Many of us walk around with some degree of tightness in the shoulders, hips, and/or lower back. This is just the result of aging and moving through our everyday lives.
It’s usually when this tightness becomes limiting or even painful that people seek out physical therapy to determine the cause. And this makes perfect sense.
But what makes even more sense is to seek a physical therapist with a foundation in Pilates because there are so many additional benefits of Pilates-based physical therapy.
The Low Down on Pilates
Developed in the early 20th century, Pilates has become increasingly popular. And optics would have us believe that it’s a fitness regimen that’s geared mostly to women who want flat bellies.
This is an extremely narrow view.
Pilates has a much more holistic approach to fitness as it emphasizes both body and mind. It’s low-impact, so it’s suitable for people (yes, men too!) of all ages and fitness levels. And because it’s highly adaptable to meet the needs of each individual, it’s often recommended as part of a rehabilitation plan for those struggling with chronic pain or recovering from injuries.
With a focus on strengthening the core muscles and improving posture, balance, and flexibility, Pilates involves a series of controlled movements typically performed on a mat or on specialized equipment that provides resistance and support. Practitioners focus on the Pilates principles of breath, flow, precision, control, centering, and concentration to get optimal physical and mental results from the movements.
Combining Pilates with Physical Therapy
Given its propensity for rehabilitation, combining Pilates with physical therapy is a no-brainer. After all, physical therapy also focuses on increasing core strength while improving flexibility and balance to reduce pain and boost physical function.
Physical therapists create customized treatment plans for each client to address their specific concerns. They may recommend manual therapy, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation to address issues of pain or limited mobility. But they’ll also recommend exercises. Pilates exercises can be beautifully integrated into a physical therapy program to complement these and other treatments.
For instance, a physical therapist may recommend Pilates exercises for a client struggling with back pain to improve posture and enhance joint mobility. Another client who’s recovering from a fall or injury can benefit from Pilates movements that help improve balance and coordination.
Whatever the case, Pilates-based physical therapy is a dynamic healing modality that can meet the needs of individuals with a wide variety of physical limitations and/or health conditions. And this is the key to its effectiveness. Plus, by continuing with Pilates once the PT is complete, individuals can maintain their recovery results and even go beyond them.
The Benefits of Pilates-Based Physical Therapy
If you’re still on the fence about whether Pilates-based physical therapy could be right for you, we’ll take a look at some of the specific benefits offered through this means of treatment.
1. Decreased Pain and Discomfort
As stated above, it’s often pain that first brings people to physical therapy. Because Pilates exercises so effectively target specific areas of the body, the movements can increase joint mobility in these areas and help to alleviate pain or other discomfort. Pairing these with physical therapy promotes healing and reduces the need for medication or possibly even surgery.
2. Better Balance and Coordination
A slip and fall can quickly change your whole life. By improving balance and coordination with Pilates exercises, individuals recovering from falls build these back in droves. Then when combined with physical therapy, this creates a reduced risk of falling in the future.
3. Improved Core Strength and Stability
Every movement originates at the core – or the powerhouse, as it’s known in Pilates. And the core comprises more than just the abs. It’s the entire central part of your torso. This includes your hips, pelvis, and lower back too. Since both physical therapy and Pilates focus on strengthening the core, Pilates-based physical therapy places a premium on enhancing core stability to improve balance, posture, and general physical function.
4. Enhanced Overall Wellness
Pilates brings breath awareness and centering to the table for a deeper body-mind connection than just physical therapy alone. Emphasizing this connection is crucial in Pilates-based physical therapy. The end result?Reduced stress and anxiety and an overall enhanced quality of life.
Sounds good, right?
Find Out How Pilates-Based Physical Therapy Could Help You
If you’re looking for a comprehensive approach to physical rehabilitation and recovery that also promotes long-term wellness, you’ll find it with Pilates-based physical therapy.
So if you’re curious about how this modality could work for you, contact us today to request an appointment.
And start seeing firsthand how the benefits of Pilates-based physical therapy can work toward your recovery.