Why would I choose Pilates for rehabilitation?

In my experience, “rehab” is a very broad term. They might give you anything.

When it comes to rehabilitation for movement issues, the same applies. Depending on who is overseeing your treatment, rehab might mean physio exercises of one school or the other (of which there are many). Some physios/doctors don’t even show you the exercises they are prescribing. A sheet of paper with a few stock images of stick men is considered enough.

Kill me now.

So, Pilates and rehab. Why?

In addition to being used in fitness programs, Pilates is increasingly being used in rehabilitation programs. People of all ages and levels of conditioning benefit from Pilates. However, the effectiveness of Pilates is highly dependent on the instructor’s training.

The high neuromuscular demands of the original Pilates method, requiring total core strength, total arm strength, and total leg strength, make its adaptation for rehabilitation challenging for some. However, these same facts make it somewhat sadistically appealing for the (tri)athlete.

It is my opinion through my own experience that when you are recovering you need a road. Pilates can provide you with the road not only for recovery but beyond.

When injury or chronic pain impairs movement and performance Pilates, given its whole-body approach to fitness, can have a lot to say about the matter when managed well by the practitioner. It is elegant, structured and progressive, and it can and ought to be personalised, so that individuals can recover and rehabilitate. Chances are they will get a new hobby in Pilates along the way.