FAQ

?

What is telehealth?

Telehealth appointments are done virtually by video instead of in-person.  It allows for clients who are not comfortable coming in person, live too far away or may not be feeling well to still attend an assessment or treatment session to get benefit.  Education is a key piece of treatment which can be done anywhere.

?

What is a Pilates class like?

A small group session at ProActive Pilates is typically 50-60 minutes long. The session focuses on each individual’s core muscle activation, and runs through various mat-based pilates exercises with the 5 principles of pilates reminders for great alignment with each exercise. Each session can include a warmup for core activation focus, breath awareness, whole body work with glute work, band resistance work to increase or decrease the difficulty of the exercise, standing challenges and some stretching or fascial release work to end the session.

?

What does Pilates help with?

Pilates helps with a weak core, poor posture, muscle imbalances around joints, and faulty breath patterns which can be contributing factors for headaches, neck pain, mid-back pain, low back pain, hip pain, shoulder issues, knee pain, patellar tracking issues, poor foot mechanics.  

?

What are the payment options for treatments?

Payment options are e-transfer and debit. 

?

How often should someone take Pilates?

In-person sessions at ProActive Pilates can be done 1 to 2x/week. For optimal improvement of your issues or goals, I do typically send you home with a few homework exercises to do 3-5x/week.

?

What should I wear to my sessions?

Clients are encouraged to wear clothing they can move in, such as a T-shirt or tank top and shorts or tights/leggings. If the joint or problem area can be exposed, it is helpful during the assessments and treatments.

?

How often should I undergo treatments?

Treatments are usually booked 1-2x/week initially after the assessment and then can eventually decrease in frequency to 1x/2-3 weeks as progressions are needed. 

?

What's different from being at your studio rather than watching DVDs at home?

The individual assessment of your specific issues helps guide the treatment plan, which is targeted to meet your specific issues and goals, vs. a generic DVD. My 25 years of physiotherapy experience and 18 years of pilates experience can streamline and speed up recovery.  My continuing education helps inform you of up to date research and eliminates exercises that have been deemed to be less effective, but might still be part of an outdated DVD or YouTube program. This is the only body you have, why would you trust a DVD to help or fix it? 

?

What is continence and why do you promote it?

Stress Incontinence is leakage of urine, which can happen with laughing, coughing, sneezing, or jumping. Urge Incontinence is a leakage of urine when you have a sudden urge to urinate and you can’t control or hold it in time to get to a toilet. Continence is the ability to control your movements of the bowel and bladder. Education is a key to ensuring optimal pelvic floor tone and strength as well as the ability to dissipate forces that can create the downward impact on the bladder causing leakage.

?

How is Pilates different than yoga and other exercises?

In broad terms, Pilates tends to focus more on core activation and stabilization as well as postural alignment in all exercises.  It also has flexibility benefits and strength through various ranges of motion.  Breath is a large component of pilates as well, as the timing of the exercises are done with the breath. Pilates was started as dancer rehabilitation and as such the lengthening or growing tall/long cuing can increase muscle activation and tends to create long, lean muscles typically seen in dancers. 

?

Why do Pilates?

Pilates helps bring mind-body awareness and focuses on ideal technique with slower movements for control and stabilization.  It improves your breath awareness and technique making the diaphragm more efficient which can help decrease stress levels. Core strengthening and improved sitting and standing posture and awareness are added benefits of this kind of exercise. After a session of pilates, most clients feel more engaged, aware of their bodies and energized, all while feeling an overall sense of calm.

?

What equipment is needed for Pilates?

At ProActive Pilates, any equipment needed will be provided to you during your session. Small Equipment for mat-based work can include air-filled balls, weighted balls, fitness circles and bands for resistance work, bolsters and head pads for optimal lying alignment. ProActive Pilates also has large equipment including a Merrithew (Stott) V2Max, which is a Reformer with an added vertical frame, as well as a jumpboard, long box, and arc barrel for modifications.

?

Do I absolutely need equipment for Pilates sessions?

Many of the mat-based exercises can be done without equipment, or I provide suggestions of using a rolled-up towel for home use to replace balls used in the studio.

?

Should I do Pilates even with a chronic injury or pain?

Absolutely, but it is important that you have been assessed and the focus of the pilates exercises are appropriate for the level you are currently at, with the issues or pain you are experiencing.  Many of the pilates exercises, if taught in the ideal progressions will help decrease your pain and help with your chronic issue.

?

How long before I see results?

Depending on your issue, some clients will have pain relief immediately, with education to help improve posture or awareness that can cause the issues. On the other hand, it may take up to 4-6 weeks for the core activation or strengthening to occur with regular homework exercises. You should leave the studio on the first day, more informed on your issue, what contributing factors may be involved in causing it and how we can work together on fixing it.

?

How long will it take to recover via physio and Pilates from an injury?

That depends on the injury, but 4-6 weeks is a typical timeframe. But you should leave the initial assessment, more informed on your issue, what contributing factors may be involved in causing it and how we can work together on fixing it as well as a foundational exercise to do at home to help it. 

?

What should I avoid doing during treatments?

Seeing multiple practitioners that are working on the same issue can complicate the recovery process. 

?

When should someone seek your physio and Pilates services?

If you are looking to improve your core activation, core strength, improve your posture, help with incontinence, decrease stress levels, help with pain or discomfort, my 25 years of physiotherapy expertise, education, and experience can help you!