Pilates is a form of exercise we have eagerly implemented into our physical therapy at Mountain View Pain Center. Originally designed under the name contrology by physical therapy pioneer Joseph Hubertus Pilates, it is an innovative system of movement and exercise designed to realign and balance the body, while promoting maximum muscle strength to increase flexibility, coordination, and stamina. In his own words, “[Pilates] develops the body uniformly, corrects wrong postures, restores physical vitality, invigorates the mind, and elevates the spirit.”
Each treatment plan has a target-specific phase of exercises, whether a patient has cervical, lumbar, or another type of injury in the body. Additionally, a central part of physical therapy within our office is keeping each patient’s pain level at a minimum while also starting or continuing a regular exercise program.
Some of the stabilization exercises include the spinal twist, quadruped, single knee-to-chest, and floor bridges, while some more challenging exercise include planking, exercise ball superman, reverse flies, and external rotation (targeting the rotator cuff). Certain exercises may also be performed on a reformer, allowing for spring resistance.
Pilates also decompress joints, which, in return, improves circulation throughout the body. Combining floor exercises and reformer Pilates increases strength, range of motion, and allows for a more balanced musculature, promoting healthy tissue that allows for efficient movement patterns. If a patient has never tried Pilates or is a novice to exercise in general, it is a perfect way to ease the body into a low-impact style of workout.
Through our various physical therapy treatments, we address each and every patient individually. When patients stay proactive about their bodies and take the necessary steps towards physical therapy treatment, we target and help to fix various body ailments that hinder each individual’s life.