I know I have!
Recently,
an article in Pilates Style asked this question, taking a look at some Pilates
exercises that address spinal compression specifically.
For a look at these exercises and the article, click http://www.pilatesstyle.com/2014/pilates-blog/feeling-compressed).
For a look at these exercises and the article, click http://www.pilatesstyle.com/2014/pilates-blog/feeling-compressed).
Medically
speaking, spinal compression, or spinal cord compression is caused by any condition
that puts pressure on your spinal cord
(Johns Hopkins). In the case of a medical condition, a herniated disk or
osteoporosis, for example, can cause compression. However, the average person
can experience spinal compression just by doing daily activities, such as
lifting objects or sitting with poor posture. Pressure on the spinal cord can
range from mild to severe.
Again
in medical terms, spinal decompression is actually a form of surgery, but in a
Pilates class we use "spinal decompression" to mean any form of movement that
can take some of that compression away. From breathing techniques to a variety of
standing and mat exercises, Pilates is constantly seeking to undo the various
forms of compression we experience in our daily lives.
In
Anatomy of Movement Blandine Calais-Germain and Andree' Lamotte teach
us that when we bend the spine forward or backward, we must make sure our spine
is lengthened first, so that we don’t do
any movement from a compressed position. If this is the case, we can actually
exacerbate existing spinal compression.
So when we see you in class, keep that great spinal length through the whole class and you'll feel taller, and with any luck, less compressed!