The Fitness Pilates Blog

What Is Lymphoedema – and Can Fitness Pilates Help? Fitness Pilates News

Good morning everyone,

I hope you’ve had a great week.

It’s been an interesting September.

While many of us expected September to bring jam-packed classes as soon as the schools went back, it seems that everyone without school-age children disappeared on holiday instead!

Only now are we starting to see people returning and getting back into their normal routines.

So, if you’ve experienced a slower start to September than you expected, you’re definitely not alone. I’m sure we’ll start to see more clients returning to classes now as we head into October.

Of course, every year is different and every area of the UK is different, so it’s always interesting to hear what’s happening with your classes.

FITNESS PILATES MODERN CLASSICAL – LIVE TODAY

If you fancy joining me for a class today, I’m teaching a rare LIVE Fitness Pilates Masterclass on Zoom at 7:30am.

Fitness Pilates Modern Classical is the masterclass I taught at the Fitness Pilates Summit last weekend.

Come and join me live on Zoom, or if you can’t make the live session, you can get the replay and notes afterwards. Details are below.

FITNESS PILATES SUMMIT PLAYLISTS

I’ve had lots of questions about the music we used at the Fitness Pilates Summit, so here are the albums we used:

Fitness Pilates Sculpt – Heatwave

Mini Ball Movement – Feel Good Flow

Kelly’s Flow State – Beach Opera

Modern Classical – Acoustic Playlist

I’m still using Heatwave and Beach Opera a lot and there’s some fantastic music on the new releases for creating fresh Fitness Pilates, strength, mobility and conditioning ideas.

If you haven’t tried the PE app download it and get a 2 week free trial.

This week I had a client tell me about her Lymphoedema so I thought we could talk about it in todays newsletter.

What Is Lymphoedema – and Can Fitness Pilates Help?

Lymphoedema is a long-term condition that causes swelling when the lymphatic system is unable to drain fluid effectively from the tissues.

It most commonly affects an arm or leg, although other areas of the body can be affected. Symptoms can include swelling, heaviness, tightness, aching, reduced movement and changes to the skin.

Fitness Pilates cannot cure lymphoedema, but appropriately prescribed exercise and regular movement can form part of its management. Muscle contractions during movement help support lymph flow, while exercise can maintain strength, mobility, balance and general fitness.

Fitness Pilates exercises to consider

Depending on where the lymphoedema is located and the individual’s medical guidance, gentle exercises could include:

Diaphragmatic breathing
Shoulder rolls and shoulder mobility
Gentle arm circles
Wrist and hand movements
Opening and closing the hands
Ankle circles
Ankle pumps
Heel raises
Seated or standing knee lifts
Sit-to-stand
Gentle squats
Supported lunges
Pelvic tilts
Cat/cow or four-point spinal mobility
Gentle thoracic rotation
Bridges
Low-level resistance-band exercises
Light resistance training that is progressed gradually

Resistance exercise can often be introduced safely, but it should be progressed appropriately and according to the individual’s clinical advice.

What should be avoided or modified?

Rather than banning particular exercises, be cautious with:

Suddenly introducing heavy resistance
Large increases in training volume or intensity
Exercising through pain or significant discomfort
Exercises that cause excessive pressure, rubbing or irritation to affected skin
Very hot exercise environments if heat noticeably worsens swelling
Continuing an exercise when swelling, heaviness or tightness noticeably increases
Removing a prescribed compression garment for exercise without advice from the person’s lymphoedema team

If you’re teaching Fitness Pilates, progress gradually rather than going from very little upper- or lower-body loading straight into high repetitions or heavy resistance.

A useful message for Fitness Pilates teachers

Think:

Breathe – mobilise – activate – strengthen – progress.

Fitness Pilates can provide a controlled environment where participants work on breathing, mobility, posture and progressive strength.

The important distinction is that we aren’t treating lymphoedema with Pilates. We’re providing appropriate exercise for somebody who is living with lymphoedema, ideally alongside guidance from their lymphoedema specialist or healthcare professional.

Hope that helps 🙂

Feel free to share with your clients

Have a fantastic week

Rachel

I love to hear from you 07976 268672

Watch the Fitness Pilates summit vlog here: