Pilates – an increasingly popular form of exercise originally developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920’s is a total mind-body conditioning program designed to target the deep muscles of the abdomen and spine to improve overall central core stability, posture and balance.

Therapy Pilates combines the early principles of Joseph Pilates with current research in movement dysfunction, local and global stability and biomechanics to create a safe, clinically effective program for rehabilitation. In contrast to fitness Pilates, it is delivered by an experienced advanced Pilates Teachers with extensive background knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and specialist skills in movement and postural analysis. They will combine this with the concepts and fundamental principles of Pilates to create a rehabilitation program that is as individual as you, addressing both injury and any underlying dysfunction. The opportunity to work alongside health professionals with the unique form of therapy exercise is wide and an incredibly valuable and rewarding area of work.

The benefits of Therapy Pilates are becoming increasingly evident and it is beginning to gain recognition for its effectiveness in not only the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, but also injury prevention and performance enhancement. So why is it so great?

Improved Postural Alignment

Poor posture appears to be the consequence of an ever-increasing sedentary lifestyle, expanding waistlines and the occupational hazards associated with sitting at a desk for up to 8 hours per day. Pilates encourages good posture and alignment during all exercises paying particular attention to the shoulder girdle, the pelvic girdle and spine. Not only does this reduce abnormal loading forces through the spine and minimize stress and strain through the tissues of the body, it also results in an instantaneous ‘apparent’ loss of weight and increase in confidence.

Increased Mobility

“Weakness permits a position of deformity but shortness creates a position of deformity” (Kendall, 1983). Pilates aims to re-establish length through shortened muscles in order to restore mobility and normal movement patterns, correct micro control and eliminate any compensatory dysfunctional movement patterns. Exercises primarily focus on incorporating neural releases and myo-fascial dynamic mobility into movement whilst maintaining good alignment and control. A particular focus is placed on restoring normal mobility and mechanics through the spine and pelvis in order to ensure effective stabilisation through this central core area.

Increased Stability

Pilates exercises focus around the principles of centering, breath, concentration, control precision and flow. This incorporates stabilising the three unstable areas of the body, the pelvis, the spine and the shoulder girdle. This incorporates micro control of the deep stabiliser of the powerhouse, formed by the muscles of the lower back and pelvis that are often viewed as those responsible for providing ‘core stability’ and micro control. The powerhouse is stimulated to engage in all Pilates exercises in order to create a stable spine. Stimulation in many of the exercises is created from effectively working the limbs whilst engaging the deep micro control stabilisers to co-activate and endure both on a pre and post neural feedback loop (before you undertake a movement and when a movement is initiated). 

Rehabilitation

The use of stability and control exercises as an intervention for people with musculoskeletal injuries, damage, pain or dysfunction has long been supported by research. Stabilisation exercises which focus on building control and stability around the spine, pelvic area and shoulder joint and girdle, are recommended.  In a number of clinical guidelines for the management of low back pain Pilates they are recommended and a recent systematic review concluded that such exercise interventions can be effective in reducing pain and disability (Brumitt J, et al. 2013). Pilates exercises as a rehabilitation tool are not just limited to spinal pain, Pilates exercises are often included in the rehabilitation of upper and lower limb injuries in order to ensure optimum alignment throughout the entire biomechanical chain and relieve stress on soft tissues and joints within the extremities that may be subject to overload.

Injury Prevention & Posture

A direct consequence of improving postural alignment is the even distribution of load throughout the body, minimizing stress through joints and the soft tissues.  In addition, joints throughout the body are sufficiently supported by effective muscular activity, which prevents excessive shearing forces and as such predisposition to degenerative changes.

Optimising the efficiency of movement, also limits overload through tissues and as such reduces the risk of actively exercising or training individuals developing overuse injuries with high intensity training.

Enhanced Sporting Performance  

Building correct motor patterns with precision and control during low level activity will lead to improved efficiency of movement and facilitate the generation of greater strength, speed, power and flexibility. Pilates also places a strong emphasis on the mind-body connection resulting in improved body awareness; a skill that becomes extremely useful when training the technical element of any sport or activity. Reducing the risk of injury is also key here; if you are injured, you can’t train effectively…simple!

This is a win win for clients who seek you out for your Pilates teaching. Share this article with any clients who would like to take part in Pilates but are unsure of what the benefits may be. 

If you are teaching Pilates why not consider training to level 4 and introducing exercise therapy to your clients.

If you don’t already teach Pilates and are you interested in Instructing Pilates? Have a look at our courses today.