The repititve load (body movement) on the hip joint, a synovial joint, can cause irritation and pain.  If the skeletal alignment is "off" then the actions of daily function such as gait, sitting, and standing

cause strees on the lower exteremities followed by over compenstation of the upper body for support. This imbalance may be caused by over exertion and tightness in the muscles of the region and ligaments to interact smoothly with one another, can become inflamed after a period of irritation resulting in the condition of Bursitis.

The basis of this research paper will be the alleviation/treatment of Bursitis in the hip area.  Statistically approximately 1 in 31 (3.20% or 8.7 million people in the USA) have the condition/diagnosis of

Bursitis (elbow, hip, shoulder). The statistical prevalence of Bursitis means that a significant part of the population are managing Bursitis at any given time, predominantly in silence. The condition is not hereditary and specifically pertains to the movement of our bodies, sometimes excessive/reptitive and sometimes sedentary.

The pathology of the intervertebral disk is classified in the terms herniation, protrusion, prolapse and extrusion, with respective levels of severity. The focus of this paper is the onset of this condition of disk pathology, known as herniation, and how a BASI Pilates conditioning program will aid in decreasing the likelihood of worsening severity and pain without surgical intervention. A disk herniation is characterized by a change in the shape of the annulus of the disk which causes it to bulge beyond its normal perimeter, causing pain that may seem sudden, but is usually the result of a gradual process. “Disk herniation, tissue fluid stasis, diskogenic pain, and swelling from inflammation are conditions that may result from prolonged flexion postures, repetitive flexion micro trauma, or traumatic flexion injuries.” ( Kisner, Therapuetic Exercise 412) With sustained flexed postures in the spine, the disks, facet joints and ligaments (inert structures) are placed under sustained loading which increases the vulnerability of these structural components to injury and inflammation. The muscles of our spine and trunk work to support these structures to keep harmony and balance within the body. The deeper, intrinsic muscles of the trunk and spine, which have segmental attachments to the vertebra, work to provide dynamic support to individual segments of the spine, and maintain each segment in a stable position so the inert tissues and structures are not stressed. “Studies have shown the the deep fibers of the multifidi and transverse abdominis are the first muscles to become active when there is postural disturbance from rapid extremity movements” (Kisner 387) Strengthening of these deep intrinsic core stabilizers such as the transverse abdominis, multifidus and deep rotators of the spine as well as the global stabilizers such as the rectus abdominus, internal/ exernal obliques, illiopsoas and erector spinae are the focus of this BASI pilates conditioning program. By strengthening and stabilizing the spine, and balancing the strength and elasticity that cross the joints, we can correct faulty posture and help to prevent injury from undue loading of the spinal segments and maintain the role of shock absorption of the spinal disks.

Osteoporosis is a prevalent condition, most commonly occurring in women, but also occurring in men to a lesser degree. As it’s a condition that can both be prevented and improved by exercise, it seems to me crucial that we as teachers of exercise understand the condition and more importantly know how we can safely and effectively create programs for our clients in this population.

Pilates students, at least at the moment are predominantly female, and we see perhaps a proportionally higher number in the over 50’s age category than traditional gyms. It is therefore highly likely that we will be teaching people with an Osteoporosis.

I therefore wanted to research the condition so that I can confidently create and teach my clients who are presenting with the condition.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the spine and the imbalances that come along with structural deviations such as scoliosis as well as learned imbalances from years of dancing. I will go in depth about my personal journey from an adolescent receiving a scoliosis diagnosis while trying to hone in on my dance technique, to how Pilates has helped me become a more balanced and stronger adult. Re-learning positive movement patterns, recruiting the proper muscles, and working within the limits of stability are all important to the program created for this case study.

Having suffered from bursitis of the hip for almost five years and plantar fasciitis for over 18 months the use of Pilates through mat and apparatus work has now relieved me of symptoms to the point I no longer have pain. Any pain that may occur is quickly eased and disappears with ongoing work using Pilates to manage, strengthen and support these areas. I have found the overall state of my body and mind has improved immensely now that pain is no longer an issue through BASI Pilates.

