The Fitness Pilates Blog

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) Fitness Pilates News

I hope you’ve had a fantastic week….even though iits been a hot and sweaty week!

One condition I don’t think we’ve covered before in the newsletter is polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). I asked in the Fitness Pilates Facebook group this week which orthopaedic and health conditions you are seeing most often in your classes, and PMR came up time and time again.

Training Update

We had a fantastic few days delivering both the Level 3 Reformer Qualification followed immediately by the Fitness Pilates Reformer Certification.

It was incredibly hot, but everyone worked so hard and the atmosphere was brilliant. Congratulations to everyone who attended – it was lovely spending time with you all and seeing your confidence grow throughout the training.

Music I’m Loving This Week

If you’re using the Pure Energy Music app, here are a few albums I’ve been enjoying recently:

Glow Up
Feel Good Flow
Songs for Savasana

There are also lots of new mind-body albums available, including beautiful peaceful piano tracks, relaxing instrumental music and track-by-track playlists that work perfectly for Fitness Pilates, stretching, breathwork and relaxation.

Have a listen and let me know which ones become your favourites.

Have You Booked Your Summit Place?

The Fitness Pilates Summit is getting close, and we now only have a handful of places remaining.

There are still spaces available on the pre-convention workshops, including:

HOT Fitness Pilates
Fitness Pilates Reformer

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory condition that causes pain, stiffness and reduced mobility, particularly in the shoulders, neck and hips. It mainly affects people over the age of 50 and is one of the more common inflammatory conditions you may come across in Fitness Pilates classes.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms include:

Severe stiffness first thing in the morning (often lasting more than 45 minutes)
Pain and aching in both shoulders
Hip pain and stiffness
Neck pain
Upper arm and thigh discomfort
Difficulty getting out of bed or rising from a chair
Fatigue
Feeling generally unwell
Occasionally a mild fever or weight loss

Many people describe it as feeling as though they’ve “aged overnight”.

What causes it?

The exact cause isn’t known, but it is thought to involve the immune system and inflammation. It isn’t caused by exercise or injury.

PMR is closely linked with Giant cell arteritis, a condition that affects blood vessels. Around 10–20% of people with PMR develop giant cell arteritis, which requires urgent medical attention.

Who gets it?

PMR is most common in:

Adults over 50 (especially over 65)
Women (around two to three times more often than men)
People of Northern European ancestry

Treatment

Most people are treated with:

Low-dose corticosteroids (usually Prednisolone)
Gradual reduction of medication over months or sometimes years
Regular monitoring by their GP or rheumatology team

Symptoms often improve dramatically within a few days of starting treatment.

Fitness Pilates considerations

Once someone has been medically cleared to exercise, Fitness Pilates can be very beneficial.

Focus on:

Gentle mobility work
Gradual improvements in shoulder and hip range of motion
Postural exercises
Core stability
Functional strength
Balance training
Breathing and relaxation

Be mindful that:

Morning classes may be more difficult because stiffness is often worst early in the day.
Flare-ups can happen, so encourage participants to work within a comfortable range.
Fatigue may vary from day to day.
Long-term steroid use can reduce bone density and muscle strength, so progressive strength work (within their ability) is particularly valuable.

Exercises that often work well

Pelvic tilts
Shoulder rolls
Thoracic mobility
Cat–cow
Hip circles
Bridge progressions
Bird dog
Standing balance work
Sit-to-stand practice
Controlled arm raises

When to advise medical review

If a participant with PMR develops any of the following, they should seek urgent medical advice:

A new severe headache
Jaw pain when chewing
Sudden changes in vision (blurred or double vision, or vision loss)
Scalp tenderness

These can be signs of giant cell arteritis and require immediate assessment.

Key takeaway for instructors

PMR responds well to appropriately adapted exercise. Your aim is not to “push through” stiffness, but to help participants move comfortably, maintain strength and mobility, and rebuild confidence in their movement as part of their overall management plan.

Have a fantastic week and whats app me with feedback or questions

I love to hear from you 07976 268672

Rachel Holmes

Rachel Holmes

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