What is Clinical Pilates, and Why Do We Love It?
Maybe you’re familiar with Pilates as a form of exercise, but what about practicing it in a physiotherapy context? Pilates is often used in physio clinics (including The Cheerful Pelvis – more on that below!) because it’s a movement practice centered on rehab and strengthening. This application is sometimes referred to as clinical Pilates and tends to be practiced one-on-one with a physio, kinesiologist, or Pilates instructor as opposed to in a group class setting.
Pilates and the Pelvic Floor: BFFs
When it comes to pelvic floor physio in particular, we like to think of Pilates as the pelvic floor’s best friend. While practices like yoga and sports can also help us stay mindful and active, yoga is rooted in spirituality, and sports tend to optimize movement around well, the sport! In comparison, Pilates is a targeted exercise discipline that places a lot of emphasis on your core, as well as how your breath and body move together, making it a perfect complement to physio.
With a strong focus on mindful movement, Pilates can help us develop a deep awareness of our body’s patterns and teach us how to move better. As physios, when we treat pelvic floor symptoms, we of course target the pelvic floor muscles, but in most of our clients’ cases, we’re also evaluating how the breath, core, and really, the entire body is working (or not working) together as a unit, because these symptoms can come from anywhere in the body.
Most of our clients have experienced some sort of change in their body, whether it’s an injury, a pregnancy, a birth, or an onset of pain. This can impact the nervous system as well as the pelvic floor muscles. We often recommend clinical Pilates because its mindful, awareness-based, and embodied exercise style can help rewire the nervous system and build new habits in the body after a change. Working with Pilates equipment can also help the body feel safer, providing an additional layer of support to the nervous system.
Pilates is an accessible and impactful movement practice, no matter what level of strength or activity you’re at. For those focused on recovery or reducing barriers to movement, it can be a handy tool, but there’s also no limit to the level of load or challenge you can build as you progress. Even elite athletes and super strong folks can benefit from practicing it, whether as exercise or therapy.
To sum it all up, we love Pilates at the clinic because:
It’s specifically designed to promote mindful movement and a brain-body connection, making it a great complement to pelvic floor physiotherapy
It helps your nervous system relax and learn new movement patterns in a safe and supportive way
It incorporates breathwork and teaches your body to move as a unit
Anyone can do it and benefit from it
Pilates at The Cheerful Pelvis
At The Cheerful Pelvis, we have a few different types of Pilates offerings:
Clinical Pilates, which can be recommended as part of an individual physiotherapy treatment plan
Prenatal Pilates group classes, designed to help folks prepare for a birth and stay in good shape through pregnancy
Prenatal and postnatal strength and Pilates group classes, which combine a few different exercise disciplines and are accessible for all abilities
Our group classes are led by practitioners with expertise in pelvic floor therapy and are bookable through JaneApp under Group Classes.
We currently have five different Team Cheerful members who offer clinical Pilates (shoutout to Sam, Ali, and Lindsay, and to Mika and Clare, who have just completed their certifications!).
Interested in trying clinical Pilates?
If you’re a new client, fill out our Match Me form to book an appointment and mention clinical Pilates.
Already a Cheerful client? Ask your physio about clinical Pilates at your next appointment.
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