Pilates in Physical Therapy

• The interest and popularity of Pilates is increasing worldwide. In addition to being used in fitness programs, it is being used in some rehabilitation programs. There is a significant amount of research and clinical evidence supporting the benefits of Pilates exercises.
• Pilates also incorporates set breathing patterns. Set breathing patterns are when inhalation occurs during one phase of a specific movement/ exercise, and exhalation during another phase of the movement. Active breathing is also proven to increase respiratory muscle strength and performance.

• People with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) frequently experience balance and mobility impairments, including reduced trunk stability. Pilates-based core stability training, which is aimed at improving control of the body’s stabilizing muscles, is popular as a form of exercise with people with MS and therapists. MS symptoms such as fatigue sensation can be reduced and physical performance can improved in MS patients by Pilates exercises.
• Studies have shown the effectiveness of a few weekly Pilates sessions as helping to reduce lower back pain. Improvements in pain, disability and physical and psychological perception of health in individuals who completed daily sessions of Pilates have been found.
• Modern Pilates mat and ball exercises were effective in reducing obesity, body composition parameters and flexibility in sedentary obese women.
• The use of Pilates was found to improve ongoing Low Back Pain (LBP) in patients who received conventional physiotherapy treatment, the improvement was most obvious in the female population group.