The thing is, pilates and yoga – while both low-impact bodyweight workouts that focus on strength – do fundamentally different things to the body. “Pilates focuses on movements that require the use of significant stabilising muscles in the back and core”, Traina explains. Throughout those movements, controlled breath initiates the contraction of the abdominal muscles.

Yoga, on the other hand, “can improve your strength through postures and deep breaths which can increase blood flow. It takes a lot of muscular effort to hold your body in a balance pose”. So pilates is more about actively targeting those deep core muscles through movement and breath, while yoga builds strength through balance.

And the good news is that doing either can help to improve posture and avoid laptop-related pain. “Movements that focus on strengthening the muscles that support our spine, shoulders and lower back can help us to sit upright.” Traina says. They’re also useful for stretching out tight hips and relieving full-body tension. But, as ever, prevention is the best cure: “To help prevent these injuries at your desk, adjust your chair height, backrest and screen eye level to ensure you are at an optimum position to promote good posture in the spine”.

Yoga or pilates – which is best for lower back pain, and how long does it take to notice a difference?