Why I Added Pilates to My Physiotherapy Practice – And Why It Could Benefit Yours

Why I Added Pilates to My Physiotherapy Practice – And Why It Could Benefit Yours

Over 20 years ago, I decided to add Pilates to my physiotherapy skills. I was interested in finding ways to help people not only recover from injury but also develop the strength, control, mobility and confidence to move better in everyday life.

What began as an additional skill soon became an integral part of my approach to physiotherapy.

Throughout my career, I have used Pilates in a variety of settings, from private physiotherapy clinics to working with dancers at Rambert Dance Company. I also went on to own and run my own Clinical Pilates studio.

Working with such a diverse range of people has shown me just how valuable the combination of physiotherapy and Pilates can be.

Bridging the gap between rehabilitation and movement

Physiotherapy provides us with an excellent understanding of anatomy, biomechanics, injury and rehabilitation. But helping someone recover from an injury is often just one part of their journey.

Patients may need to continue developing strength, coordination, balance, mobility and confidence long after their initial treatment has finished.

This is where Pilates can be particularly valuable.

Its emphasis on controlled movement using the principles of pilates, postural awareness, strength and movement quality provides a structured way to help people develop these qualities and progress towards their everyday activities, sport and other interests.

What Pilates brings to physiotherapy

For me, one of the greatest benefits of Pilates is that it encourages us to look beyond an individual symptom or injury and consider how the whole body moves.

Pilates can help develop:

• Strength and control through the trunk and pelvis.

• Improved spinal mobility and movement awareness.

• Balance, coordination and proprioception.

• Strength and stability throughout the body.

• Better movement efficiency and postural awareness.

• Confidence in returning to exercise and everyday activities.

It also provides an opportunity to observe how someone moves, identify compensatory patterns and adapt exercises to address their individual needs.

What working with dancers taught me

My experience working with dancers at Rambert Dance Company taught me how important movement quality, precision, control and efficiency are.

Dancers place considerable demands on their bodies, requiring strength, mobility, balance and coordination alongside an exceptional awareness of movement.

Pilates provided a valuable way to work on these qualities, but the principles are just as relevant when working with someone recovering from back pain, managing a musculoskeletal condition or simply wanting to improve their physical function.

The ability to understand movement and teach it effectively is something that can benefit a very wide range of people.

Why physiotherapists should consider Pilates teacher training

As Physiotherapists we already have a strong clinical foundation and an understanding of the body. However, knowing about movement and knowing how to teach Pilates effectively are two different skill sets.

Comprehensive Pilates teacher training develops the practical skills needed to translate existing clinical knowledge into effective movement teaching.

This includes:

• Understanding Pilates principles and methodology.

• Learning the Pilates repertoire and exercise progressions.

• Developing observation and movement assessment skills.

• Improving verbal and tactile cueing.

• Understanding how to adapt exercises for different abilities and needs.

• Learning how to plan and deliver effective individual and group sessions.

Combining these teaching skills with an existing physiotherapy qualification can open up new ways of working and complement an established clinical practice.

Expanding your professional opportunities

Pilates training can allow Physiotherapists to explore additional ways of supporting their clients, including one-to-one Pilates sessions, small group classes and ongoing movement programmes.

It can also provide opportunities to work with people who want to improve their strength, mobility, posture and general physical wellbeing.

For those who enjoy teaching movement and helping people achieve their physical potential, Pilates can be a particularly rewarding addition to their professional skills.

Combining two complementary disciplines

Pilates does not replace Physiotherapy, nor is it a substitute for appropriate clinical assessment and treatment. I see the two as complementary disciplines that can work extremely well together.

My own experience over the past 20 years has shown me how valuable Pilates can be, both as part of a Physiotherapy approach and as a way of helping people continue to develop their  Positive movement  experiences and physical capabilities.

This is also why I am so passionate about Pilates teacher training.

At Tula Training, I bring together my experience as a physiotherapist, Pilates practitioner and teacher trainer to help others develop the knowledge, practical skills and confidence to become outstanding  Pilates teachers.

If you are a physiotherapist looking to expand your clinical skills and explore how Pilates could complement your existing practice, Pilates teacher training could be a very worthwhile next step.

Discover our Pilates Matwork and Reformer teacher training courses at Tula Training.

https://www.tulatraining.co.uk/