Pilates and Rehabilitation

Joseph H. Pilates developed the Pilates Method in the 1920's as an exercise system focused on improving flexibility and strength for the total body without building bulk.  Today many of the small therapeutic movements he founded have been modified for people recovering from injuries or intensified to enhance the skill base of athletes and dancers at the elite level.

Many health professionals recommend Pilates to assist in the  recovery of patients after injury or accident. It is a safe way to re-educate and re-align the body to correct and prevent imbalances.

The type of rehabilitation that Pilates provides goes beyond typical orthopedic physical therapy. Many physical therapists have found that Pilates not only provides a safe reintroduction back into exercise for their rehabilitation patients but it will increase flexibility, strength, core stabilization and balance as well as the muscular and postural symmetry.

The benefits of Pilates in rehabilitation are due to the focus on intelligent muscle conditioning rather than muscle strength. It provides a form of neuromuscular conditioning, with the emphasis on precision and quality of movement, rather than strength.
Because the benefits of Pilates are so profound, many patients continue using Pilates for total conditioning after they have completed their physical therapy and are able to move on to a mainstream fitness program.