Clinical Pilates is a system of safe and effective exercises which meet your specific individual needs. Clinical Pilates is used by our physiotherapists to treat a wide range of injuries and conditions, ranging from low back pain and chronic pain to hypermobility and chronic fatigue syndrome. It is also used by elite athletes and dancers to improve essential movement patterns and enhance fitness and performance, as well as assisting with injury prevention. By working into your body’s preferred movement, Clinical Pilates improves your mobility, stability, balance, posture and overall function.
Clinical Pilates offers a system of safe, effective and highly specific exercises appropriate for all ages and people. There are stages of exercises that you can progress through and will allow you to see the improvements in your strength, control and healing.
Differences between Regular and Clinical Pilates
There are important differences between regular Pilates and Clinical Pilates.
Regular Pilates is conducted by a Pilates instructor, whereas Clinical Pilates is prescribed and supervised by a Clinical Pilates trained Physiotherapist or Exercise Physiologist (E.P.). This difference is very important because a Physiotherapist or E.P., unlike a Pilates instructor, has an in-depth knowledge of injury, pathology, bodily function, healing and movement patterns. This knowledge allows a Physiotherapist to assess each patient and determine which exercises will be the most effective for each individual. This becomes especially important if you have any history of injury – whether it be low back pain, whiplash, osteoporosis, or if you are an athlete coming back from an injury. There will be certain exercises which need to be adapted specifically for you so to avoid further injury; this is something that only a Physiotherapist or Exercise Physiologist is trained to do. Like any form of exercise, Pilates can be wonderful for fitness, however still has the potential to cause injury or pain if not prescribed and monitored in the right way.
Benefits of Clinical Pilates
Clinical Pilates has been shown to prevent injuries, improve balance and stability, strengthen and tone muscle and improve bone density. It is a great form of general exercise to improve fitness and improve technique in specific movements, such as dance, running and golf. It is appropriate for all age groups from kids through to the elderly and is safe and fun!
- Prevention and treatment of back pain & injury
- Resolution of spinal pain
- Enhanced core stability and pelvic floor function
- For the elderly, enhancement in movement, balance, agility and flexibility
- Falls prevention
- Muscle toning without adding bulk
- Increased bone density (for Osteopaenia & Osteoporosis)
For more information, please do not hesitate to give our staff a call and find out more about the amazing benefits of Clinical Pilates at FirstIn Physio!