Recently, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a chronic muscle and soft tissue pain syndrome. One of my osteopathic doctors told me that if I hadn’t been doing Pilates (and yoga), I would not be able to get on and off examining table. As a matter of fact, when patients come to see him because of pain, he often recommends Pilates as a method of treatment.

While it certainly helps with physical problems, you will find many other positive rewards when you start integrating Pilates into your exercise program.

#1 Benefit of Pilates – Strong Core Pilates focuses on strengthening your deep abdominal muscles, your back and your butt. This results in greater pelvic stability and less likelihood that you will sustain an injury in your back. You will also enjoy having a flat, toned and sleek tummy.

#2 Benefit of Pilates - Improved Posture Pilates works to lengthen spinal compression that you might be developing, especially as you grow older or spend long hours hunched over in front of a computer. Many of us spend a great part of day with our shoulders slumped forward. Pilates encourages you to lengthen back of your neck and to slide your shoulder blades back and down. This encourages better postural alignment and allows you to stand and sit straighter and taller.

Sinusitis

Simply put, sinusitis is inflammation of lining of your sinuses.

Sinuses

The sinuses are located behind eyes, cheeks, and jaw. They are chambers in which mucous is produced to clean out bacteria that we take in every day through mouth and nose. The mucous moves along cilia, which are tiny, moving hairs that maneuver mucous. Sinusitis creates difficulties for sinuses as they try to do their job, because cilia cease to move and sinuses either produce too much mucous or too little.

Possible Causes

Sinusitis can be caused in a variety of ways. The inflammation of sinus lining is sensitive to changes in temperature or humidity, and often swimming, diving, extreme changes in temperature, and smoking will set off inflammation. The reason these things can cause sinusitis is that they create a friendly environment for bacteria and viruses.

For example, smoking paralyzes cilia, causing sinuses to think that there are bacteria or a virus and to produce more mucous. Since cilia cannot move, mucous just sits there, congests, and becomes a breeding ground for more bacteria, creating a sinus infection. Stagnant water or liquid buildup from water activities can produce similar effects. Or, if a virus has already infected sinuses and swelling occurs, then produced mucous will build up even more. Sinusitis is just beginning of any nasal problem.