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Why do you go to Pilates class? Is it to improve movement, strength, and control? Pilates converts will know that classes can give you lean muscles, more perfect posture, improved flexibility and
circulation. A traditional Pilates class may be accomplishing those things, but Clinical Pilates can take you a step further. Clinical Pilates, also known as Physical Therapy Based Pilates, focuses each session on the correction of a problem presented by you. Traditional Pilates does not take into account an individual’s injuries, pathologies, or specific physical needs while Clinical Pilates addresses you as an individual. Here are three ways that Clinical Pilates can help alleviate your pain when traditional Pilates has failed to do so:
1. Creates an individual program
One of the most obvious differences with Clinical Pilates is the one-on-one approach. During your session, you will be the only patient working with your Pilates instructor. You will not be double booked and will get the individual attention that you deserve. Your instructor will guide you through each exercise, coaching and assisting as you go along to ensure you get the best exercise possible. No slacking off in this class!
2. Incorporates Physiotherapy treatment as a part of the program
As part of the Clinical Pilates program, you will have a world renowned physiotherapist working closely with your Pilates instructor. This type of "team treatment" allows our physiotherapist to use their knowledge to diagnose and provide treatment recommendations while our skilled Pilates instructor works to find any weaknesses and adapt exercises. Rather than just focusing on getting you physically fit, they want to make sure you are doing the exercises correctly, avoiding future injuries in the process. Your instructor will also modify and adjust typical Pilates exercises to meet your individual needs based on a clinical assessment from a physiotherapist. No one-size-fits all here, you are an individual with your own needs and pain, and a Clinical Pilates instructor will honor that to the best of their ability by designing a program specifically for you. Here at Actify, you get two sets of highly trained eyes: the physiotherapist and the Pilates instructor work closely together for you!
3. Has the ability to make specific changes to the Pilates program if there is an injury flare up
By working with a physiotherapist, Clinical Pilates instructors can adapt exercises due to an injury. The specific choice of Pilates exercises that you do can be the difference between a routine that works and one that doesn’t. For example, a client may sign up for a session to address core stability and reduce their back pain. After their examination, it is clear that the client has a disc bulge as their main injury, and their pain is a result of instability due to the disc bulge. They might also find general hip and knee weakness which is increasing the load on the lower back, contributing the injury in the first place. The specific choice of exercises to manage the disc bulge and instability, while working on the core stability, hip, and knee strength will mean the difference between a program that improves the client’s back pain and improves core stability long term or aggravating the condition. In addition, Clinical Pilates allows your instructor to incorporate additional treatments (such as joint mobilization and traction in this example) as a part of their client’s Pilates program. These treatments are based on physiotherapy training, rather than pure Pilates exercises, and may not be in the repertoire of a traditional Pilates instructor.
Interested in learning more about Clinical Pilates and what we can do help ease your pain? Give us a call! If you’re not ready to take that step, feel free to check out this FREE exercise guide that gives six examples of Clinical Pilates exercises inspired by the Schroth method for Scoliosis treatment. You deserve to be treated as an individual while managing your pain!