Pilates

Some benefits of physio-led Pilates include:

Pain relief

Studies have shown that Pilates can help with pain, such as lower back pain. Pilates works by strengthening your core muscles and improving your alignment (posture) making injuries and falls less likely and allowing you to recover faster.

Builds core strength

One of the major benefits of Pilates is that it focuses on building core strength and works on strengthening the muscles in the abdomen, sides, lower back, buttocks, and hips. Having a strong core has a huge effect on the rest of your body, improving your posture, stability, flexibility, and balance.

Improves muscle strength and tone

Pilates incorporates resistance training either by using your own body weight or equipment, such as small weights or resistance bands, helping to improve your muscle strength, stability, and endurance.

Increases flexibility

Pilates involves stretching and lengthening your muscles, leading to greater flexibility, and helping you to stay mobile and maintain your range of motion as you get older.

Improves balance and coordination

Another benefit of a strong, aligned core is improved balance and coordination, meaning that your risk of accidents, such as falls, is reduced.

Improves posture

Many of us have poor posture and spend a lot of time hunched over our desks or looking at our phones. Poor posture can lead to musculoskeletal problems like neck, back, or shoulder pain. Having a strong, aligned core results in improved posture, which may lead to other benefits, such as improved breathing and digestion, and less pressure on your lower back.

Helps stabilise your spine

Pilates uses controlled movements and strengthens the deep abdominal muscles, which can help to stabilise your spine and reduce stress on your lower back.

Promotes body awareness

Pilates teaches you to be more aware of, and in tune with, your body. This allows you to recognise and identify the signals your body sends, as well as its limits, it’s weaknesses and areas of strength. Improved body awareness leads to a greater sense of wellbeing and reduces stress and risk of injury.

Aids rehabilitation of injuries related to muscle imbalances, joint and spinal injuries

Pilates is a great tool for the rehabilitation, recovery, and prevention of injuries.

Teaches breathing techniques

Breathing is a big part of Pilates practise. Being aware of, and learning to control, your breath can improve your lung capacity, as well as reduce stress. You can also use Pilates breathing techniques in your day-to-day life, which may make it easier to cope with difficult situations or emotions.

Improves mental health and wellbeing

Like all types of exercise, Pilates has great benefits for your mental as well as physical health and can improve wellbeing and self esteem and reduce stress.

At Circle Health Group, we offer physio-led Pilates treatment for a wide range of injuries and conditions, including:

• Musculoskeletal pain, including lower back pain, hip, knee, sacral, foot, ankle, hamstring and neck pain
• Shoulder problems
• Hypermobility syndrome
• Post abdominal surgery
• Post pregnancy
• Postural/biomechanical problems
• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Whiplash
• Neurological conditions like a stroke or Parkinson’s disease

Your physiotherapist will perform a full assessment in order to create a treatment plan most suitable for you. They may ask you about:

• Your symptoms
• Your general health
• Your medical history
• Any previous injuries or surgeries
• Any medications that you are taking
• Your goals and expectations for treatment, for example, what would you like to be able to do more easily, or which symptoms most impact your life

Your physiotherapist will perform a physical examination and assess your strength, flexibility, function, gait (how you walk), and reflexes. They may use palpation techniques where they apply varying amounts of pressure with their hands to assess the injured or affected area.

If your condition is suitable for physio led Pilates, your physiotherapist will create an individualised treatment plan that is most suitable for you.

At Circle Health Group, we have the experience and expertise to ensure the best possible care and outcome for our patients. As a patient with Circle Health Group, you can expect the highest standards of care, including:

• Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you
• The freedom to choose your hospital and physiotherapist
• Specialist physiotherapy equipment and imaging facilities at your fingertips
• Specialist advice/exercises to follow in sessions and at home
• Tailored services (your physiotherapist will build your timetable around your needs)
• Flexible finance options to help you spread the cost of your sessions
• If you would like to see a physiotherapist or learn more about private Pilates physiotherapy, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in February 2024. Next review due February 2027.

• About Pilates Pilates Foundation
• Pilates Physiopedia
• Pilates: Effective For Injury Rehabilitation balanced body