Clinical Pilates

Australian physiotherapists have developed Clinical Pilates to combine the concepts of the original traditional pilates exercises with current physiotherapy knowledge based on research into spinal stability and directional preference. This method of Clinical Pilates is based on research and is very different than other pilates available in gyms and pilates studios. Each client has an individual program designed specifically to target their individual needs.

Clinical Pilates focuses on postural awareness and muscular control, particularly of the “core” or trunk muscles rather than on physical strength. Core control and core stability are important to provide a stable base for all functional movement.

All of our Clinical Pilates sessions are provided by Physiotherapists with post-graduate training and practical experience in Clinical Pilates

All Clinical Pilates patients must attend a minimum of three individual sessions with a Clinical Pilates Physiotherapist, which allows for a full assessment of existing health and fitness issues, as well as time to discuss your expectations and to tailor your program to achieve your goals. After this time, some patients are able to progress to other options such as group sessions.

After a thorough assessment including your response to movement directions, we can tailor a clinical pilates program to meet your individual needs. We then teach and reassess the program over a couple of sessions to evaluate the effect of the exercises and positions on your condition.

We will closely supervise your technique to ensure optimal results and prevent provocative positions. You will learn about your body and which movements are right for you and which to avoid. This enhanced body awareness can help improve posture and efficiency of movement as well as flexibility whilst targeting the muscles responsible for core stability.

Clinical Pilates can be adapted for all levels of fitness, body types and ages. In most cases, it can be commenced even if you have a current injury due to the individualised nature of the program. Pilates is a great compliment to any injury rehabilitation program or fitness routine.

Because Clinical Pilates is a treatment program run by physiotherapists, you can claim a rebate on private health insurance physiotherapy extras.

Once we have an established program and you are confident with some of the exercises, there are various options for ongoing pilates including small groups. Safety is important so we need to be confident that you are attending a safe option in terms of level of supervision. Different people take different time to master these techniques so it is difficult to predict how many individual sessions you will need before attending a group.