What is Pilates?
Pilates is a system of low impact exercises that aims to increase muscle strength while improving flexibility and overall posture and alignment. Pilates tend to focus on the core but works all muscles groups. It is a full body workout. It will allow you to move efficiently while improving your posture, flexibility and overall mobility. Pilates exercises can be done on the floor with no equipment. This is known as mat work Pilates. More commonly though you would have heard of Pilates being performed on reformers. Reformers are like beds with springs and straps which will give you an added resistance or assistance – whichever you may need. Generally, these exercises are performed in large groups of 8 to 12 participants lead by an instructor taking everyone through the same set of exercises. The workouts will differ session to session, but everyone in the group will be doing the same program.
What is Clinical Pilates?
Clinical Pilates on the other hand are Pilates exercises prescribed to a client’s individual needs. They can be modified and adapted to your own specific conditions and abilities. Clinical Pilates exercises are designed to treat anyone with a wide range of injuries and conditions ranging from low back pain to joint injuries to pelvic floor conditions. The goal is to help activate muscles and to improve motor control that will aid recovery and return you to your optimal level of function. Instead of doing a general exercise program, your health professional will prescribe a tailored program specific to what your body needs. Clinical Pilates sessions are usually performed in small groups of up to 5 clients. In other words, Clinical Pilates takes a completely individualised approach, based on your own condition.
So, what is the most important difference between regular group Pilates classes and Clinical Pilates?
General Pilates exercises are run by a Pilates instructor while Clinical Pilates sessions are run by a Physiotherapist or an Exercise physiologist (EP). This is an important difference to note as physiotherapists and EPs are trained in the body’s movement patterns, injury prevention and rehabilitation for specific injuries. Our therapists are trained with The Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates institute.
Then, why are your sessions called Clinical Group Rehab Classes?
In addition to the above stated benefits of Clinical Pilates, we often need to take this a step further to address the functional strength and control of your body throughout more functional rehabilitation such as squat or lift retraining. We name our classes Clinical Rehab Groups because your individualised program may involve a combination of Clinical Pilates exercises in conjunction with some more traditional functional strengthening and technique retraining.
This ensures that we are always keeping relevant to your personal goals and that we are helping you to achieve them – whether this is to return to running or sport, return to gym confident with your technique and minimise your risk of injury or reinjury, to be able to lift your kids or grandkids, be confident with your posture or your functional lift at work, or even to improve your hip or knee pain with climbing stairs. The list is endless – as we said Your goal is Our goal!
Who can do Clinical Pilates or join our Clinical Rehab Groups?
You can! Do you have an office job and poor posture? Do you have low back pain?
Do you get headaches? Then our Clinical Rehab Groups can help. Are you pregnant and want to keep going with exercise in a safe manner? Have you had your baby and need to really work on that pelvic floor? Our Clinical Rehab Groups can help. You could have an ACL injury, an unstable shoulder or a stiff back limiting your golf swing. In all of these cases, our Clinical Rehab Groups can help.
What are some of the benefits of Clinical Pilates / Clinical Rehab Groups?
- Rehab post injury – No matter what your condition is, our therapists will do a thorough assessment and formulate an exercise program for you. Your program will be specific to your needs and abilities. Our therapists work closely with your GP and/ or surgeon to ensure optimal outcomes and to help you reach your recovery goals.
- Improves flexibility, stability and strength – Clinical Pilates not only targets your core but also includes exercises that strengthen and stretch your muscles.
- Improve pelvic floor function – Clinical Pilates targets all muscle groups including the pelvic floor. The exercises can be adapted while you are pregnant to promote a strong pelvic floor. Pelvic floor exercises are also important post labour and delivery – even if you had a caesarean! Our therapists understand that it’s not just new mothers that need pelvic floor exercises but that women of all ages can benefit from this strengthening and control.
- Posture awareness and correction – Sometimes less is more. Small changes to correct your posture in your everyday activities can go a long way.
Why choose us for Clinical Pilates / Clinical Rehab Classes?
Our therapists are committed to improving your pain and overall function, and will work closely and tirelessly with you to help you achieve your goals. We have an extensive wealth of Pilates, exercise therapy and physiotherapy experience to share with our clients. We strive to keep up to date with the latest research and many of our therapists have undergone further education and training, meaning your classes will be run with expertise and precision. We love to share our knowledge with our clients and educate our clients during classes, so whilst you are participating in your exercise therapy you are also gaining a clear understanding of why we are prescribing your specific exercises and how this will translate to your day to day mobility, strength, or functional goal. We ask questions, we listen to your questions, we educate, we track your progress, and we care about your outcome. This sets us apart from many other clinics that offer Clinical Pilates. We know we offer a great service and are proud to share it.
Sounds good. Now what?
If you think you will benefit from Clinical Pilates then we would love to help you. Give us a call on (03) 9580 1772 or book an assessment online through our website www.healthwisephysiotherapy.com.au