Marrying Physical Therapy and Pilates…A Match Made in Heaven!

A Short, Animated History of Pilates:

What is Pilates really?

The Pilates method is a series of movements that were designed by a man named Joseph Pilates. Starting in the 1940’s Jo’s goal in creating this movement technique was to help improve body posture and core strength. Inspired by whatever bits and pieces he could find in the hospital he volunteered at post World War II, Jo pulled springs out from under the beds and hooks from the curtain rods and created on the spot strengthening aids for patients recovering from injury to begin the strengthening & rehabilitation process.

Pilates has evolved through the years into a flow of choreography that feels a lot like a yoga class. Usually practiced in either a group setting or as a private lesson you can do Pilates in person or online. Pilates classes are typically about an hour long and can be down on floor using a mat or on equipment such at the Reformer, the Cadillac, the Spring wall/Spring-board or on the Wunda chair. All Pilates machines use springs, ropes and tension bands to help load or offload certain parts of the body in the rehabilitation and strengthening process. By having the assistance of this equipment, the student is able to target and identify certain smaller muscle groups that may lay dormant post injury or after a period of minimal movement.

With a focus on core, alignment, anatomy education, breathing techniques and helping the student learn to identify where they are in space, Pilates helps with overall posture improvement and pain reduction. The class pace is usually slow and full of imaginative cueing to help you understand how and where to place your body in the correct positions to enjoy optimal support and efficient function. The instructor will help you by describing what the goal of the exercise is and where you could ideally feel the work happening on your body. If you are not able to identify the goal right away due to muscle imbalances or pain, the instructor will provide you with cues and/or props to help you modify the exercise so you can benefit from it at the appropriate level while avoiding compensation of unwanted muscles.

Can I do Physical therapy and Pilates at the same time?

Yes! Pilates is an amazing way to compliment the work you are doing in Physical Therapy. The combination of the two can tie together smoothly and provide more of an interesting flow to your ‘homework’. Be sure to let your instructor know what injuries you are working through and any positions or movements that cause you pain or that you feel you should avoid so they can modify for you.

When is the appropriate time to start Pilates when I am also doing Physical Therapy?

Fundamental Pilates can be started at any time in general or during your rehabilitation process. If you are recovering from injury and currently in Physical Therapy for rehab, Pilates can be an perfect match of movement to support your continued healing process. A lot of the Pilates movements are very similar to the exercises you receive from your Physical Therapist. You will see a lot of cross over and by practicing both at the same time and you may find that you are more inspired to incorporate the exercises into your long-term maintenance plan for keeping moving.

Do I need special equipment to do Pilates?

No! For basic mat Pilates you do not need any special props or equipment. You can, however, use items from around the house such as a pillow from the couch, a dish towel, the swifter pole, a belt, a strap, a broccoli rubber band or a book off the bookshelf (as long as it is not too heavy!). If you try it and find that you love it, you can always purchase your favorite props as needed but it is not mandatory to do so. At the beginning of each class the instructor will either provide the props for the class (in person) or tell you what to gather from your home (online) to aid in your experience of the session.

Is Pilates for all ages?

Yes! Pilates can be done by everyone at any stage of life. Classes are often labeled in stages or levels. If you are a beginner just look for a beginner class, or something that facilitates the rehabilitative process. You can always ask your Physical Therapist for recommendations on the best way to start your Pilates practice and for some resources for studios/Instructors in the area.

What is the point of Pilates?

Jo Pilates wanted to help people enjoy life to the fullest. Having grown up as a sickly child who was limited in his own movement, he was determined to not only self-heal but also to share his rehab and movement experiences with others. He created the Pilates method to help act as either a preventative or rehabilitative process for bodies to build strength to their full potential.

What will I learn in a Pilates Class?

In Pilates you will learn about the breath. The breath alone helps you learn to engage you core without even thinking about it!

You will start to form an understanding of what muscle to use for which movements in everyday life. The Instructor of your Pilates class will weave in educational terminology and concepts about the body that will help you remember to stand up tall while waiting in line at the bank or sit with your shoulders back and abdominals engaged while you are driving in your car. The cueing in Pilates classes is very functional and applicable to everyday movement and patterns you find yourself repeating all day long.

Is Pilates something I can keep doing even when I am done with Physical Therapy?

Absolutely! In fact, many Physical Therapists suggest that patients continue supporting the work they have done in PT by going to Pilates classes for further education and strengthening. Weather you start while you are still in Physical Therapy or after is all good!

Pilates, Physical Therapy and the marriage of the two is the perfect recipe to find your way back into a strong body that can move with confidence and without pain.

I speak from experience…

Having survived an awful car crash in my late adolescence, I have personally struggled with returning to a normal level of function my whole adult life. Through decades of research and discovery I have now reclaimed strength and mobility thanks to many wonderful healers and most of all my Physical Therapists and Pilates Instructors. Finding this blend of supportive movement along with a strong self-massage routine has gotten me back out in the world being active and enjoying a pain-free life. I still have setbacks from time to time, however, the recovery time is vastly shorter than before I was dedicated to a strong Pilates practice.