I Hurt My Back! Can I Do Pilates?
From the desk of Ashley Piccinni, MSPT, CPI...
In most cases, yes! Pilates is a wonderful form of gentle and safe exercise that can strengthen your core (abdominals, back, pelvic/hip muscles) to help recover from injuries as well as prevent future injuries. It is recommended that if you have a back injury and are being followed by a doctor that you provide your Pilates instructor with a letter of medical clearance prior to beginning any exercise program. Additionally, while Pilates is a safe and effective form of exercise, it is important to listen to your own body and work within your injury-free comfort zone.
Ashley Piccinni, MSPT, CPI Certified Pilates Instructor & Physical Therapist
After graduating from the University of Connecticut with a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy, Ashley returned to her hometown of Boston to work at one of the country’s leading rehabilitation hospitals. There, she helped to rehabilitate some of the most severely impaired individuals following stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury and orthopedic trauma and surgery. She was also chosen to participate in an international therapy exchange program where she provided skilled interventions to critically wounded war victims from overseas.
After practicing in a variety of settings, Ashley came to the realization that traditional exercise techniques were not producing the results needed to return some of her patients back to their optimal level of functioning, especially those with chronic pain or balance impairments. Ashley began researching and learned that many of the founding principles of Pilates, such as control, breath, concentration, and postural alignment, were missing from typical exercise protocols. Ashley decided to pursue her Pilates training in order to expand her treatment techniques for improved patient outcomes.
Ashley has since completed both her Comprehensive Pilates training through a Pilates Method Alliance approved training facility and the Balanced Body Barre teacher training program. Additionally, Ashley has completed an intense mentoring program through Boston Body Pilates. She utilizes Pilates principles and exercises to develop therapeutic programs for patients and clients at all levels of mobility and fitness.
Book online for any private session or mat class in our Boston Pilates studio or contact OMBE for additional information.