For every inch that your head protrudes forward from its proper alignment, it increases the weight of the head on the neck by 10 pounds! Compensatory posture caused by the extra leverage eventually leads to a kyphosis. What causes forward head posture? Before starting to work with a client with this posture it is imperative to do an in depth evaluation. Typically, too much time spent at a computer, driving, reading, extended use of cellphones and lack of developed back muscle strength leads to this posture. However, there are instances that forward head posture can be related to a spinal injury.
Body alignment of a client that presents with forward head posture will have rounded shoulders and the head will protrude forward in relation to the shoulder joint. Tingling and numbness in the arms and hands is possible along with a burning pain between the shoulder blades and a kyphotic posture. There is usually an anterior pelvic tilt because the body has to compensate for the top half of the body which causes tight hip flexor muscles and hip extensors. While working with a client who has this postural deviation it is of extreme value to teach proper alignment and body awareness in order to restore the body’s natural balance.

Hyper-mobility is a syndrome in which a joint has excessive range of motion beyond what is considered normal. Excessive range of motion occurs when the connective tissue in a joint is too loose. Often weak muscles surrounding the joint contribute to a client’s discomfort or lack of strength. Hyper-mobility of a joint is not reversible but the issue can be minimized by training the body to recruit surrounding muscles resulting in support and stability for the joint.

Hyper-mobility of the knee joint, also known as Genu Recurvatum, is the most visibly obvious form of hyper-mobile joints in the body. Hyper-mobile knees may be genetically inherited or learned through repetitive movements over an extended period of time. With hyper-mobile knees, the pelvis is often pulled into an anterior tilt causing tight hip flexors, weak hip extensors, a tight lumbar spine, and weak abdominal muscles.

With shoulder pain ranking as the third most common musculoskeletal complaint in the USA, it is important that we better understand the Rotator Cuff and its implications. In this paper, I outline a four-step program to reset the Rotator Cuff.

Totaling 12 weeks, the program is broken into 4 steps of 3 weeks each. In my experience, I have seen most gains with clients coming between 2 and 3 times per week.

Phase 1: Stretching Phase 2: Stabilization Phase 3: Strength Phase 4: Movement

This felt, to me, like a logical structure, and is founded on understanding the musculature and general skeletal structure of the shoulder girdle. Stretching and releasing the musculature allows imbalances to loosen and muscles to become pliable and ready for adaptive work. Once you have loosened previous muscular patterns, Phase 2 introduces a new and balanced range of motions that form the stable roots of the new movement patterns. Once the foundation of the Rotator Cuff is solid, Phase 3 strengthens the new movement patterns created and begins to incorporate primary shoulder muscles and scapular stabilizers, adding in complex and controlled movements. Phase 4 takes the client into a more advanced movement patterning, challenging foundations, strength and inviting exploration of movement.

“The human body, fortunately, can withstand more neglect, successfully, than can the complicated machinery of a modern steamship. However, that is no good reason why we should unnecessarily and unreasonably tax our bodies beyond bounds of endurance, especially since doing so results only in hurting ourselves (page29) …. Contrology exercises build a sturdy body and sound mind fitted to perform every daily task with ease and perfection as well as to provide tremendous reserve energy for sports, recreation, emergencies.” (page 32 Pilates’ Return to life through Contrology).

Injuries with endurances athletes are certainly no random occurrence, despite their “fit & strong” bodies. However, in many cases athletes are also able to train their mind over matter - or pain - until muscles fatigue, and exhaustion or injury forces the individual to stop and rest their body. Too often treatments will focus on healing the symptoms without working on change in routines or training to reduce pain and to avoid reoccurrence, but also to build on an even fitter and stronger sportsperson.

Although, cycling is less impactful on the spine than running, wrong posture in the saddle as well as weak abdominals can cause painful and fatigue lower back muscles for cyclists. In combination of shorten hip flexors through extensive cycling, and having the pelvis in a posterior tilt with extension of the back muscles for multiple hours, cycling can cause incredible discomfort to the athlete.

