(This post is an extract from a much fuller
article about the use of Pilates to aid recovery after a hip replacement in the
US. You can read the full article at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2674181/
)
Our aging population in Sussex and Brighton is leading to an ever
increasing number of people undergoing surgery to replace worn out joints,
particularly hip. While there is often a
battle to get the surgery in first place, with long waiting lists a major
problem for the Health Service, most people focus on the operation itself. The operation itself is, however, only the
first stage in what can be a long term recovery process.
Physical therapy becomes a large part of the
life of a recovering patient, and getting this right can make a big difference
in the speed at which people can get their lives back to normal.
The Pilates Approach
It has long been recognised that strengthening
the core area of the body increases the stability of the lower body, improving
its movement and balance which in turn keeps it strong and healthy. This makes Pilates in Sussex and Brighton an ideal exercise for people
looking to regain their fitness after a hip replacement operation.The Right Regime
Pilates incorporates a whole range of exercises
that both strengthen and mobilise both the core and hip areas. The correct combination for each individual
can therefore be selected to allow for the initial range of motion and any post-operative
pain being experienced. Ideally the exercise regime can actually start before
the operation, so a certain amount of core strength can already be developed. Again, the exercises selected would allow for
the current degree, or lack of, mobility and pain being experienced by the
patient.
Experience has shown that the best benefits are
gained if a pre-operative regime of Pilates exercises is undertaken for one to
two 2 hours, three or four times a week.
After the operation, an increasing program of sessions should be
undertaken, increasing steadily to match the healing process. This tends to follow the stages of starting
very gently, with the guidance of the surgeon, from two weeks after the
operation to gradually strengthen and mobilise the joint. After six weeks or so, this can be built up
to a similar regime to that of the pre-operative phase and on through to full
health. The ideal situation is for the
same Pilates instructor to be carrying out the training all the way through the
process to ensure a consistency is maintained.
The Basic Principles
The hip and core exercises all apply the 6 basic principles of all
Pilates workouts.
1. Centering – this is the
foundation of all Pilates exercise movements, and requires core muscles to be stabilised
before starting arm or leg movements.
2. Control – this refers to
the need to monitor movements while doing the Pilates exercises, and always
being aware of, and being in control of, the appropriate muscle groups.
3. Precision – Making sure the
exercise is completed fully and with the proper form and execution.
4. Concentration – Staying fully
focused on the exercise and nothing else.
5. Breath – Ensuring the
proper breathing is used throughout the exercise, i.e. inhalation is used to
prepare for the movement, and exhalation is used to execute the movement,
activate core muscle support, and intensify the movement.
6. Flow – This is ensuring the
proper transition of one movement to the next.
