If you’re an athlete, you know the thrill of being in the game. You also know the defeat of getting an injury. Unfortunately, it’s just part of the game.
While setbacks such as strained muscles, partial tears, torn ligaments, and sprains can be discouraging, physical therapy goes the distance in helping you recover more quickly.
And addressing sports injuries with Pilates-based physical therapy is especially beneficial. The rehabilitative properties of Pilates make it a natural complement to physical therapy.
Addressing Sports Injuries with Pilates-Based Physical Therapy
Pilates offers many benefits to athletes in its unique approach to restoring strength, balance, and flexibility. By making Pilates-based physical therapy as part of your healing regimen, you’ll not only accelerate your recovery, but you’ll reduce the risk of future injuries too.
This means you’ll be able to get back to your chosen sport with more strength and resilience than you had before your injury. Here are some of the ways Pilates-based physical therapy can help your sports-related injury recovery:
1. Strengthening the Core and Increasing Stability
Pilates puts a strong emphasis on core strengthening and activation through movements that target the obliques, lower back muscles, and deep abdominal muscles. This does more than give you six-pack (or eight-pack) abs.
Proper posture, strong balance, and solid stability are crucial for any physical activity. And the core-centric approach of Pilates-based physical therapy focuses on these. It also emphasizes proper alignment and body mechanics, which are essential for injury prevention.
2. Learning the Mind-Body Connection
Being an athlete, you know what it is to be in “the zone.” You’re tapped into the mind-body connection.
Pilates also focuses on this connection. The exercises in Pilates require focus, breath awareness, and concentration. More importantly, they stress the importance of mindful movement.
These same principles are incorporated into Pilates-based physical therapy to help you develop greater awareness of your movement patterns and those that are not serving you. With this heightened awareness, you’re able to correct imbalances and compensations that might contribute to injuries.
3. Improving Range of Motion and Flexibility
Suffering a sports injury can result in stiffness and a decreased range of motion in the joints and muscles impacted by your injury. Pilates focuses on lengthening exercises and dynamic stretching. These improve mobility and flexibility.
The exercises in Pilates-based physical therapy work to gradually increase the range of motion in a controlled manner. This helps promote healing and prevent the formation of scar tissue which negatively impacts your flexibility.
4. Targeting Your Rehab
Being able to target specific muscle groups is key to recovering from sports injuries. Pilates exercises are designed to do just that. A well-trained Pilates-based physical therapist creates a rehabilitation routine tailored to your individual needs; working the core muscles, stabilizers, or supporting muscles around the injury site, while focusing on controlled movements and precise alignment.
By rebuilding strength and stability in the area around your injury, you’ll lessen the risk of re-injury. And THAT’s how you win the game.
Start Healing Your Sports Injuries with Pilates-Based Physical Therapy
If you’re interested in seeing the effectiveness of treating your sports-related injuries with Pilates-based physical therapy, then contact us today.
You’ll have the opportunity to discuss your needs with our highly skilled Pilates-based PTs who will analyze your situation and design a treatment plan specifically for you.
Plus, our facility offers classes to keep you in Pilates mode once you’ve completed your therapy. So reach out today!