Pilates is often the prescription for reducing back pain, but occasionally, I will get a patient who complains about an increase in back pain with Pilates. If you are experiencing back pain or low back stiffness during or after a Pilates session be aware that you are probably overusing your hip flexors instead of properly engaging your deep abdominal muscles. During exercises such as The Hundreds or Single Leg Stretches your abdominals are fatiguing and your hip flexors are taking over.
To avoid the problem, choose less challenging abdominal exercises (a simple chest lift with your legs resting on an exercise ball is a good place to start)or take a break as soon as you feel the work happening in your low back instead of in the lower abdominal area (just above your pubic bone).