Beyond Ocean Grove: A clinical approach to pilates

BY CATHERINE ALLISON, SENIOR OSTEOPATH

When we hear the term pilates, many of us think of large group classes with flashy music, and tens of people working out on reformers together.

Rewind the clock five years and this was certainly not the case. Pilates as a form of exercise has really developed over the past decade, and along the way many studios have forgotten the root of pilates. While pilates can be wonderful for fitness, it still has the potential to cause injury or pain if not prescribed and monitored in the correct way. As a senior osteopath and clinical pilates instructor, I was introduced to pilates at the age of 16 to help overcome a lower back injury. Through regular personalised programs with a physiotherapist, I was able to overcome my sporting injury and progress back to high level endurance running. I cannot speak more highly of clinical pilates when it comes to rehabilitation. So allow me to shed some light on how clinical pilates can benefit you.
What is the difference between clinical pilates and reformer pilates?
Firstly, Clinical Pilates is run by a trained professional such as an osteopath, exercise physiologist or physiotherapist. This difference is very important because a physiotherapist or E.P. has an in-depth knowledge of injury, pathology, bodily function, healing and movement patterns. This knowledge allows our team to assess each patient and determine which exercises will be the most effective for each individual. This becomes especially important if you have any history of injury – whether it be low back pain, whiplash, osteoporosis, or if you are an athlete coming back from an injury.
The next main difference is the equipment we use. Reformer pilates is limited to the reformer, whereas clinical pilates uses other pilates specific equipment including the trapeze table and wunda chair. These pieces of equipment allow us to expand the repertoire of exercises for each client and allows us to target a program to the functional needs of each individual.
What will my classes look like?
Clinical pilates is limited to small group sessions, which run for an hour under the supervision of your practitioner. In your initial consultation, you will undergo an ultrasound assessment of your pelvic floor and deep abdominal muscles. This education tool is very useful for learning to control your core muscles and is pivotal to your pilates foundation. After your initial assessment, you will be set up with a personalised program that will be guided through each week with your practitioner. You will have a review session with your practitioner every 10 weeks to update your program.
Who would benefit from clinical pilates?
Many clients are originally introduced to pilates as a part of the management of an injury, but grow to love it and continue to attend regularly as a form of exercise. As with all exercise, consistency is key, so our clients attend weekly sessions to ensure they reap the full benefits of Clinical Pilates. Pilates can be modified for many different injuries and conditions including post-surgery, pre-natal, post-natal, sports specific, and management of conditions such as arthritis. Clinical pilates is an effective form of exercise to help the following:

• Improve stability
• Strengthen pelvic floor
• Injury rehabilitation
• Injury prevention
• Improve balance and co-ordination
• Improve posture
• Improve body awareness.

So when looking at taking up pilates as a form of exercise, it is important to remember that a program that is prescribed by a qualified practitioner such as an osteopath or exercise physiologist will be far more tailored to your needs than that of a group class in the gym. Pilates can be a very effective form of exercise and can be progressed to be quite challenging when performed in the right way. So if you would like to hear more about our classes, or make a time to come in, give us a call at the clinic on 5255 3411 or jump online today.
Beyond Ocean Grove is at 4/81 The Parade, Ocean Grove. Phone 5255 3411 or head to movebeyond.com.au.