In the movie "The Wizard of Oz," the Tin Man requires an oil can to move his joints. The fluid-filled bursa sac is the human version of the oil can. The fluid lubricates your joints and facilitates freedom of movement. A large bursa sac sits over the bony prominence of each of your hips. Overuse, misuse or injury may inflame the bursa, causing hip bursitis. Pilates exercise may either exacerbate or help rehabilitate the condition.
Symptoms
Hip bursitis begins with a pain in the hip that eventually radiates to your outer thigh. The pain may intensify in Pilates class when you perform the side-lying leg exercise series. Some people experience the pain in the working leg, while others feel it in the supporting leg. Exercises such as the supine single-leg circle or any Pilates apparatus exercise that uses your legs against the resistance of the springs may either cause pain or a clicking sensation in your hips, says certified Pilates instructor Elaine Ewing, owner of Rhinebeck Pilates.
Causes
Tracing the exact causes of hip bursitis may require the expert eye of a doctor or physical therapist, but possibilities include faulty postural alignment, incorrect form, repetitive motion or underlying diseases such as arthritis or infection. The sudden popularity of home-based Pilates equipment and videos may take partial responsibility. Pilates exercise requires absolute precision and meticulous form. When performed correctly, each exercise requires no more than 10 repetitions. Using a no-pain/no-gain approach to Pilates exercise defeats the purpose of the method.
Early Treatment
Severe hip bursitis may require require complete rest until the inflammation subsides. Your doctor may recommend ice packs, applied for 15 to 20 minutes every six hours, as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Avoid any movement that requires external hip rotation, says
Karena Thek Lineback, author of "OsteoPIlates." This includes sitting with your legs crossed, or any movement that rotates your leg so your knee and foot turn away from the center of your body.
Pilates Modifications
When your doctor tells you it is safe to return to regular exercise, begin with a modified version of your previous Pilates program. Perform exercises such as the supine single-leg circle using a bent knee, rather than a straight-leg position. Keep a small range of motion. "Trace a quarter on the ceiling" was the initial cue for the leg-circle exercise, so avoid exaggerated movements. If you use the Pilates equipment, minimize the number of resistance springs until the bursitis is completely healed.
