EFFECTIVENESS OF PILATES PHYSICAL THERAPY TREATMENT

Typically, when people talk about physical rehabilitation, they usually refer to physiotherapy. Nowadays, however, a rising trend has put Pilates physical therapy in the spotlight. Pilates has been gaining popularity as a physical therapy technique, owing to its increased use over the last decade. As more people have gotten into the practice, word of its many rehabilitative benefits and effects has spread, and lead to increased awareness among people and patients alike.

In fact, many professional healthcare providers and practitioners recommend Pilates to patients suffering from physical conditions like knee, foot, back, neck, and shoulder pain, among many others. More and more physical therapists are integrating techniques, exercises, and equipment, traditionally used in Pilates into their therapy programs and even more practitioners are being trained as Pilates instructors on top of their physical therapy practice.

While physiotherapy and Pilates are not necessarily interchangeable practices, Pilates physical therapy, or the use of different Pilates methods and techniques in conjunction with physical therapy treatments provides the perfect middle ground for both practices to provide a continuum of healing, so to speak. It’s a strategy of healing that examines not only the pathologies that lead to pain, but also a patient’s overall movement patterns and compensations, thus giving way for overall alignment, articulation, mobility, balance, control, and fluidity. Moreover, Pilates can offer many post-rehab benefits should a patient decide to continue with it after rehabilitation.

Many physical therapy clinics nowadays combine Pilates workouts in strategic physical therapy programs, thus creating a powerful way to address injuries, pains and aches, and other physical issues. Pilates exercises are generally designed to build strength, improve flexibility, increase endurance, and develop control of the entire body. They emphasise breathing, alignment, strengthening of the core, as well as enhanced balance and coordination. The use of various Pilates equipment in conjunction with physical therapy practices allows therapists to facilitate as well as measure movement as they help patients through therapy and rehabilitation.