At some time in our life, many of us will sustain some sort of injury. Some of these injuries require extensive medical attention while others are relatively minor and typically heal on their own.

For decades, Pilates has been a tool used by some physical therapists to rehabilitate individuals diagnosed with something as simple as an ankle sprain or as complex as Multiple Sclerosis.

What is Pilates?

• Pilates is a method of exercise that focuses on:

• strengthening the core

• improving flexibility

• enhancing posture awareness

• correcting muscle imbalances

Pilates accomplishes this by utilizing several key principles:

• Breathing – using the breath to enhance the movement

• Control – teaching how to control movement from start to finish

• Centering – building strength from the center out

• Coordination – coordinating the mind and the body

• Rhythm and Flow – teaching how to move fluidly to resemble normal daily movement

• Precision – moving with accuracy and exactness

• Relaxation – Not “trying hard”, but “trying easy”

 

How Can Pilates Help To Rehabilitate an Injury?

Pilates focuses on improving core strength, posture awareness, body alignment, muscle performance and motor development. These are the same concepts that many physical therapists focus on when rehabilitating an individual.

The primary causes of many injuries are muscle imbalances, muscle weakness and faulty movement patterns. Because of its principles, Pilates is an effective tool that can be used to address these causes of injury.

Some key benefits of using Pilates to rehabilitate an injury includes:

• It is a low-impact form of exercise

• Pilates uses safe, controlled movements to build strength and flexibility

• It teaches proper alignment and posture

• Pilates relies on the precision of movement and the recruitment of appropriate muscle groups to perform the movements correctly.

 

How Can Pilates Be Used to Help Prevent Injuries?

Pilates is being used by more and more athletes as a means of cross training for their sport. Volleyball gold-medalists, Kerri Walsh and Misty May Treanor use Pilates as part of their training program to improve cores strength, balance and flexibility.

Individuals who have good core strength are believed to have better dynamic control of their movements and are less likely to sustain an injury whether they are an athlete or not.

Pilates can be used by the most athletic as a means of cross training for his/her sport or by the most de-conditioned individual who would like to move and live without risk of injury.

Pilates is used to prevent injuries because it:

• Develops core strength

• Improves flexibility

• Improves posture awareness

• Strengthens the body as a whole

• Teaches the body how to move correctly and efficiently

 

How Can the Specialized Approach of ABS Pilates Help You Rehabilitate from an Injury or Prevent One?

It is important to note that most Pilates instructors are not trained in developing treatment programs for injured clients. It is also important to note that many physical therapists are not certified in Pilates. Therefore they are not trained to teach Pilates effectively and appropriately.

As a physical therapist, health coach and a certified Pilates instructor, my primary focus when designing a Pilates program is to utilize a holistic approach with all clients, whether that individual is healing from an injury or taking steps to try to prevent one. My program is specialized because I not only teach Pilates, but I do so in a way that is both rehabilitative and therapeutic.

Remember, if you sustain an injury, always consult your physician before you begin or resume any exercise program.

Contact ABS Pilates in Columbus, Ohio today and become stronger tomorrow.