Back problems

[Itscurtainsforyou]

I have a history of back problems, but not had a major issue (with bad pain, ruptured disks etc) for a few years.

I'm generally very stiff in my back, especially in the mornings (to the extent that first thing I struggle to twist around to wipe my bum!) and do avoid lifting heavy things etc to protect it.

Can anyone give me advice on anything I can do to try to loosen up my back? I tried Pilates in the past but not sure it made a difference.

You need to try body control Pilates.
Try and get a couple of one to one lessons so they can really focus on your issues with your back.
They will also teach you to do specific stretches for alleviate the stiffness.
I spent a fortune getting my back better and it was the only thing that made a lasting difference

Another vote for 121 lessons. After years of pilates lessons, Yoga made a massive difference for me. I honestly think though, its mostly due to the teacher. It takes someone who can get you to realise the (possibly tiny) change that is required to make the difference.

Like you, i wake up quite stiff and often had issues with my back. I now have a routine (yoga, but which draws heavily on tai chi) which takes max ten minutes which really loosens me up all over. I feel much better all day when i have done.

The real difference was to find a teacher who could get me to know whether I was properly aligned. All yoga/pilates etc claims to do this, but until you know what it means in your own body, like me, you can just keep doing the (only slightly) wrong stuff that made me use the wrong muscles hence keep on hurting my back.

If you are anywhere just west/south out of London, Ill happy pass on details of the teacher who worked for me.