Yoga vs Pilates

Many Americans today suffer from various chronic pain disorders. Back pain, fibromyalgia, migraines and other forms of chronic pain cause them reoccurring pain on a day to day basis. Some doctors suggest that their patients incorporate some physical activity into their daily routines, in addition to their medications. The most common forms of physical activity suggested by a health professional included Yoga and the Pilates method as two of the top choices; they are encouraged because they both include physical activity with meditation and breathing. Physical activity is good for chronic pain suffers, it has been proven to decrease depression and anxiety therefore improving the patients overall mood and physical condition.
According to Mosby's Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, & Health Professions Yoga is a “discipline that focuses on the body’s musculature, posture, breathing mechanisms, and consciousness. The goal of yoga is attainment of physical and mental well-being through mastery of the body, achieved through exercise, holding of postures, proper breathing, and meditation.” Effective yoga for chronic pain interventions tend to incorporate a wide range of traditional yoga practices. Because chronic pain is a mind-body phenomenon, many researchers and chronic-pain sufferers are turning to yoga for pain relief. Yoga integrates physical movement, which can play an important role in pain recovery, with mindful practices that address the cognitive and emotional components of pain.
According to Mosby's Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, & Health Professions the Pilates method is ”a gentle but focused exercise-based system that tones, stretches, and strengthens the body in a non-impact, balanced system of body-mind exercise and mobilizes the body to move with maximum efficiency and minimum effort. This method can achieve an improvement of body alignment and breathing, increased body awareness, and efficient and graceful movement.” Unlike many other