Adelaide Chiropractor Dr Rob Hutchings Discusses Combining Chiropractic and Pilates
68Dr Rob Hutchings
Health Align Chiropracti, Adelaide Chiropractor
266 Glen Osmond Rd, Fullarton SA
(08) 8338 2221
Chiropractic and Pilates – A Perfect Health Align
Chiropractors and exercise therapists have traditionally been at odds. In my opinion, the most unfortunate part of this pointless feud (largely based on ego and ignorance) is that clients are the ones left suffering and confused.
The debate between the professions often boils down to one simple question. Do tight muscles pull the spine out of alignment or does the spine get out of alignment and then the muscles become tight? To answer this question we must look at the function of the spine and postural muscles.
Our bodies were designed thousands of years ago. The spine plays a compromising role, having to be strong and protective of the spinal cord, whilst flexible enough to allow free movement. The balance between these two roles is achieved through continued and varied movement; think of walking, squatting, bending and sitting cross legged. However, today we subject our spines to far more repetitive actions and minimal movement in positions it was not designed for, such as sitting on a chair for hours on end or driving a car.
Postural stress is increasing exponentially and at ever younger ages as we become more and more computer bound. On top of this, emotional and toxic stress affects the alignment and mobility of the spine. Ever noticed how much stiffer you feel after a stressful day at the office or an argument?
The stresses of the 21st century, in addition to the normal bumps and accidents we all experience through life, cause the spine to shift out of its correct alignment. When the spine shifts out of alignment of the nervous system tells the muscles and ligaments to tighten in a protective response, acting as a natural brace. This prevents the spine from moving even further out of alignment. As a result over time some muscles become weaker and weaker, whilst others become tighter and tighter. Further, interference of nerve supply to muscles can be very pain sensitive. As a general rule, muscles don’t tighten without the nervous system sending messages to them to do so and these messages originate from spinal or joint misalignment.
In order to correct the problem, both the spine and muscular system need to be addressed. Correcting the alignment of the spine is a very specific task that requires precise and gentle adjustments. Repeated adjustments train the nervous system to hold the spine in the correct position, allowing the free flow of nerves and often relieving muscular tension.
The muscles, however are also likely to be imbalanced due to poor spinal alignment and often need to be actively retrained. In doing so the muscles are able to support the spine in its proper alignment and relieve muscular pain often experienced.
This is where tailored exercise such as Pilates can assist in holding the spine in its correct alignment, or stop it progressing further out of alignment. Pilates concentrates on postural muscles, strengthening the weakened muscles and stretching the tighter muscles. Combined with focused breathing techniques and flexibility exercises it perfectly complements corrective chiropractic care.
The process of Pilates training will improve posture and to some extent improve spinal alignment. It will not, however, correct specific misalignments, which can remain uncorrected in even the most advanced Pilates masters.
I therefore believe that rather than one discipline claiming superiority over the other or a client trying treatments in isolation from one another, the best approach is a combination of corrective chiropractic and exercise therapy.
There are countless success stories for pain relief and the relief of other conditions by utilising just one of either chiropractic or Pilates. While achieving a successful resolution of pain relief is a good thing, combining the two at the same time is about achieving optimal health in a real and lasting way.
At Health Align Chiropractic and Natural Therapies, my focus as the chiropractor is of course to realign the spine. Instead of dividing my focus to try to be all things to all people, there are two Pilates instructors working at our centre. The Pilates instructors consult with me when designing a specific exercise plan for our patients that will compliment their chiropractic care. On top of that, there are regular Pilates (and Yoga) classes held at Health Align.
Dr Rob Hutchings
Health Align, Adelaide Chiropractor
