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Clinical Pilates

Clinical Pilates

The human body is an incredible system, however no system is immune to issues. Whether it’s an injury, a chronic problem, or a lack of strength, many people face physical challenges that can get in the way of life. So what if there was a way to correct all of that, and help you to start feeling strong, centered, and capable once again? Good news: you can do just that by signing up for Clinical Pilates sessions.

Pilates is a form of exercise rehabilitation that focuses on the health of the body as a whole. At its core, Pilates focuses on six areas with every exercise—the breath, the head/neck position, the shoulder blade position, ribcage position, pelvis position, and core activation. Many people choose Pilates as a form of general exercise and strength training or resistance training. It is equally valuable as a clinical physiotherapy treatment.

What is Clinical Pilates?

Clinical Pilates typically is an assessment done by a physiotherapist, who then develops the treatment plan and oversees a pilates instructor who is the one then providing the pilates specific treatments to you, and not the physiotherapist. At ProActive Pilates, you are not passed off to a pilates instructor for the treatments, as Dana D’Abreo is a physiotherapist as well as a pilates instructor. The assessment, treatment plan and treatments are provided by the physiotherapist and her 25 years of experience and expertise. So at ProActive Pilates, Clinical Pilates can also be known as physio Pilates or reformer Pilates, and it can be an amazing solution for someone recovering from injuries or looking for ways to manage chronic pain. Clinical Pilates incorporates core activation/stabilization and mat-based exercises as well as reformer or resistance work with the vertical frame.

When done correctly, Pilates can be an incredible tool for people facing many types of challenges, whether it’s an athletic injury, general joint and muscle pain, or for women who are expecting or have recently given birth. The end goal is to improve core activation, strength, improve body awareness, and become as physically capable as possible despite existing issues.

Some of the most common problems that bring people into my Clinical Pilates sessions include:
Clinical Pilates isn’t limited to treating physical issues, however. Many people turn to it as a proper stretch and strengthening regimen that allows them to push their physical limits without negatively impacting the body, which is sometimes caused by other forms of exercise.

What to Expect from a Clinical Pilates Session

Every Pilates instructor runs their session a little differently. However, I’ve spent the last 18 years developing an exercise structure that has served me and my clients extremely well. Here’s how it works:

1 - The Assessment

I take the time to sit down with each of my clients before beginning any training, either in person or virtually, in order to learn more about them, their health goals, and the issues they face. There’s no single way to approach physical rehab, and this is especially true for Pilates, where the needs of each client can differ greatly. By starting with a thorough initial assessment, I can get to the root cause of the physical symptoms that are presenting themselves and work with my client to create their roadmap to recovery.

2 - The Treatment Plan

After the assessment, it’s time to create a plan for the way forward. I pinpoint the most pressing issues and concerns, and decide the best way to approach them. This focuses on which exercises, regimens, and types of treatment options will most benefit my client. I am diligent when it comes to educating and keeping clients informed of my plans, and I’m always happy to adapt to each person’s needs or goals.

3- The sessions

Once we’ve come up with your treatment plan, it’s time to get to work. Whether in a small group setting or in a private session, whether online or in person, I’ll carefully walk you through each exercise, checking in with you at every step to ensure it’s working for you, and making adaptations when necessary. In Clinical Pilates it’s vital to strike a balance between pushing limits and remaining within your abilities, while always keeping your end goals in mind.

4- The lifestyle

Physio Pilates doesn’t end when the session does. I’ll often assign routines and homework exercises for my clients to keep up with on their own time, and check in on them at the next appointment to make sure they’re doing everything they can to maximize their time and stay healthy. My unique approach to Pilates means I not only help address physical problems, but also inspire a lifestyle change in my clients to keep them in the best possible physical state.

Choosing a Clinical Pilates Studio

When taking the first steps to addressing physical issues, choosing the right approach can be overwhelming. Not only are there so many experts in every part of the physical rehab industry, the amount of different treatments and methods can vary immensely. So what makes Pilates the best choice for improving your physical health, and what makes me the right choice to start your training?

First and foremost, at ProActive Pilates, you work directly with me, and are not handed off to any other instructors. I am a physiotherapist as well as a pilates instructor and we work together in a 1 on 1 setting. As I am a physiotherapist, a physiotherapy receipt is given at each treatment, which may be reimbursed by your extended benefit plan. Please check with your specific benefit plan for eligibility.

As a long-time athlete who has performed at the national level, I know firsthand how empowering it is to feel physically capable, and how devastating it can be to lose those abilities. That’s why I’ve spent over twenty-five years in the physical rehabilitation field, because I have a deep passion for helping people get back in touch with their bodies.

I have the education, training, and practical skills to help you feel strong and centered, whether you’re an athlete who’s unable to do what they love, an expecting or recent mother who is feeling the physical challenges of pregnancy, or simply someone being physically limited by acute or chronic pain.

With all that said, what really sets me apart from my competition is the holistic balance that so many of my patients discover through our sessions. Our physical health and mental well-being are far more intertwined than you might realize, and it’s not at all uncommon for my clients to experience emotional breakthroughs and releases of long-held tension and stress as we work. I’m in this line of work because I truly believe Clinical Pilates has the power to change people’s lives, and that’s why I’ve remained so dedicated to both it and my core values through my many years as a physiotherapist and pilates instructor.

If you’re experiencing physical pain, lack of stability or mobility, or you’re simply looking for a way to build strength and balance, it’s up to you to take your health into your hands, and Physio Pilates is one of the best ways to do it. Striking the perfect balance between flexibility training, strength-building, and emotional balance, Reformer Pilates is an invaluable tool for anyone looking to take charge of their physical health.

If you have more questions about Clinical Pilates, please don’t hesitate to contact me. If you’re ready to book your initial assessment straightaway, you can click the button below to get started.