Title: 
Mountain Climbing and Pilates: Taking Your Health to New Heights

Word Count:
542

Summary:
Mounting climbing has become a craze, if not an obsession, to most people all over the world.  It is important that one is physically fit  before engaging in this activity to avoid serious injuries.  Pilates, a physical fitness method based on Contrology, can greatly help in strengthening the body and improving one's flexibility.


Keywords:
back pain relief, muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory drugs, low back pain


Article Body:
It has become a craze for a lot of people all over the world.  Mountain climbing is no longer a simple activity of getting to the top but has become a challenge, or even an obsession, to most nature trippers, as well as to a number of sports enthusiasts.  Others do it as an engaging diversion from the rigors of daily work and home routines.  Those who are obsessed with it are compelled to master one discipline of mountain climbing to another.  There's just no stopping them in their pursuit of satisfaction and learning.

However, many mountain climbers are prone to serious injuries. Some even die either due these injuries or caused by climbing-related and weather-related accidents such as avalanches which happen in most mountain ranges.  These can be avoided by strengthening the muscles as well as being aware about nature conditions of the place.

As a climber, it is important to develop fitness, strength and flexibility to reduce the risk of low back pain and other injuries.  it will also help improve your climbing skills.  The more you climbed and the higher you get, the more prone you are to injuries.  The ability to maintain uniform muscle balance in the forearms, upper arms, and shoulders prevents overuse injuries.  It is possible that you will have overly developed back muscles and under-developed rotator cuff muscles which may cause shoulder injuries.  On the other hand, over-developed flexors of the forearms and wrist together with under-developed extensor muscles may result to elbow injuries.  To avoid climbing-related injuries, an effective  Pilates cross-training routine is developed to boost abdominals, hips, and back strength.  This program can also improve flexibility, restore over-all muscle balance, strengthening non-climbing muscles, and stretching climbing muscles.

Pilates is a physical fitness program developed by Joseph Pilates based on a method called Contrology.  This method makes use of the mind to control the muscles.  According to Pilates, this method is not just a collection of exercises but a program developed and refined through the years based on the principles of Centering, Concentration, Control, Precision, Breathing, and Flowing Movement.  Pilates method focuses on the core postural muscles responsible for keeping the body balanced as it provides support for the spine.  It develops awareness of breath and alignment of the spine, strengthening the deep torso muscles, which are very helpful in back pain relief and prevention of back injuries.

During the First World War, Joseph Pilates proposed the idea of improving the rehabilitation program of soldiers returning from battle.   Since it is important that both mental and physical health are in good condition in order for injured soldiers to rebuild strength.  Joseph Pilates suggested that a good exercise program should put emphasis in control and form based on strengthening, stretching, and stabilizing the key muscles.

Injuries not only cause pain but can also limit your movement.  Treatments may vary depending on the severity of the injury.  Medications such as muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory drugs can somehow alleviate pain.  It is advised to include bed rest, physical therapy, or surgery.  Maintaining a healthy diet, ideal body weight, lifting objects with your legs and using lower-back support when you sit can help prevent back injuries.  Always consult professional medical providers for advice regarding proper medication and treatment.


