Pilates Research: Effectiveness of Pilates Exercise on Low Back Pain
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined whether Pilates helps reduce pain and functional disability in people with low back pain. The search returned 1566 records of which 36 articles were included in the systematic review and 19 in the meta-analysis. 22 studies compared the effects of Pilates exercise vs no exercise and 13 studies examined the effects of Pilates exercise vs non-specific exercise. Analysis showed that Pilates had a positive effect on the perception of LBP vs no exercise. A similar trend occurred with non-specific exercise.
Key Findings
Pilates reduced low back pain more than doing no exercise.
Pilates also showed improvements in functional disability, meaning participants were better able to perform daily activities.
When compared to general or non-specific exercise, Pilates showed a positive effect, though the difference was smaller.
Overall, the study supports Pilates as a safe, non-pharmacological option for managing low back pain symptoms.
Why It Matters
Low back pain is one of the most common causes of disability worldwide. This analysis adds meaningful evidence that Pilates can be an effective movement-based approach to support both pain reduction and improved physical function.