This paper will focus on the Pilates teaching Catherine, an Ironman distance triathlete and triathlon coach, will receive to ease her back pain which is mainly driven by her right Quadratus Limborum being in constant spasm and her compensating left Psoas and Iliospoas being fatigue causing pain in her left groin area.

Everyone will experience Degenerative Disc Disease at some point in their life. However, with proper body mechanics the pain that a person could experience can change significantly. The spine is complex and vital; it is responsible for a great deal of our movement and for many people a great deal of discomfort. Degenerative Disc Disease is not truly a disease, but rather the process of the degeneration of the discs between the vertebrae which can be very painful, and limit normal functioning. This paper outlines what Degenerative Disc Disease is, how it happens and one persons journey through Pilates to manage his pain and go back to normal functioning.

The world around us is in a constant state of change; from the food we eat, to the hours we work and study, to the increase of digital socialization. These changes and the decline of physical education in schools are leaving adolescents with a surplus of energy and minimal guidance when it comes to physical fitness, at a time when their physical development is at it’s most malleable but also susceptible to habit forming imbalances.

Pilates, specifically the Basi Mat Program, is an easy, and affordable tool that can be incorporated into a school’s physical education program during the middle school and high school years, aiding in the adolescent’s structural development, imbalances, postural issues, strength, flexibility, and range of motion. On top of honing their mental coordination and awareness, the “mind body connection” if you will.

Ms. R. is well aware of her flat back posture and the accompanying limited lower back mobility. Recently however, she has complained of persistent lower back pain. She works as a thoracic surgery lead medical assistant, which requires her to stand for long hours with head, neck and shoulders flexed forward while performing a micro movement. This can last for up to six hours at a time without a break. This static positioning and repetitive motion often leads to muscle imbalances causing postural weaknesses referred to as Fatigue Posture (or Sway-Back posture). This paper utilizes the Body Arts Science International Block System and principals of Joseph Pilates to structure a Pilates training program that addresses both physical and mental conditioning (“as a whole”). The objective of the conditioning program is to reduce or eliminate lower back pain by restoring proper spine alignment, improving posture, overall strength, and mobility, all the while ensuring the client is working within her anatomical and structural range of motion (ROM).

Martial arts differ in techniques, regulations, equipment, and intensity. As a result they can cause a wide range of injuries that can vary from mild to severe. The most common are sprains, strains, cuts, and bruises, as well as broken bones. These injuries frequently affect the knee, ankle, shoulder and elbow.

This paper will address the hip joint injuries and their possible prevention, because martial arts training can place more stress on the hips than any other sport. Therefore, it’s crucial that all practitioners familiarize themselves with the most common types of hip injuries and causes. A BASI Pilates Conditioning Program for Alexander, a 25 year old athlete, practicing for 10 years is included.

This paper is about the use of Pilates to assist the recovery process of a client who suffered a groin strain. This case report is based on a 46 year old male ex-Rugby player who sustained the strain during sporting activity and followed a careful process of rehabilitation beginning with rest and visits to a physiotherapist, followed by a 12 week course of Pilates in the equipment studio, enabling him to have a personalised program of exercises specific to his injury and needs. He was able to return to his regular activities with no lingering pain or concerns.

The Sacroiliac Joint is a strong, typically stable, joint that is located in the pelvis between the ilium and the sacrum. It is surrounded by several supporting muscles and ligaments. The joint is responsible for shock absorption and transferring weight between the spine and the legs. Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction refers to pain in the Sacroiliac Joint that occurs due to abnormal movement of the joint. It can be caused by a number of reasons, but is generally the result of instability in the pelvic area. Treatment can include non-invasive methods such as heat/ice, rest, anti-inflammatory medications, stretching, exercise, or in more serious cases physical therapy, injections, and surgery. Pilates has shown to be particularly effective in alleviating pain caused by Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction because of the focus on building stability and strength in the surrounding muscles, correcting imbalances and compensatory patterns, and stretching muscles that have become too tight.

