Post-Operative Pilates

So you’ve had surgery and you’re eager to return to your Pilates practice. Or perhaps your post-op recovery is motivating you to begin Pilates for the very first time? As soon as you have doctor’s permission to begin, doing Pilates could be one of the best means possible for getting back into shape!
Joseph Pilates originally designed his intricate system of stretching and strengthening for injured World War I soldiers, so from its inception, Pilates was designed to be rehabilitative. When he emigrated to New York in 1926, dancers, boxers, fencers, and others flocked to him because he was able to fix their damaged bodies. And in recent decades, a thorough evaluation of Pilates by physical therapists and movement educators has targeted Pilates to have even more precise uses for many physical conditions.

What are some of the conditions that can benefit from Pilates post-operatively?

Hip and most other joint replacements
Spinal surgery
Knee surgery
Tummy tuck
Hysterectomy
Caesarean
Rhyzotomy
Mastectomy
Dental and jaw surgery
Ankle, foot, leg, arm, and hand surgery
Thoracic Outlet surgery
Sports-related injuries that require surgery
Sympathetic blocks and stem cell injections that require surgery

Whatever your condition, properly taught Pilates can offer you a stable framework through which to achieve health,strength, and an overall sense of well being!

Take your time to shop around for a Pilates teacher with whom you feel comfortable. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about a teacher’s credentials and experience. While some physical therapists are also certified in Pilates, others work in conjunction with a PIlates instructor. Once your physical therapy has been completed, a physical therapist will often recommend that you continue on with a qualified Pilates instructor. An ideal situation is one in which the Pilates teacher checks in with the physical therapist should any questions arise about the patient’s body during the Pilates sessions. A Pilates teacher can recommend that a client get back in touch with their physical therapist if any obstructions to movement arise during the Pilates lesson.

It is the job of a good physical therapist to remove any obstructions the client has to movement. It is the job of a good Pilates teacher to educate and shape the client’s body by correctly applying the beautiful system of Pilates.