ask stylebook: lower back pain?
Heather: Over the past month my back has been bothering me. What exercises should I do to help with my low back pain?
Megan Brown PT, DPT, Mind the Mat: Ahh, the holidays. Filled with merriment and cheer, yes, but the extra travel, stress and deviation from your routine can take a toll on your back. Without a full physical therapy evaluation, it’s difficult to prescribe an exercise program specific to the mechanics of the injury. Still, during the holidays who has time to make an appointment?
The good news is, studies show that general exercise can reduce low back pain symptoms. You don’t need access to a gym. Just a brisk walk outside on a level surface can drastically reduce your back pain. So take the family outside and enjoy the neighbors’ lights.
If you are looking for something more specific to improve your body mechanics and prevent further back injury, Pilates is the system for you. Pilates recruits deep spinal stabilizers. These muscles are key factors in spinal stability and dynamic mobility during functional activities such as lifting, standing and changing positions while sitting. Training these muscles not only alleviates low back pain, but also keeps the spine young!
- About the studio
Mind the Mat Pilates & Yoga was founded in 2008 by Megan Brown, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Polestar Certified Practitioner of Pilates for Rehabilitation and Sara VanderGoot, Nationally Certified Massage Therapist and Registered Yoga Teacher (e-RYT 200, RYT 500). In their private practices as physical therapist and massage therapist respectively Megan and Sara observed that many of their clients were coming in with similar needs: relief for neck and shoulder tension and low back pain as well as a desire for more flexibility in hips and legs, stability in joints, and core strength.
Together Megan and Sara carefully crafted a curriculum of Pilates and yoga classes to address needs for clients who are pregnant, postpartum, have injuries or limitations, who are new to Pilates and yoga, and for those who are advanced students and are looking for an extra challenge.
2214 Mount Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301
703.683.2228
