"Physio Assessment at St Helens Hospital"

I am a 64 year old woman who has arthritis, sciatica, tendonitis and fibromyalgia. Following my recent excellent assessment session about which I have written separate feedback I want to offer feedback about my experience of following up the physio's suggestion that I take up Pilates.

I went to Pilates last night at Ruskins gym last night and found even getting into the initial positions in order to carry out the exercises was excrutiating - I could hardly walk after the class. Lying on my side, doing press ups and balancing on one arm and leg are not realistic for me. As a member of the local Fibromylagia support group I wrote about my experience at Pilates on their Facebook page and have had a stream of responses from other people with Fibromyalgia saying that they find Pilates similarly triggers inflammation and pain. Some people with fibromyalgia may benefit from Pilates but for many I think it would need to be run by health professionals who have the knowledge and understanding to adapt the exercises.

Also I'd recommend the use of very thick cushioning mats as the fibromyalgia sufferers I know say any kind of pressure immediately causes a flare up of their condition. I have been in pain all day today though I nonetheless managed to walk 2 miles. Walking generally does not exacerbate fibro unless it is strenuous.

People in the local support group asked me to feed back my experiences of Pilates to the physiotherapy department and I have no doubt some members of the local support group would be delighted to come along and talk to health professionals about how Fibromyalgia affects them.