What is Rehab Pilates?

During my recent booth experience at the Southwest Florida Wellness Fair, the most common question was, "what is Rehab Pilates?" Is it physical therapy or is it Pilates? Well, it's actually a combination of both. Over my 30+ years of treating patients and athletes in the rehab world, I found traditional physical therapy just wasn't getting my patients back to their active lifestyles. Something was missing. That missing piece to the puzzle was functional movement. While working with the WTA Tour sports medicine services, I argued that players needed to get up off the treatment table and move, to use the stabilization we teach on the table in more challenging positions similar to what they are doing on the court and in the real world. I was over-ruled back then, but we have evolved in our philosophies for movement-based exercises. This is where Rehab Pilates comes in to get patients and clients off the treatment table and start rebalancing and learning how to move and live with gravity and other challenges in every day life. One of my mentors, Gary Gray, referred to this challenge as taking our patients from the nice, fenced-in backyard where it is safe to play to the front yard, where there is traffic, other people and their pets, and other environmental obstacles and dangers. Isn't that where real life happens? It's the same for people who only exercise in the pool, where it is safe and comfortable. The buoyancy of the water reduces the effects of gravity on our joints and makes it easier to move. However, eventually you have to go back out in the real world and live with gravity.

Rehab Pilates takes it's roots from Pilates, or it's original name, "Contrology," developed by Joseph Pilates during World War II. It was used for exercise and rehab of wounded soldiers and was quickly adapted by dancers and athletes as a way to improve strength and performance without stressing their joints. An article recently posted by Balanced Body "CORE" newsletter describes the symbiotic relationship of Pilates and dancers. Research has shown positive effects on strength and postural alignment to improve dancers' form during performance. You can check out the article out on my Facebook page for Align with Sue. https://thecore.balancedbody.com/pilates-and-dance-a-symbiotic-relationship/?utm_campaign=Int%27l%20Dance%20Day%20April%202023&utm_content=Int%27l%20Dance%20day%20April%202023&utm_medium=email_action&utm_source=customer.io

With Rehab Pilates, we work one on one to determine your unique imbalances, areas of pain or concern, and work to restore that balance through manual therapy, soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, nerve gliding, etc. Then, I guide you with Pre Pilates activation exercises to ensure you have the right foundation so we reduce your risk for injuries. You leave that first visit feeling more aligned and "different," as many of my patients say. With continued treatments and home exercises, you continue to feel more balanced, taller, easier to move. We restore your anti-gravity spring to help you live in the real world.

If you've been wanting to try Pilates, but you are afraid it will hurt or be too difficult, give me a call. Let's find a solution to get you safely in the front yard and get back to the real world. You don't have to live with all those aches and pains. And you don't have to get hunched over and pudgy as you age. Age gracefully and restore your posture and balance with Align with Sue.