Hi everyone,
As we move into autumn, I’ve been thinking about something that comes up again and again in the clinic: how do we keep moving well when our bodies change?
Sir Muir Gray, a geriatrician and advocate for “living longer better”, has written
extensively about the importance of staying physically and mentally active as we get older. I really like this approach because it moves the conversation away from trying to turn back the clock and towards something much more positive:
How can we keep using and looking after the body we have, so that it remains as strong, capable and active as possible?
That feels particularly relevant when we’re dealing with pain, stiffness, previous
injuries or ongoing conditions.
Pain can make us cautious. We worry that we might make something worse,
damage something further or simply push ourselves too far.
But pain and harm are not always the same thing.
There are many situations where appropriate movement and exercise are actually an important part of managing a problem, even when some symptoms are still present.
That doesn’t mean ignoring pain or simply pushing through it. It means
understanding what your body is telling you, considering the bigger picture and
finding the right level of activity for you.
And this is where physiotherapy can be really useful.
Pain Doesn’t Mean You Have to Stop
If you’re living with pain, it’s very easy for the painful area to become the focus of everything.
But your body is more than the bit that hurts.
When we’re thinking about staying active, we also need to consider:
Strength. Mobility. Balance. Cardiovascular fitness. Confidence. Coordination. And keeping our brains active too.
These things matter whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing an ongoing condition or simply noticing that your body isn’t doing quite what it used to.
The aim isn’t always to eliminate every symptom before you move again.
Sometimes the aim is to understand what you can do, build capacity gradually and find ways of staying active that work for your body.
Theresa
– Theresa
Physiotherapy Isn’t Always About “Fixing” a Problem
Physiotherapy doesn’t necessarily mean signing up for a long course of treatment until every symptom has disappeared.
Sometimes you need a course of rehabilitation. Sometimes you need a single
assessment and some clear advice. And sometimes you simply need an occasional MOT or regular “maintenance sessions” to review how things are going, adjust your exercises, have “hands on treatment” and give you a bit of reassurance and confidence.
You might benefit from a physiotherapy appointment if you:
- Have a new or persistent niggle that you’re unsure about
- Aren’t sure whether an exercise or activity is right for you
- Need to rebuild strength after an injury, illness or period of inactivity
- Are noticing changes in your balance, mobility or confidence
- Are managing arthritis or another ongoing condition
- Want to return to a favourite activity or sport
- Would benefit from an exercise review or a maintenance session
Sometimes having someone assess the bigger picture can make it much easier to know what to do next.
If you’ve been wondering whether an ache, stiffness or niggle is something you should simply put up with, or something worth having assessed, we’re always happy to help you work out what your body needs.
Pilates: Keeping Your Whole Body Moving
Pilates can be a really useful way of maintaining and developing the things that help us move well throughout our lives.
It can help with:
Strength and control
Mobility and flexibility
Balance and coordination
Body awareness
Confidence
More efficient and easier movement
And just like physiotherapy, Pilates doesn’t have to be about achieving a particular shape, level of flexibility or perfect technique.
It’s about developing a body that feels stronger, more capable and better able to cope with the things you want to do.
At Body Works, our Pilates sessions are designed around the individual rather than simply following a set programme. Your history, current needs and goals all help to shape what we do.
Our Studio Pilates is particularly bespoke. We have a range of equipment available, including the Reformer, Cadillac and Wunda Chair, but the equipment is simply a tool. The person comes first.
We’ll be talking more about this in October, including why we deliberately call it
Studio Pilates rather than Reformer Pilates, despite having used the Reformer for more than 20 years!
Autumn Pilates at Body Works
As we head into autumn, we have some availability across our Pilates sessions.
MAT PILATES
Our physiotherapist-led mat classes are a great way to build strength, mobility and confidence in a supportive group environment.
There are currently some spaces available in our evening classes.
STUDIO PILATES
We also have a couple of spaces available for Studio Pilates.
These sessions are individually tailored and can incorporate the Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, small equipment, mat work — or sometimes no equipment at all!
If you’re not sure which would suit you best, just get in touch and we can help you find the right option.
A Final Thought
Perhaps the most useful question isn’t:
“How do I get rid of every ache?”
but:
“What can I do to keep my body as strong, mobile and capable as possible?”
Sometimes that will involve physiotherapy.
Sometimes it will involve Pilates.
Sometimes it will simply mean finding a way to keep walking, gardening, swimming, dancing, cycling, playing sport or doing whatever it is that makes you feel like yourself.
Our bodies change throughout our lives.
The aim isn’t to stop that happening.
It’s to keep using, challenging and caring for the body we have.