Physical movements, whether big or small, will naturally bring wear and tear upon the body. The wear and tears on the body, in particular the hip joint, can be equated to a rubber band. The rubber band can start off strong and durable, but the more that the band is manipulated, the less durability it retains.

As the hip acquires the daily grind, there is always the possibility of a hip replacement. In conjunction with physical therapy, the client would benefit greatly with the practice of Pilates. With a specified Pilate’s regimen, the client will gain physical/mental awareness and strength for proper use of the hip.

Volleyball players can develop a cluster of muscle imbalances that can lead to several injuries, including patellar tendonitis, or “jumper’s knee”. This affects at least 50% of volleyball players today(5). Jumper’s knee is an inflammation of the patellar tendon from repeated overuse. With repeated strain, micro-tears as well as collagen degeneration can also occur(4). The research presented focuses on a 14 year old female competitive volleyball player and the results of a 20 session BASI program. It was designed to address core strength, overall flexibility and to improve lower body imbalances. Studies show patellar tendonitis can be prevented by strengthening and conditioning muscles of the hip, hamstring and quadricep muscles as well as the gluteals. These muscle groups work together to absorb the “shock” to the knee during a jump. Ultimately, we will work to relieve pain, improve performance, restore optimal range of motion and establish body awareness, control and efficiency.

Lordosis or hyperlordosis is an exaggerated lumbar curve in the lumbar spine, so an anterior pelvic tilt is the major factor of lumbar lordosis. Due to an increased curve of the lumbar spine, the lower back puts more pressure on the entire back and this can lead to many postural imbalances. The most common symptom of lordosis is muscle pain! When your spine curves abnormally, your muscles get pulled in different directions, causing them to tighten or spasm. There are many causes of Hyperlordosis and it can affect people of any age. For females in particular, the hyperlordotic posture is common in young dancers and gymnasts, but also some young girls and women adopt this posture because they think it gives the appearance of a slimmer belly and elongated body. Of course, we know the opposite is true; an adopted hyperlordotic posture actually creates a look of a bulging belly!

I will present a case study of an adolescent girl who adopted a hyperlordotic back posture to mimic swimsuit models in order to appear slimmer, the resulting negative postural imbalances she experienced, and her triumphant discovery of Pilates.

As a medical professional, I spend a lot of my time slouching, hunching over patients, leaning over a computer charting, as well as lifting, moving, reaching and stretching in awkward positions. Unfortunately, the physical strains and repetitive movements of my job have created bad learned behaviors in my body. It has created muscle imbalances, postural dysfunction and compensatory movement patterns. I have created a fatigue posture, consisting of a painful and tight lower back and tight shoulders with limited mobility.

Pilates has played a key role in bringing my body back into alignment. By strengthening and becoming more aware of activating my “core”, the transverse abdominals, internal obliques, pelvic floor, multifidus, diaphragm, and deep erector spinae, or the “powerhouse”, I have been able to relax and lengthen my over compensated muscles. Pilates has created a self-awareness that has taken my every day life and practice to a new level of movement and understanding. Being self-aware has allowed me to begin the process of correcting my fatigue posture and tight shoulders.

This paper examines the conditions of the author, Faith Clements and her journey with Pilates as a form of physical rehabilitation. Faith suffered increasing chronic pain and movement dysfunctions over a period of several years, starting with double vision 3 years ago. It has been a long and uphill fight for Faith to try to return to health.

Faith chose to follow the BASI CTTC Course, firstly use her year at home recovering well, and secondly to try to gain a depth of knowledge about her conditions to a level to understand the best way for her to recover.

This paper examines the anatomical description of my conditions, combined with major muscle groups involved, and Faith’s notes in relation to ‘how it was for me’.

Further analysis is provided of the BASI block system in relation to the physical rehabilitation program she followed.

This paper ends with conclusions in this respect