FlowPilates and lumbar disc herniation or bulge
This is how FlowMat builds pilates classes for a student with lumbar disc herniation or bulge. They are the app's real rules, reviewed by a medical committee: what isn't recommended is never suggested, and what needs care comes with a warning for the teacher.
500 exercises in the catalog
Guidance for the class
Exercises FlowMat does not suggest
These are 15 of the catalog's exercises that FlowMat keeps out of the class when this condition is present.
and 3 more in the app's catalog.
Exercises that come with a warning
Examples of exercises that do appear, with the guidance the teacher gets.
Only roll down as far as you can control your abs, and stop if you feel pain or tension in your lower back.
Only roll back halfway while keeping your pelvis neutral, and stop if you feel pain or leg radiation.
Keep your lower back long and stable, starting the curve from your head without forcing your low back.
Use a minimal extension range and keep the abdominals strongly engaged to protect the disc.
Use the easy variation, lowering only the heel with the knee bent, without straightening the leg.
Rotate only your trunk without moving your pelvis, and avoid arching your lower back.
Keep the pelvis neutral, avoid pulling the leg forcefully, and prioritize the band variation.
Keep your lower back pressed into the mat and use a smaller hip-flexion range.
Keep your pelvis neutral and lift your leg only as far as you can control without arching your lower back.
Keep the rocking limited to the ball's support and stop if you feel sharp pain or leg radiation.
Avoid rounding the low back; bend the knees more if you feel lumbar tension.
Keep your pelvis stable without arching your lower back, and stop if you feel pain or leg radiation.
and 132 more in the app's catalog.
Medical clearance
- It asks for medical clearance if there are neurological symptoms.
Frequently asked questions
Can you do pilates with lumbar disc herniation or bulge?
It depends on each person and on what their treating doctor says. FlowMat does not replace that judgment: it helps the teacher plan the class, avoiding what isn't recommended with lumbar disc herniation or bulge and flagging what needs care.
What does FlowMat do with exercises that are not recommended?
It never suggests them when building the class, and they don’t show up as a replacement when you swap an exercise either.
Can I change the class FlowMat builds?
Yes. You can swap, remove, add or reorder exercises and adjust the reps. The catalog only offers exercises that are safe for the student.