What Is Clinical Pilates?
Clinical Pilates is a specialised form of exercise that combines traditional Pilates principles with physiotherapy expertise. Unlike regular Pilates classes at your local gym, Clinical Pilates is tailored and individualised to your specific needs by qualified health professionals, typically physiotherapists with advanced Pilates training. This therapeutic approach focuses on rehabilitating injuries, managing chronic conditions, and preventing future problems through carefully prescribed movements. Each exercise is modified based on your individual assessment, making it suitable for people recovering from injury, managing pain, or simply wanting to move better and get stronger.
How does Clinical Pilates work?
Clinical Pilates blends the principles of traditional mat-based Pilates with a focus on breath, core strength, control, and precision of movement. Using both mat and reformer, it can be tailored specifically to your individual needs, medical history, and past injuries.
Clinical Pilates is an effective way to reduce pain while helping you build strength and improve overall health. The combination of mat exercises and reformer work ensures low-impact movement, which reduces the risk of injury and allows you to exercise safely. This makes Clinical Pilates a highly versatile and beneficial form of exercise, suitable for people of all fitness levels.
What are the benefits of pilates?
- Improve flexibility.
- Improve co-ordination and balance.
- Increase body awareness and proprioception.
- Improve strength.
- Reduce muscle imbalances.
- Improve posture and alignment.
- Increase core strength including the abdominal muscles, back, hip and gluteal muscles.
What conditions can benefit from Clinical Pilates?
Common conditions that Pilates can benefit at ME Physio include:
- Acute low back or spinal pain
- Neck pain and headaches
- Sciatica
- Shoulder impingement
- Pre and post-natal care
- Persistent or chronic pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Post-operative rehabilitation
What to Expect in a Clinical Pilates Session
Your first clinical Pilates session begins with a thorough assessment. Your physiotherapist discusses your medical history, current symptoms, and functional goals. They assess your movement quality, strength, flexibility, and posture to identify areas needing attention.
Sessions typically last 40 – 45 minutes and can be conducted one-on-one or in small groups, depending on your needs. You’ll use specialised Pilates equipment like the reformer, trapeze table, along with mat-based exercises. Your physiotherapist provides hands-on guidance, correcting your form and ensuring proper muscle activation.
Expect precise, controlled movements rather than high-intensity workouts. You’ll focus on breath coordination, muscle engagement, and movement quality. Your physiotherapist continuously monitors your technique and adjusts exercises as you progress. Many people notice improved body awareness after just a few sessions, though significant functional improvements typically develop over several weeks of consistent practice.
Clinical Pilates in Malvern, Melbourne
To join our Clinical Pilates classes, call us on (03) 9571 6888 or click the “book now” button to organise your first assessment.
At ME Physio, we offer Clinical Pilates that is specifically tailored to help you get healthier and stronger. Our personalised approach ensures that exercises are customised to your needs, allowing for more focused attention and feedback as you progress.
We offer a variety of Pilates services, including one-on-one sessions or small group classes of up to four people. All assessments and programs are supervised and designed by our highly trained physiotherapists, who have completed additional Pilates training. This unique combination of clinical expertise and Pilates training ensures you receive the most effective exercises for your individual goals.
After a thorough assessment, our physiotherapists will provide you with a personalised treatment plan and individualised program for you to work through in your Clinical Pilates classes with the help of our expert team.
To get started, contact us on 9571 6888 or book an appointment online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Clinical Pilates?
Clinical Pilates is Pilates that is specifically designed and tailored for your individual needs by a trained physiotherapist. Following a thorough assessment, your physiotherapist is able to prescribe and recommend exercise that are specific for you and your needs based on your injury, injury history and relevant medical history.
What is the difference between Clinical Pilates and normal Pilates?
Clinical Pilates is tailored specifically for you. It takes into account your specific injury and physical needs, medical history and previous injuries. In addition, you’ll commonly utilise additional equipment during Clinical Pilates such as the Trapeze Table, Reformer and Barrel.
Reformer pilates usually has multiple people all completing the same or similar program.
How often should you do Clinical Pilates?
Whilst Clinical Pilates should be done at least twice a week, your program will be tailored and individualised based on what you need to address but your program takes into consideration all your physical activities and exercise throughout the week.
Given that Clinical Pilates is specifically tailored for you, your physiotherapist at ME Physio is best placed to discuss how often you should do Clinical Pilates to get maximum benefit.
Can I claim my Clinical Pilates appointment on Private Health insurance?
Given that our physiotherapists at ME Physio supervise and program your Clinical Pilates program – you are able to claim Clinical Pilates on Private Health Insurance extras.
We are able to claim on-the-spot using HICAPs when you bring your card to your appointment. Where required or for prepaid packs, our team will provide you with a receipt with all details that will assist in claiming your Clinical Pilates through your private health insurer after the date of service.
What should I wear to Clinical Pilates?
Wear comfortable clothes that you are able to exercise in. In addition, we recommend wearing grip socks to allow you to get the most out of your clinical pilates exercises.