Looking for Clinical Pilates in Lisbon?
Do you live in Lisbon and have been advised to do Clinical Pilates? At Shift Care, you will find the most qualified professionals to support you in your recovery.
What is Clinical Pilates?
Clinical Pilates is a therapeutic form of Pilates used by physiotherapists in the rehabilitation of people with medical conditions. It combines physical exercise with physiotherapy, providing a specialised training approach tailored to each patient’s needs.
The exercises work multiple muscle groups simultaneously and focus on the body’s core (also known as the powerhouse: the abdominal muscles, diaphragm, pelvic floor, and glutes).
Clinical Pilates can be performed on equipment (Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, and Spine Corrector) or on a mat, using only a mat.
What is Clinical Pilates indicated for?
Clinical Pilates has very similar indications to physiotherapy:
- Rehabilitation of muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries, fractures, and recovery from orthopedic surgery; it also includes sports injuries in both amateur and professional athletes
- Central and peripheral neurological conditions (strokes, spinal cord injuries), traumatic brain injury, spinal conditions (namely herniated discs), multiple sclerosis, ALS, ankylosing spondylitis, among others
- Asthma, oncological conditions, and rehabilitation after cardiac and abdominal surgery
- Pre- and post-partum care, stress, urge, and mixed incontinence, and pelvic floor-related conditions
What does a Clinical Pilates session at SHIFT CARE look like?
Clinical Pilates sessions are typically carried out in 2 phases:
- Assessment: At the beginning of the session, a brief evaluation is performed to collect clinical data, signs, and symptoms described by the patient, as well as a postural assessment.
- Intervention: This is followed by breathing exercises and activation of the core muscles to correct breathing patterns. Afterwards, sequences of exercises are performed on equipment such as the Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, Spine Corrector, or others. These sequences are carried out in a slow and controlled manner and adapted to each person, depending on their condition, symptoms, and well-being. The emphasis is not on quantity, but on the quality of movement: only a few repetitions of each exercise are performed, with a focus on technique and execution.
Sessions last approximately 50 minutes.
What are the benefits of Clinical Pilates?
Clinical Pilates is a highly useful tool for overcoming difficulties resulting from musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions at all stages of life: children, adolescents, adults, pre- and post-partum women, and older adults. Its benefits include:
- Improved strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance
- Increased muscle tone
- Reduced stress and relief of muscle tension
- Increased body awareness and concentration
- Improved postural alignment
- Reduced pain associated with inflammation
- Faster recovery from injury and prevention of future injuries
- It also plays an important role in stress reduction