Reformer Pilates & Clinical Pilates for Injuries and Fitness.

The Pilates craze that we know today started back in 1912 when Joseph Pilates created the pilates exercises to help rehabilitate injured soldiers in world war 1. These exercises were later adapted to help ballet dances gain core stability and help prevent injuries. From there they became the stable of physiotherapy rehabilitation exercises. The basis of Pilates is that a strong core will create a stable base from where you can move your limbs for whatever activity, job or sport you are taking part in. If you are not able to stabilise your core, then a heavy load will cause stress on your lower back, thereby causing irritation and potentially injury. More recently Pilates studios have become very prevalent in the trendy suburbs amongst those looking for a safe way to stay fit. 

What is clinical Pilates

Clinical Pilates is a variant of Pilates where a registered physiotherapist will lead their patient through a series of Pilates exercises in order to help rehabilitate them from injury. The physiotherapist will do an assessment on their patient to help determine the cause of their problems and formulate a plan to help rehabilitate the patient. The physio will often incorporate physiotherapy principals into their treatment, utilising manual therapies or other equipment to help with the rehabilitation. 

What is reformer pilates?

A Pilates reformer is a piece of equipment that has a sled on rollers with springs attached as resistance. The springs can be adjusted to increase or decrease the resistance on the machine on the participant. The participant can use  the reformer in a variety of ways from lying on their back, to kneeling, standing or using the strap for resistance instead of the bar at the end of the machine. All in all it’s a very versatile machine where a lot of different exercises can take place.

What is a trap table or cadillac?

The trap table resembles a bed type structure with a supporting frame around it. This structure has attachment points for springs and levers where different types of exercises can take place. It’s also great for very basic exercises as unlike the reformer the platform you are lying on does not move.

Development of Pilates studios

Such has been the interest and uptake of Pilates that gyms and studios have been created where entire rooms have been dedicated to the Pilates reformer and the exercises that are done on it. These studios are full of members who love reformer Pilates so much that that is the majority of the exercise that they do.

Clinical Pilates

Pilates has been a large part of physiotherapy for over the last 25 years. This is because of the success many physios have seen on their patients as they rehabilitate them back to full health. Pilates has been shown to be an effective way to strengthen the core muscles and relieve low back pain. It’s also a great way to get patients back into the gym or back into sports or work. The multifaceted nature of the Pilates machines allow the physio to target many different muscle groups or to target specific movements to help rehabilitate their patients.

Mat Pilates

Mat Pilates contrary to common thinking is actually harder than reform Pilates this is because reformer pilates the springs can also act as a supporting function to help stabilize those who are lacking core strength and stability. The reformer can also be used to overload the muscles and make them work harder with the more springs being attached the harder the exercises are to complete. Mat Pilates are excellent because they're simple and easy to do. They can be done on a yoga mat or even the carpet in your living room offers the right amount of stability to do the exercises. Participants can even just follow their favorite UTube instructor or perhaps a sheet or program given to them by their physio or athletic coach.

Sports application

Often sporting teams will incorporate Pilates exercises into their training, to help target their core stability and help with rehabilitation of injuries. Pilates is ideal for injury recovery of athletes as the instructor can adjust the resistance just enough to work the muscle in a range and stress level where it stimulates recovery instead of damage.

Conclusion

Pilates has come a long way from when it was used to help rehabilitate world war one soldiers. The amount of specific equipment has increased and the amount of exercises has also increased significantly. Pilates and clinical Pilates both have a place and will continue to be a staple part of our exercise and treatments going forwards.