The Aches We Live With — and How Pilates Helps

Most people who walk into The Pilates Clinic don’t do so because they want a six-pack. They come in because something hurts. A stiff back from hours at a desk. Achy hips after pregnancy. Tight shoulders from long commutes or poor posture. For some, it’s the lingering echo of an old injury. For others, it’s the slow, creeping discomfort that comes with everyday life.

These aches might be common—but they’re not inevitable. And Pilates, done well and with proper instruction, can make a meaningful difference.

1. Lower Back Pain

The reality: Lower back pain affects around 1 in 6 adults in the UK, according to the NHS. It’s one of the most common causes of disability worldwide. Often, it’s a result of muscular imbalance, poor posture, or prolonged sitting.

How Pilates helps: Pilates targets the deep stabilising muscles of the core (not just your abs, but also your pelvic floor, diaphragm, and deep spinal muscles). By strengthening these muscles and improving spinal alignment, it takes pressure off the lumbar spine. Clients often report reduced back pain within weeks of starting regular sessions.

Fact check source: NHS: Back pain

2. Neck and Shoulder Tension

The reality: Many of us carry tension in the shoulders without noticing. Poor workstation ergonomics, stress, and mobile phone use all contribute to tightness and imbalance.

How Pilates helps: Pilates strengthens the upper back and reinforces proper scapular stability. At The Pilates Clinic, we teach you how to move your arms without tensing your traps or hunching your shoulders. Breathwork also plays a role—helping reduce tension from the inside out.

3. Hip Tightness and Pelvic Instability

The reality: Whether from sedentary behaviour or high-impact sports, tight hip flexors and weak glutes are rampant. Many women also experience pelvic floor dysfunction, particularly postnatally.

How Pilates helps: We focus on hip mobility and glute activation in nearly every session. Reformer Pilates is especially effective at reintroducing pelvic stability in a safe, progressive way. For postpartum clients, we gently restore pelvic floor connection under the guidance of BASI-trained instructors who understand prenatal and postnatal care.

4. Joint Stiffness and General Discomfort

The reality: As we age, joint stiffness becomes more common. But too often, people respond by moving less, not more.

How Pilates helps: Regular, low-impact movement keeps joints lubricated and muscles balanced. Mat and Reformer Pilates help with:

• Maintaining range of motion in hips, knees, and shoulders
• Building the small stabilising muscles that support joint health
• Improving circulation and neuromuscular control

According to Versus Arthritis, movement is one of the best ways to manage long-term joint pain—and Pilates offers a safe, structured way to do just that.

5. Generalised Fatigue and Disconnection

The reality: Many clients arrive feeling unfit, unmotivated, or simply "not themselves." They may not have a diagnosed issue—but they know they need to move better.

How Pilates helps: Beyond the physical, Pilates helps clients reconnect with their body through:

• Focused breath work
• Mindful movement
• An hour of attention directed inward

This isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about moving smarter. And that’s exactly what we do at The Pilates Clinic in Wimbledon.

Start Where You Are

Pilates won’t fix everything overnight. It’s not a magic bullet. But it is a method—a carefully constructed, intelligent system that helps you understand your body, move more efficiently, and support your long-term wellbeing.

If you’re dealing with aches, tension, or fatigue, Pilates might be one of the most effective and sustainable tools you can introduce.

Book a session with us at thepilatesclinic.com.

You don’t need to be pain-free to start. But you do need to start to begin feeling better.