Almost everyone deals with back pain at some point. Long hours sitting, poor posture, a weak core: the back takes the strain, then lets us know. Practised correctly, Pilates is one of the gentlest and most effective ways to ease back tension and prevent it from coming back — provided you're well guided.
Why the back hurts
Most "common" back pain doesn't come from serious injury but from imbalance: a core (deep abdominals, pelvic floor, back muscles) that no longer supports the spine enough, posture that collapses, hips and shoulders that have lost their mobility. The body compensates — and the lower back usually pays the price.
How Pilates works
Pilates doesn't mask pain: it addresses its mechanical causes. A well-adapted practice works on three essential levers:
- The core: deeply strengthen the muscles that stabilise the spine, so it's supported in every everyday movement.
- Mobility: restore range to the hips, ribcage and spine, so the lower back isn't the only thing moving.
- Posture and body awareness: relearn how to hold yourself, breathe, and distribute load — standing, sitting, moving.
It's measured, foundational work that often brings relief from the very first sessions and builds over time.
Our approach in La Tour-de-Peilz
At Espace Pilates 1814 there's no generic class. Everything starts with a postural assessment: we look at your back, your support points, your habits, and build a bespoke programme — private or in a very small group (max 3 people). Sabrina Tissot has taught Pilates since 2003 and is an Eldoa practitioner (Guy Voyer method) — spinal self-stretching postures that restore space between the vertebrae, especially valuable for sensitive backs.
Three principles for a happier back
- Breathe to release: a full, rib-cage breath that gently mobilises the spine and eases tension.
- Brace without locking: engage the core in a stable way, without clenching — strength comes from control, not contraction.
- Move often, gently: the spine loves regular, progressive movement far more than stillness or brute effort.
Live on the Riviera and want lasting relief for your back? The best first step is an assessment: we look together at where the tension comes from, and build the right starting point.