How Yoga and Pilates Can Help Alleviate Back and Neck Pain

Over 80% of Americans will experience back pain at some point. It is no surprise then, that most chiropractic patients identify back and neck pain as their primary reason for receiving care. But what can you do between chiropractic treatments to keep back and neck pain at bay? For many, maintaining a healthy lifestyle by practicing yoga and Pilates has carried over the benefits from chiropractic care into daily routine.

At Tannenbaum Chiropractic of Beverly Hills, we want you to feel your best in and out of our offices. Read on to learn the many benefits of yoga and Pilates, and how these practices can work in conjunction with chiropractic care to help alleviate back and neck pain between chiropractic care visits.

Yoga and Pilates: The Basics

Yoga has gained popularity over the past decade. A variety of styles, approaches, and practices have emerged. But what is yoga, really? In short, yoga is a 5,000-year-old ancient Indian practice that centers the whole self through regular practice of flowing stretches and movements, conscious breathing, and meditation. Regular yoga practice builds strength, flexibility, and self-control on and off the yoga mat. While at the center of yoga remains a spiritual, relaxing, meditative practice, many turn to yoga to specifically improve their posture, flexibility, balance and body alignment. As a result, most report a significant increase in overall health due to yoga practice. The research on yoga’s many benefits is also clear. When it comes to back pain specifically, there are several studies that have concluded in recommendation for yoga practice as an “additional therapy for low-back pain.”

In contrast to yoga’s meditative stretching and breathing focus, Pilates uses similar concepts as yoga but forms an exercise regimen to build core strength in addition to spinal flexibility. Pilates implements a series of controlled movements that specifically target the core: not only front abdomen muscle groups, but also the obliques, lower back, pelvic area, glutes, and thighs. In Pilates, this targeted core strength is believed to improve posture, increase spinal flexibility, and extend benefits outward from the spine. This is similar to chiropractic, as these core muscle groups support the spine, and therefore, the whole body.

Overall Benefits of Yoga and Pilates

The physical and mental benefits of yoga and Pilates are not dissimilar to those of chiropractic care. These benefits range in practice, but include:

  • Improved core strength
  • Increased body awareness
  • Injury prevention
  • Increased overall flexibility
  • Whole body awareness
  • Relaxation and conscious breathing practice
  • Improved posture, balance, and body alignment
  • Decrease in stress-related back pain
  • Decrease in anxiety and stress
  • Increase of blood flow, and therefore decreased toxins in the body
  • Improved cardiovascular health
  • Stronger and more flexible spine
  • Increased stamina
  • Improved immune system
  • Alleviation of neck and back pain

How Chiropractic Care, Yoga, and Pilates Work Together

In chiropractic, it is understood that core strength and spine flexibility are central to holistic health, which is reflective of yoga and Pilates’ assistance in alleviating back and neck pain in a non-invasive way. The concept of whole body wellness is directly connected to your spinal health in yoga, Pilates, and chiropractic care, allowing these practices to work directly with one another. Pilates helps to strengthen the core and keep the spine aligned, while yoga improves whole body awareness that improves posture and body alignment—all working to keep your spine strong, healthy, and therefore your back and neck pain-free. These practices also incorporate the foundation of chiropractic care: maintaining a healthy, fit lifestyle. Whether Pilates or yoga appeals to you, practicing either (or both) regularly will dramatically alleviate the back and neck pain throughout your everyday life, even between chiropractic visits.

It is simple: the healthier the spine and the stronger the core, the less likely you will suffer from neck and back pain. The team at Tannenbaum Chiropractic can help guide you with selecting a yoga and/or Pilates practice that is appropriate and most beneficial for your physical condition and unique needs.

Interested in incorporating yoga and Pilates into your regular chiropractic care treatments? Call Tannenbaum Chiropractic of Beverly Hills today for a free quote!