required to gain true core stability and a progressive system of exercises the train your muscles in the best possible way.

Flexibility
Our dance pilates classes also provide ways to improve your flexibility in a safe but effective manner.  Unfortunately we often see injuries that are caused by over-stretching, especially on young bodies that are still developing.  Its not that as a physiotherapists we are against improving flexibility but this can be achieved through controlled and safe methods not putting joints or muscles through undue stress.

Lucy Poole, one of our physiotherapists here at Bureta is experienced with working with dancers both from a amateur level through to professional so you can get the most from your dancing.  This can be through a one to one physiotherapy session, one to one pilates classes or in our group dance pilates classes.

The goal of the classes is to improve dance technique and reduce dance related injuries that we see a lot in the clinic.  Simple postural and muscle balance adjustments can make a huge difference to current performance and prevent time off due to injury.

They will run for 6 consecutive weeks at a cost of $80 for 6 consecutive sessions.

My Doctor said I should do Pilates? -Tell me more!

Ok, so your Doctor has recommended Pilates so what is it and why have they said this?

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a method of body conditioning that was developed nearly 100 years ago in Germany. It is unique because the technique works on strengthening, lengthening and toning muscles as well as improving posture and increasing your flexibility and balance.

What are the benefits of Pilates?

Pilates can have huge benefits on health and wellness and injury:

• Improves strength, flexibility, balance and coordination
• Develops strong core
• Reduces tension and stress
• Improves posture
• Increases mental focus and body awareness
• Tones and builds long, lean muscles
• Increases vitality and sense of well-being
• Increases circulation and endurance
• Helps prevent injury, rehabilitate injuries and reduce chronic pain
• Great adjunct to your normal sport and exercise regime.

 

Why do Physio’s at Bureta use Pilates?

Here at Bureta Physio we use clinical Pilates on a daily basis with our patients both in a class and 1-to-1 setting. All our Pilates sessions/ and classes are instructed by qualified Physiotherapists. It is often used in conjunction with other modalities to treat a variety of injuries ranging from knee pain, lower back pain through to neck pain. This is based on current literature that demonstrates the importance of correct movement patterns and advocates the retraining of deep stabilising muscles around the hip, lower back and neck region to biomechanically load the spine and peripheral joints correctly. Check out our class schedule for the best times to suit you, plus we have specific Mens Pilates (MPX for the macho types out there) which is hugely popular.

Who would it benefit?

• All age ranges, although must be able to get on and off the floor without assistance.
• Patients with current or previous lower back, hip or neck pain.
• Patients getting back into exercise.
• Patients who are currently active but wish to address or prevent ‘niggly’’ injuries.
• Patients who wish to improve flexibility caused by poor posture, lack of exercise or degenerative changes.
• Patients who would benefit from relaxation and an improved sense of well-being.

If you feel you would benefit from Pilates classes or you would like to discuss anything further then please do not hesitate to contact the clinic on:

07 5761860 or buretaphysio@xtra.co.nz

Core Strength and Back Pain

What is Core Stability?

This is a term which describes the firmness and stability of your trunk muscles. These are the muscles which wrap around your trunk like a cylinder or brace. They lie between your ribs and your hip bones just like the corsets worn in Victorian times.

The core or trunk muscles are the foundations of the body. The back, arms and the legs work much better if the trunk muscles are stable. When the trunk muscles are working together they support your body when walking, bending, lifting and even sitting upright and give you more energy.

Once working correctly they will also help protect the back from injury.

Why is Core Stability useful in the treatment of back pain?

Pain has been shown to turn muscles off. Pain encourages sufferers to adopt pain relieving positions but ultimately they add to the problem. This leads to recurrent low back pain. Improving core stability will help stop this pain or reduce it a lot and encourage better posture which will prevent further pain. Improving posture may reduce pain immediately. Improving core stability will reduce pain over time.

How can we help you?

We need to teach your muscles how to work again. This training is done one on one with your physiotherapist. Once the muscles are working correctly we can then give you a programme of exercises to improve your strength even further. These need to be monitored and are progressed as the muscles slowly strengthen and work together correctly. We also offer pilates classes and strength classes which incorporate core strength. Call us now to book into our classes. New times and more classes coming 2015…………. New schedule up on website in Jan