Why are some Physiotherapists Trained in Pilates?
When you have an injury first step may be to see your GP depending on the severity you may then be referred to a Physiotherapist. Physiotherapy is beneficial for pain relief, achieving full range of movement and resuming full function. However, after you are discharged it can be difficult to continue an exercise program independently. More often than not the underlying muscle imbalance and poor movement strategies remain and it may only be a matter of time before your injury or pain returns.
Maintaining strength, posture, flexibility and muscle balance is a great way to prevent a repeat injury. Pilates is a great form of exercise to maintain all of these things as it is low impact and gentle on the joints so there is little danger of it putting pressure on an injured area.
A physiotherapist trained in Pilates has the additional knowledge to incorporate Pilates into your rehabilitation process so you can start to work with them to build strength, flexibility and balanced muscle tone in the initial rehabilitation phase.
We embrace this philosophy and in doing so we have developed the following three stage process.
Stage one – initial rehabilitation with physiotherapy
Physiotherapists use manual physiotherapy treatments such as joint mobilisation, soft tissue massage, electrotherapy, home exercise programs to aid rehabilitation and an introduction to Pilates exercises on equipment (called Physio-Pilates). This is for clients with an acute injury or who are referred by a doctor, surgeon, or other healthcare professional.
Stage two – rehabilitation and conditioning with Physio-Pilates
Physiotherapists use a combination of traditional physiotherapy treatments listed in stage one along with Pilates exercises to improve your strength and flexibility so you can stay pain free. Physiotherapists identify poor movement strategies and muscle imbalances and work closely with clients on their specific needs. High priority is educating our clients on how to move well and modify their exercise to suit their abilities.
Stage three – fitness conditioning and strength building with Pilates
When you become pain free and have reached an optimum state of health you can move on to either Pilates group classes or private sessions. This will ensure you maintain and improve your strength, flexibility and posture in a safe environment. Our Pilates instructors are highly qualified and are educated in teaching clients with prior injuries. Modification can be made to exercises to ensure people of all levels can benefit from Pilates.
Focus Pilates uses this concept and has four physiotherapists trained in Pilates to ensure your rehabilitation is more effective. After treatment you can continue with Pilates in a group class or one-on-one sessions to ensure you stay injury free and in an optimum state of health.
Tags: Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention
Written by: Focus Pilates
