Clinical Pilates
What Is
Clinical Pilates Treatment
Pilates is a form of conditioning exercise developed by Joseph Pilates specifically for dancers in the 1900s. Pilates exercises can be done on a mat, or on special Pilates equipment such as the reformer and trapeze table. Traditional Pilates exercises were designed to target the core muscles and coordination, which are needed by ballet dancers as they execute their demanding routine. Over the years, modern pilates caught up with the commercial gyms where classes are common. These classes are great for fit and uninjured individual to improve their core stability.
Since 1990s, physiotherapists have modified the traditional Pilates to help patients with back, neck, knee or shoulder pain. The exercises are adapted to reflect our understanding of anatomy, physiology and pathology. There are also increasing evidence from current research pointing towards the efficacy of Pilates. In short, Clinical Pilates is a modified version of the original Pilates designed specially for the injured population.
Clinical Pilates are known to elicit instantaneous functional improvement in painful conditions. For instance, in a patient with a painful knee condition, Pilates exercises can improve a patient’s sense of balance and alleviating the knee pain at the same time. Clinical Pilates done regularly can help to improve your posture, strength and flexibility, especially so after an orthopedic surgery.
Pilates Specialists
Before you start on any exercises, the physiotherapist will make a very detail assessment to select the most complementary Pilates routine. (not all exercises may be beneficial if you are suffering from back or neck pain).BMJ physiotherapists are trained in Australia DMA’s approach to Clinical Pilates and rehabilitation. Our clinic uses the reformer and trapeze combo together with appropriate manual therapy to maximise your recovery potential.
Strengthening The Core
What Exactly is The Core?
Core is almost an all too common mention in fitness programme and fitness magazine. But what exactly is it?It basically refers to a group of trunk muscles including the abdominal muscles, back muscles and pelvic floor muscles. Not just the familiar 6-pack muscles. This group of muscles works together (not in isolation) to keep our trunk steady, very much like the massive belt that you will see weight lifters used to protect their spine.
Why Do We Need to Core?
These core muscles help to keep our trunk stable so that we can walk, run and jump smoothly. When the trunk is stable, our limbs have a good foundation to operate from. These muscles works at a sub conscious level, ie they work in the background, we don’t have to think about it.However, when we are injured, one or two of these muscles get switched off, making you lose your trunk/core stability. Somehow they remained switched off unless specific exercises turn them on again. Sometimes it is our sedentary lifestyle that makes these muscles go to sleep. A deskbound career is the best way to turn off these core muscles and they become lazy and weak.Pilates exercises on the mat, or on a pilates apparatus is a very efficient way to tune these muscles into action.