Issue #399
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Enhancing Pilates with Massage
by Eme Cole
In the past few years, the Pilates industry has shifted from private, in-person training to more group and online training. As someone who has been teaching Pilates for twenty years, it is still my preference to train individual clients in person. I like being able to address each client’s specific needs, and I enjoy the connections created when spending an exclusive hour together. Now, more than ever, it is important for me to find ways to add greater value to that hour-long session. This way clients are not tempted to switch to a more diluted, yet affordable version of Pilates.
Last year, a client brought to my attention that they were using a massage gun on their hamstrings after long hikes and that it was providing significant relief. Research has shown that massage guns are effective for deep tissue muscle tension release. Various sources cite that using massage guns can reduce or relieve fatigue, pain, muscle soreness, and stiffness. In addition, they promote circulation and decompose lactic acid. I decided to purchase one and experience the benefits for myself. I hoped to determine if it could be incorporated into my self-practice as well as be beneficial to my clients.
Initially, I was apprehensive to deviate from my experienced and practiced Pilates offerings. While I have extensive education in exercise physiology and kinesiology, I am not a licensed massage therapist. Nor have I ever practiced massage on my clients. However, using a massage gun effectively on your own body can be challenging. For example, to address tight hamstring muscles, one would need to twist their torso in order to reach the affected area with the massage gun. This seemed counterproductive to me, as you do not wish to compromise form and posture in order to reach a difficult area. You certainly don’t want to strain a different muscle in the process.
A direct approach would be to have the client lie down prone while the practitioner would sweep the massage gun up and down the length of their hamstring muscles. However, the hamstring muscles are not as tight while lying in a relaxed prone position. The goal would then be to use the massage gun while the hamstrings are in a lengthened position. This would teach the body to release tension as it’s being stretched.
This is not a new concept. Thai massage involves deep muscle massage while stretching and is practiced on the floor using a firm mattress or a mat. It claims to promote various aspects of health & well-being. Thai Massage and Thai Medicine are said to have been founded by the legendary Shivago Komarpaj, a physician from over 2500 years ago. He was from northern India and was allegedly a friend and personal physician to the Buddha. Following World War II, Thailand became a popular place for tourists, which enabled Thai massages to become a world-known technique, reaching the United States in the late 1980s. Pilates offers various pieces of equipment to facilitate stretching. The Reformer and the Cadillac further allow the client to be in a stretched position while having traction. In holding positions with the muscles lengthened, sweeping motions with the massage gun can bring blood flow to the tight muscle group and assist in releasing tension. I set out to explore various ways to incorporate the massage gun with Pilates and practiced the techniques with select clients. As with any tactile touch therapy, obtaining the client’s consent is essential. Furthermore, I use the massage gun solely for general soreness, I do not apply it to any injured areas. It is important to avoid using the massage gun on any bones, joints, or over the vertebrae of the spine. I am also careful to communicate the appropriate level of pressure, and I encourage feedback throughout.
This concept works very well on the Reformer…………
Eme Cole earned a BS in Kinesiology, an MS in Exercise Physiology, and completed certifications through AFAA, ACSM, Gravity Training, and The PhysicalMind Institute. In 2002 she opened Pilates Plus Cross-Training Studio in Chicago, which she owned & operated for 12 years. Eme has authored 7 ‘Pilates Expanded’ books for instructors & advanced enthusiasts which are available on Amazon.com. You can also view over 150 innovative Pilates videos and join her subscribers at www.youtube.com/pilatesexpanded. Upon moving to the mountains, Eme invented and patented the multi-purpose, space-saving ‘Pilates Unfold’ machine and also became a certified Emergency Medical Technician. Currently residing in Snowmass CO, she offers online and onsite Pilates training/consulting, as well as Pilates retreats at her river home. Please visit www.PilatesExpanded.com to connect.
Eme has recently started posting one creatively challenging Pilates exercise per day on her new Instagram page @Pilates.Expanded and encourages others to join in with brief videos of Pilates inspiration at #OnePilatesMove.