Pilates Therapy

The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department at University Hospital offers Pilates rehabilitation therapy. Pilates is a form of core and extremity strengthening that can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including low back pain, shoulder pain, and knee pain.

Pilates (pronounced peh-lot-ees) is an exercise technique developed by Joseph Pilates eighty years ago. Pilates was influenced by both western and eastern methods of exercise. He sought to blend both to create an exercise system with the perfect balance of strength and flexibility without excess muscle bulk. His technique has been widely used in the professional dance community for decades and in recent years the medical community has realized the effectiveness of Pilates and its application to injury prevention and rehabilitation.

The goals of Pilates are to restore muscle strength and length, correct faulty movement patterns, and to improve core control and body awareness. The exercises are adaptable to all levels of fitness and can be applied to multiple diagnoses.

What to Expect from Therapy

Treatment may include mat exercises and/or exercise on specialized equipment. Three outpatient sites have equipment including Reformers, Combo Chairs, Ladder Barrels and Cadillacs (Trapeze Table). Please arrive 15 minutes early to your first appointment to complete paperwork and wear or bring comfortable clothing to exercise in.

Who Benefits from this Program

Pilates is offered to individuals receiving services within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physical therapy program, based on the needs of the patient, following a complete evaluation.