A qualitative study exploring the ritual-like activity and therapeutic relationship between Pilates teachers and clients with persistent low back pain
A qualitative study exploring the ritual-like activity and therapeutic relationship between Pilates teachers and clients with persistent low back pain
Background and purpose: Pilates is a commonly recommended exercise modality for the management of persistent low back pain. Whilst guidelines recommend the use of exercise for low back pain, research suggests that no one exercise is superior, creating a question over the mechanism of effect. The patient-practitioner relationship may be important in managing low back pain; however, the relationship between Pilates teachers and clients is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to identify the components of the relationship between Pilates teachers and clients with persistent low back pain, explore key influences on the relationship, and ascertain the nature of the relationship.
Method: we conducted a qualitative, ethnographically-informed study at eight sites in the South of England, observing 24 Pilates sessions and interviewing 9 Pilates teachers and 10 clients with persistent low back pain. Fieldnotes and interview transcripts were analysed thematically.
Results: the findings demonstrate a complex, multi-faceted interaction that occurs during Pilates sessions, grounded within certain health perceptions, and predicated on expectations of individuality, choice and expertise. A key finding reveals the perceived importance of mastery of prescribed movements with control and precision, in which clients particularly value the authority of the teacher in a directive learning environment.
Conclusion: we contend that the role of the Pilates teacher in this study facilitated the alleviation of clients’ distress through the application of ritual-like Pilates activity. We conclude that the relationship between Pilates teachers and clients with persistent low back pain may be considered a therapeutic relationship.
Back pain management, Ethnographic, Low back pain, Pilates exercise, Ritual, Therapeutic relationship, United Kingdom
25-37
Godfrey, Nicola
b307c1eb-6e11-42d1-905d-6ff7d62e4dff
Donovan-Hall, Maggie
5f138055-2162-4982-846c-5c92411055e0
Roberts, Lisa
0a937943-5246-4877-bd6b-4dcd172b5cd0
January 2024
Godfrey, Nicola
b307c1eb-6e11-42d1-905d-6ff7d62e4dff
Donovan-Hall, Maggie
5f138055-2162-4982-846c-5c92411055e0
Roberts, Lisa
0a937943-5246-4877-bd6b-4dcd172b5cd0
Godfrey, Nicola, Donovan-Hall, Maggie and Roberts, Lisa
(2024)
A qualitative study exploring the ritual-like activity and therapeutic relationship between Pilates teachers and clients with persistent low back pain.
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 37, .
(doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.11.004).
Abstract
Background and purpose: Pilates is a commonly recommended exercise modality for the management of persistent low back pain. Whilst guidelines recommend the use of exercise for low back pain, research suggests that no one exercise is superior, creating a question over the mechanism of effect. The patient-practitioner relationship may be important in managing low back pain; however, the relationship between Pilates teachers and clients is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to identify the components of the relationship between Pilates teachers and clients with persistent low back pain, explore key influences on the relationship, and ascertain the nature of the relationship.
Method: we conducted a qualitative, ethnographically-informed study at eight sites in the South of England, observing 24 Pilates sessions and interviewing 9 Pilates teachers and 10 clients with persistent low back pain. Fieldnotes and interview transcripts were analysed thematically.
Results: the findings demonstrate a complex, multi-faceted interaction that occurs during Pilates sessions, grounded within certain health perceptions, and predicated on expectations of individuality, choice and expertise. A key finding reveals the perceived importance of mastery of prescribed movements with control and precision, in which clients particularly value the authority of the teacher in a directive learning environment.
Conclusion: we contend that the role of the Pilates teacher in this study facilitated the alleviation of clients’ distress through the application of ritual-like Pilates activity. We conclude that the relationship between Pilates teachers and clients with persistent low back pain may be considered a therapeutic relationship.
Text
manuscript. therapeutic relationship in pilates revised.Accepted draft
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Restricted to Repository staff only until 14 November 2024.
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More information
Accepted/In Press date: 6 November 2023
e-pub ahead of print date: 14 November 2023
Published date: January 2024
Additional Information:
Funding Information:
The authors would like to thank Rob Shannon for his help in the preliminary stages of the study.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Elsevier Ltd
Keywords:
Back pain management, Ethnographic, Low back pain, Pilates exercise, Ritual, Therapeutic relationship, United Kingdom
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 485673
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/485673
ISSN: 1360-8592
PURE UUID: 1ef8b702-b8b2-4a78-a458-5ec7d0365e8e
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Date deposited: 13 Dec 2023 17:43
Last modified: 18 Mar 2024 02:43
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Author:
Nicola Godfrey
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