Repercussion of the pilates method on symptoms caused by lumbar disc herniation

The lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a dysfunction that causes physical and functional limitations to patients, and may even be incapacitating. The Pilates method is a modality of physical exercise that, through stabilization of the spine, reduces pain and improves the quality of life of its practitioners. The objetctve was identify the repercussion of the benefits of the Pilates method on the symptoms caused by LDH. Study of the qualitative type; with a semi-structured interview was used, and the data were analyzed by the content analysis technique. Consisting of four patients, of both genders, diagnosed with lumbar disc hernia, who were performing treatment based on the Pilates method on a regular basis and over 18 years old. The following categories of analyses emerged: Pain and clinical diagnosis of LDH, the relation of lumbar pain with functional capacity, personal relationships and quality of life and repercussion of the Pilates method in health, daily life activities and quality of life of patients with LDH. Patients found that they had a lumbar disc herniation, pain episodes that led to limitations in activities of daily living, such as at work and home. Patients reported a significant improvement after treatment with the Pilates method, even failing to use analgesic drugs, reporting no pain. Patients with LDH presented severe pain, which in most cases led to a limitation in the execution of daily activities. However, after practice the Pilates method, they had a significant reduction in the painful picture and improvements in functionality.