Pilates for rehabilitation

Benefits of Pilates rehabilitation exercises

The rehabilitation exercises and workout regime of Pilates can be applied easily to treat orthopaedic, sports-rehab, neurological and gynaecological health related problems.

Who is Pilates rehabilitation for

Pilates rehab exercises are best for those:

• Patients, who have acute or chronic pain, such as backache, sports related injuries or injuries resulting from some sort of trauma.
• Women, who would like to regenerate their deep-tissues and muscles after giving birth
• Who work full-time sitting behind a desk, and because of this passive activity, have developed spine problems or have joint related pains.

The Pilates method was developed by Joseph Hubertus Pilates (born in Düsseldorf, Germany in 1883). The main objective of Pilates is to bring balance for the body and soul in a way that enables the mind to roam free and the body to move elegantly, in balance.

Joseph Pilates developed 6 basic principles for his method:

1. Concentration: By focusing on your mind-body awareness, the better connection you establish with your body, and the more benefits you gain from your workouts.
2. Control: Control, rather than intensity or repetition, is key to performing the exercises correctly. All movements should be performed with precision, to gain the maximum benefits.
3. Centering: By paying attention to the muscles of the core (the Pilates Powerhouse), you will help all of your bodies’ muscles function and develop more efficiently.
4. Breathing: Controlling your breath with deep exhalations as you perform each exercise helps activate your muscles and keep you focused.
5. Flowing movement: Each Pilates motion should be smooth and graceful. Try to create the grace of a dancer or a gymnast in your practice.
6. Precision: Practice makes perfect. Proper form is essential to ensure you gain the most benefit and keep your body healthy.

There is more and more evidence that the static of the body and sustained balance of muscles is an important concept in physiotherapy. Pilates is one of many efficient methods that – with its dynamic set of exercises – are able to give a full and targeted workout for the body’s core muscles.

The method of the Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute (APPI) is based on the original set of 34 different exercises developed by Joseph Pilates, and is focused on developing one’s body awareness, stamina, flexibility and core stability.

Basic principles:

1. Breathing: breathing and coordination of exercises
2. Concentration: workout regime for the body and soul
3. Control: conscious control of all movements
4. Activation of the core muscles
5. Precision: body awareness developed through continuous practice
6. Conscious isolation: with regular practice, improper movement patterns can be recognized and corrected
7. Practice, gaining of routine

APPI is an international organization headquartered in the UK and founded by Elisa and Glenn Whithers physios and Pilates instructors. Their main aim was to transform the original Pilates exercises in a way that makes it possible for physiotherapists to integrate their method into daily rehabilitation practices with patients. Its set of exercises takes into account the normal and incorrect movement patterns, to enable the physiotherapist to help patients regain their normal movement patterns in a targeted way.