Clinical Pilates

We Also Offer

Myofascial Cupping

Women’s Health Physio

Pregnancy and Post Natal

Massage

Radial Shockwave Therapy

Dry Needling

About Clinical Pilates

As opposed to general fitness-based Pilates; Clinical Pilates is a form of prescribed exercise rehabilitation by a Physiotherapist which is specifically designed for the individual to rehabilitate an injury, reduce pain, or improve another aspect of their athletic performance. Clinical Pilates focuses on correcting muscular imbalances, improving spinal mobility and alignment, and preventing or recovering from injuries. It can be utilised as a form of rehabilitation and management of countless physical concerns such as back pain, sports injuries, arthritis, postural-related pain, pre-habilitation (pre-operatively), and in post-surgical recovery & rehabilitation.

 

Making use of a variety of Pilates equipment (like reformer beds and trapeze tables), Clinical Pilates exercise can help decrease pain levels, boost strength, increase flexibility, improve joint range of motion, and enhance overall mental and physical health.  Physiotherapists create an individualised clinical exercise programme that is tailored to an individual’s rehabilitation plan, while also maximising their current fitness and strength levels.  During your one-on-one clinical exercise consultations, the Physiotherapist will assess each person’s general mobility, biomechanics, flexibility, and strength.

 

Our Clinical Pilates Options

At SRP, we have 2 Clinical Pilates Options:

Unsupervised Pilates

§  Each member has their own individualised Pilates program created by their Physiotherapist

§  Maximum of 4 members per class with a Physiotherapist supervising)

Group Pilates Exercise Classes

You may progress to our Group Pilates exercise classes once your Physiotherapist is satisfied that your exercise programme is appropriate for your needs or unsupervised Pilates exercise once your Physiotherapist is satisfied you can perform your specific programme competently and safely on your own.

 

Group Pilates exercise classes are still supervised by a Physiotherapist, who ensures that all participants perform their exercises with proper posture and biomechanics. This maintains proper muscle activation patterns and targets the areas you want to work on. Because of this constant emphasis on form and function, many people who suffer from recurring niggles or injuries may find clinical Pilates exercise beneficial in improving these.

 

Unsupervised clinical Pilates exercise programmes are reviewed after one month and three monthly thereafter. This involves a one-on-one physiotherapy exercises consultation to review and appropriately progress your individual programme ensuring it is still very specific to your needs, ensuring optimal form and function as well as being a challenge for you.

Clinical Pilates merges physiotherapy expertise with Pilates principles, delivering targeted exercises that correct imbalances, strengthen muscles, and improve posture—empowering you to move confidently and prevent future injuries

What is the difference between Clinical Pilates and General Fitness-Based Pilates?

Like Clinical Pilates, Fitness-Based Pilates include body weight, reformer beds, trapeze tables or mat based Pilates equipment to help to improve muscle tone through the abdomen, spine, lower, and upper body.

 

The instructor takes the class through a routine of exercises, with each participant completing the same exercise and repetitions as the other class members. The instructor may change the difficulty of exercises to cater for differing levels of classes’ experience and fitness. 

Venn diagram comparing clinical Pilates and Pilates, highlighting muscle strengthening exercise, low impact, and range of equipment used, with symbols of exercise activities at the bottom.

Pilates classes are delivered by professionally trained Pilates Instructors (there are a variety of existing Pilates Instructor accreditation courses, through a large number of training bodies these days!); however, they may not necessarily be a Physiotherapist. A Physiotherapist has completed a University level qualification in analysing and assessing the human body. Many Physiotherapists undertake further Pilates-based training such that they have greater skill in combining their Physiotherapist knowledge with a breadth of Pilates exercises to create a specific rehabilitation program. 

 

Fitness-based Pilates classes are suitable for individuals who have no current injuries and already have a solid foundation of strength, flexibility and fitness; and who have established the important core and lumbopelvic technique foundations required in Pilates.

Benefits To You

✔ Can improve posture-related conditions such as low back pain, neck pain & headaches

✔ Increased control of trunk stabilising muscles leading to decreased back pain

✔ Firmer and flatter stomach muscles

✔ Greater resistance to injury

✔ Overall body toning without building a muscle bulk

✔ Improved general fitness levels

✔ Pilates principles and techniques can be applied to other traditional strength & flexibility regimes such as gym work as well as everyday activities eg. walking.

Woman exercising on a Pilates reformer machine with assistance from a trainer. Two other women are in the background, also working out in a fitness studio.
A personal trainer assists a woman with Pilates on a reformer machine in a gym.
A woman stands on a balance platform as a trainer supports her, in a physical therapy or fitness setting with equipment including a pilates reformer, exercise balls, and mats.
A woman in a black jacket and black leggings assists a young girl in a pink tank top and black shorts during a physical therapy session, with the girl walking on a gait training device in a therapy room.
A woman uses a seated resistance training machine while another woman supervises in a therapy or fitness setting with exercise equipment and a blue stability ball.
Two women lying on reformer Pilates machines, engaging in strength exercises with small white balls, while an instructor assists one of them in a fitness studio with wooden floors, white walls, and a mirror.
Two women lying on Pilates reformer machines, lifting small dumbbells, with a female instructor standing nearby in a fitness studio.
Reformer Pilates machines in a fitness studio with plants and a large mirror
A woman in a blue shirt undergoing physical therapy on a Pilates reformer machine with assistance from a therapist standing behind her, in a rehabilitation center.