How Pilates has benefited my Chartered Physiotherapy Practise?

Pilates has greatly benefited my Physiotherapy practise as well as benefiting me personally.

Firstly, being knowledgeable in Pilates and the different exercises involved in Pilates has equipped me with another valuable treatment tool. Pilates is very useful in therapeutic exercise prescription and choosing the most valuable and beneficial exercises to address the client’s particular physical problem.

Secondly, being a trained Pilates Instructor has increased my ability to identify abnormal patterns of movement in clients which may be contributing to their pain symptoms for example. When teaching Pilates, I am constantly observing the way people move to ensure that they are moving in the correct way. As a result I have become more observant in my clinical practice in recognising abnormal movements caused by muscles may be weak or overactive, joints which may be ‘stiff’ or overly mobile as well as issues relating to the nervous system’s control of the body.

Pilates has also increased my understanding of how the supporting or ‘core’ muscles work and how important these muscles are in preventing injury and the role these muscles play in rehabilitation.

Research has been completed the show the importance that these muscles play in preventing lower back pain as well as treating low back pain. One study conducted showed that a core exercise strengthening programme along with aerobic activity and flexibility exercises in clients with lower back pain due to disc injury with resultant leg symptoms helped statistically reduce pain and symptoms in 50 out of the 52 subjects. Hence, there was successful outcomes in 96% of the subjects in the study.

Also there is some research to prove that for the sporting population core strengthening exercises can enhance sports performance by increasing speed and improving balance and reducing the risk of injury.

In conclusion, Pilates has enhanced my ability to prescribe exercises for clients as well as improving my observation skills and increasing my understanding of the core muscles and how they work. It is a great way to move the body, improve flexibility as well as strengthen and condition the body.

If you are interested in trying Pilates for the first time please join us in one of our regular terms - Join a class.

Tricia.