Developed in the early 20th Century by a clever German gentleman by the name of Joseph Pilates, Clinical Pilates is a system of safe and effective low impact exercises which target your all important stabilising core muscles.
Most Physiotherapists’ will argue that injury prevention is the key to a happy and healthy life, but of course that would put us out of business! Clinical Pilates is precisely that mantra, just in exercise form! Clinical Pilates is so wonderful because of its client diversity. It is effective for anyone from the most elite of athletes to exercise novices, to those wishing to rehabilitate and recondition post injury, or others who wish to continue on their wellness path towards strength, stability, and improve overall wellbeing. Your Physiotherapist will tailor your exercise program specifically taking into consideration your injury and weaknesses, and focuses on these to build strength, stability, improve balance and overall wellbeing.
Clinical Pilates is particularly effective as an adjunct to your weekly or bi-weekly hands on Physiotherapy treatment, and post treatment as a way to further your rehabilitation pathway towards an injury free and pain free life!
What is the difference between normal Pilates and Clinical Pilates?
It is important to know there is in fact a difference between normal Pilates and Clinical Pilates.
Normal Pilates is often run at a Gym or studio, where the instructor has undergone a short course in Pilates, often with no prior background in health and fitness.
With Clinical Pilates, your Physiotherapist will devise a program specific to your needs. This is extremely important because Physiotherapist’s have an extremely high level of knowledge of pathology of injury, injury management, treatment and prevention.
Clinical Pilates classes identifies these key weaknesses and carefully selects the exercises required to reach your goals while reducing the risk of injury.
Clinical Pilates has a strong emphasis on teaching you how to recruit and use your core stabilising muscles and educating you about correct spinal posture as well as working on any specific muscles which are weak or imbalanced.
I suffer from back pain. Is it safe for me?
Absolutely! If you are currently experiencing or have experienced back pain in the past there is a very high chance that your deep core muscles which are responsible for stabilising and protecting your spine are not working effectively.
Clinical Pilates focuses on the retraining and recruitment of the deep stabilising core muscles, relieving reliance on other structures to support you, and overworking other muscles. Clinical Pilates will not only assist with your back pain, but will improve posture, strength and flexibility.
I have arthritis. Would Clinical Pilates benefit me?
Yes it will. Clinical Pilates is a controlled low impact, and assists with joint mobility, without the aggravation and compressive forces caused by other forms of exercise.
Is it safe to do Clinical Pilates during my pregnancy?
Yes it is. Your physiotherapist will design a program specific to your needs which will be modified accordingly throughout your pregnancy.
I have not done any exercise for a while, would Clinical Pilates benefit me?
Yes! The beauty about Clinical Pilates is that your program is tailored to your needs, even if there are others in your class at different levels. You shouldn’t feel embarrassed about your fitness level, as the clutch point of Clinical Pilates is its low impact approach towards exercise. And you have to start up again at some point, right?
