Should I still continue Pilates before my surgery?

Surgery is without a doubt a trauma to the body. It's a purposeful trauma that's used to correct an issue, but still a trauma. After experiencing a trauma, the body can reset itself in a way. Depending on how extensive the surgery is, that reset could be relatively minor or something major. Regardless, it's important for the body to be in a strong position, so the reset isn't nearly as consequential. If your body is weak and unfit, getting into shape can be a struggle. However, having an extremely strong foundation in place before having the surgery performed will allow the reset to be a much more simple and straightforward process. Pilates can help get you in that position.

There are two different approaches to preparing a body for surgery. The first is just overall health. Even though surgery typically focuses on a specific area of the body, it's important for the entire body to be strong beforehand. Of course, the part being operated on will be the weakest post surgery and face the biggest reset. But the body as a whole doesn't have to suffer during recovery, depending on the severity of the surgery. While recovering, movement will be very limited. You won't be doing nearly as many physical activities as you were prior. So the body will face some overall decline. Making sure that the entire body is in a good starting position beforehand is the best way to minimize that damage. 

Then, of course, the other approach is strengthening around the particular area of the body that needs surgery. This may seem like a bit of a no-brainer, but it's important to understand that no part of the body works in isolation. Around each vulnerable area is a series of muscles, ligaments, and tendons that support that area and need to be strong as well. A weakened hip needs a strong back and core just as a weakened shoulder needs a strong tricep and bicep. Understanding how the body compensates itself during an injury will help inform how best to strengthen it for surgery. So even if you know surgery is on the horizon, that doesn't mean you should stop your Pilates practice. Quite the opposite. Continuing your practice and strengthening your body both as a whole and focusing on any damaged areas will ensure you're in the best possible position for a smooth and seamless recovery.