When people complain about chronic pain, three areas appear most often: the hips, knees, and lower back. While it is possible that injury or localized issues can cause this discomfort, it is common for pain in these areas to be referred from elsewhere.
Studies show, for example, that pain down the legs is usually referred from the hips and back. The body’s structures have a synergistic relationship, and this connection is one of the first things that people often notice in Reformer Pilates classes.
If you are experiencing tight hips and hamstrings, you might not realize that targeting these areas alone is only a temporary solution. Reformer Pilates classes can teach you how to fix these issues by working those areas and increasing support from all the surrounding structures.
The Problem With Tight Hips and Hamstrings
If you notice that your hamstrings are a little tight and you cannot fully extend your legs in some circumstances, you might think there is no real need for concern. However, just because you are not experiencing debilitating pain or limited mobility (yet) does not mean that tight hips and hamstrings will not cause you issues.
Studies indicate that while you will likely be able to walk normally if your hips or hamstrings are tight, you could damage your body long-term.Hips that are pulled tight are likely to lean, meaning that the lower back must compensate by pulling on the hips to keep them in a position where you can walk and move. Tight hamstrings exacerbate this issue by pulling on the hips from a different angle.
Over time, people with tight hips and hamstrings will likely notice increasing lower back pain, reduced mobility, and even injuries. The good news is that fixing these issues may not be as challenging as you think.
How Reformer Pilates Can Help
Reformer Pilates is especially good at addressing tight muscles and ligaments because of its gentle, holistic approach. Sitting on the floor to stretch your hamstrings is beneficial, but there is so much more going on in your body to support your hips and legs that you are missing out on if you stop there!
Strengthening Supporting Muscles
One of the most significant improvements that participants often see with Reformer Pilates is how all the muscles in the pelvis, lower back, and legs become stronger. This is not just about large muscles, such as the glutes; the small, stabilizer muscles are much harder to exercise.
These small helpers properly position the body’s structures, such as the hips. Strengthening the larger muscles pulling on the hips can keep them in their proper position to reduce tension and pain elsewhere.
Changing Your Gait
Your gait is the manner in which you walk. Over time, as the hamstrings tighten and the hips shift, your gait may gradually adapt so you can keep walking. However, this constant movement places undue stress on ligaments and muscles coping at an angle they were not meant to.
Over time, this can lead to injury, strain, or even ligament damage. Pilates helps you model correct, healthy movements so your body can return to a natural gait.
Increasing Your Flexibility
A lack of flexibility often causes tightness. Pilates’ focus on deep but gentle stretching can gradually lengthen your hamstrings and reduce their pull on the hips, boosting your range of movement. As an added benefit (in addition to the pain reduction), your improved flexibility will likely mean you can enjoy activities with less discomfort and less risk of injury.
Offering Pain-Free Relief
For many people suffering from hamstring or hip tightness, the most appealing thing about Reformer Pilates is its gentleness. You should never be in pain while performing Pilates exercises. This adaptive method of exercise changes according to your abilities and potential injuries and can be easily adjusted each time you work out. This allows you to achieve results without the aches and pains you currently associate with exercise.
Try Reformer Pilates Classes to Loosen Your Hips and Hamstrings
If hip and hamstring pain or tightness are interfering with your life, or if you are starting to notice them develop, the best time to address the issue is now! Reformer Pilates offers a gentle but effective method of loosening the area so you can enjoy greater flexibility and range of movement, an improved gait, less pain, and a lower risk of injury.
Contact RTR Pilates today and register for a beginner class!