Clinical Pilates

Health Craft Clinical Pilates/Reformer Pilates

If you enjoy exercising and trying different techniques to keep your body in shape, perhaps you’ve participated in Pilates. Many people have and have enjoyed the benefits they receive from this form of exercise, developed in the early 20th century and based on nine principles like breathing, concentration, control, and more.

But did you know that there’s a form of “clinical” Pilates, prescribed and supervised by trained physiotherapists, that’s designed to treat a huge variety of conditions and injuries? Unlike regular Pilates in which you might participate in a gym or other exercise facility, Clinical Pilates is led by your physiotherapist, an individual that’s well trained in the specifics of movement and has a in-depth knowledge of anatomy, pathology, healing, and more.

Why choose Clinical Pilates?

Generally used in conjunction with other physiotherapy treatments, Clinical Pilates can benefit individuals suffering from a number of different conditions, including or related to:

• Back, spine, and neck issues, possibly related to issues such as poor posture, fatigue, or tension
• Sports-related injuries
• Repetitive stress injuries
• Muscle strains
• Joint injuries
• Pre- and post-natal weakness, aches, and pain
• Arthritis
• Stiffness or hypermobility
• Hip, leg, and ankle injuries
• Pelvic floor function
• Enhancement in movement, balance, agility, and flexibility for the elderly
• Falls prevention
• Muscle toning without adding bulk
• Increased bone density

Some of our patients enjoy doing Clinical Pilates simply to enhance their general health and well-being, even if they’re not dealing with a particular issue. It’s an excellent non-impact stretching and strengthening program for individuals who simply want to improve themselves physically.

How is it done?

Clinical Pilates is performed on a yoga-type mat and sometimes on a Pilates reformer, which looks like a bed with springs, ropes, pulleys, and a sliding carriage. Your physiotherapist will decide which option is best for you.

In order to begin your Clinical Pilates program, one of our team of physiotherapists will assess your current health and condition and design a group of exercises that will be most beneficial to you. This might be just one or two exercises that take just a few minutes, or an entire group of exercises that will be a major part of your rehabilitation or strengthening program.

You will be monitored to be sure that you are doing the exercises correctly so as to avoid further injury or stress. Once you feel confident, you may be able to advance to an independent program and may graduate to more advanced exercises. This will all be determined by the injury or disorder being addressed as well as your overall health.