Karyn - Session 2 & 3

Session 2 (Feb 2008)
Karyn indicated that her back pain was aggravated in the week after session 1. But she felt that the pain was not entirely caused by the Pilates exercises but possibly due to the intense childcare duties that she did over the week.

In session 2, lateral breathing, pelvic tilt and chest curl were repeated to reinforce their proper execution. However basic bridging was removed to prevent any lumbar flexion since pain was active. Side kicks on elbow were added to strengthen core, arm and shoulder girdle. Karyn has very good body awareness thus was able to disassociate her hips beautifully. Prone press up was highly emphasized and encouraged to practice on her own as it can improve spinal extension through the thoracic spine and improve control to stabilize the lumbar area.

Thorough postural and home ergonomic analysis were done to correct any harmful postures used when Karyn takes care of her children. For example, it was suggested to bathe the baby in a basin on the dinning table instead of on the bathroom floor so that she could stand in proper posture; also Karyn was advised to kneel rather than sit cross-legged on the floor when caring for her baby so that she could maintain neutral spine.

After session 2, Karyn reported that her back pain has gone. I would attribute such improvement to the extension work done during the session.

Session 3 (12 August 2008)
Karyn had to stop training due to her study and could only resume after 6 months. Her back condition has gotten from bad to worse, and her quadratus lumborum area was swollen due to active inflammation. Her left and right side muscle imbalance in upper body also became more severe.

Breathing exercise, dead bug on foam roller, prone press up were performed. Mermaid was done but range of motion was reduced (only reached up instead of “reach up and over”) on the inflicted side to prevent aggravation. I have advised Karyn to consult a physiotherapist who is trained in Pilates to do a spine check so that I could work her in safest and most optimal range in future sessions