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Clinical Pilates With A Physio

At Bend + Mend our private sessions are all run by Physiotherapists and incorporate the use of the Reformer, Trapeze Tower and other Pilates equipment.

What is Clinical Pilates?

Clinical Pilates is a form of low-impact resistance exercise that addresses your specific muscular needs. It can improve tight, weak and painful parts of your body. Pilates using equipment benefits your body by building muscle from the inside out. It starts with your core and stability muscles which are the deepest muscles that surround your joints, and then works on the bigger muscles which help you move.

Pilates with a Physiotherapist can also stretch and mobilise areas that become tight over time. Whether you sit at a desk, or are on your feet all day, certain areas of your body will tighten more than others. Our Pilates sessions directly address these areas.

Clinical Pilates is different to Mat Pilates because you are assessed by a specially trained Pilates Physio who assesses your movement patterns and strength and forms a targeted treatment program.

Overall, Clinical Pilates is highly effective in the management and prevention of spinal pain and other musculoskeletal conditions, designed to improve your core stability, flexibility, and postural control.

Who is it Suitable For?

Clinical Pilates is beneficial for a wide range of people of all different ages, from the sedentary office worker to the elite sporting population, teenagers as they grow right through to older people to reduce falls risk.

It can help with prevention of injuries, injury rehabilitation, spinal pain, post-op surgery recovery ans well as pregnancy and post-natal care.

Here at Bend + Mend we also use Clinical Pilates as an exercise option for those with multiple sclerosis, spinal scoliosis, osteoporosis, those with joint hypermobility syndrome, sciatica as well as dancers and runners. There really isn’t anyone who would not benefit from this type of exercise when supervised by a Physiotherapist.

What to Expect From Our Clinical Pilates Sessions

All Bend + Mend private sessions are run by Physiotherapists and incorporate the use of the Reformer, Trapeze Tower and other Pilates equipment. You will initially undergo an initial assessment with one of our highly trained Physiotherapists to devise the most appropriate programme based on your needs and goals. Once you are comfortable and competent using the equipment, you may either continue with our specialised one-on-one care or continue your tailored programme in one of our small Group Classes.

Our Initial Pilates Assessment is 45 mins in one of our private treatment rooms. You are welcome to change into active wear and socks at the clinic.

During your sessions the exercises that initially feel difficult will start to become easier as your body improves its motor control and the muscles start to work more efficiently. We then progress to the harder, more complex exercises.

All our Clinical Pilates classes are also 45 minutes and are run by our Physiotherapists who have been trained in Clinical Pilates. We have 4 people maximum in a class, and each person follows their own individualised program. We do not run different class levels as your Physio will personally tailor your exercises for your own level within the session. Most people benefit from Pilates once or twice a week depending on your other weekly exercise.

Our Physiotherapist-led sessions entitle you to claim under “Physiotherapy” with your private health fund. You can benefit from the immediate private health insurance refund using our HICAPS machine.

Our Equipment

Reformer: Our studio in Martin Place uses four Pilates reformers (DMA reformers and balanced body reformers). These reformers use spring resistance that offer low to high resistance and enable exercises to be performed in lying, sitting, standing and kneeling. We add platforms to the reformer for more exercise variety which can also be used as a  jumpboard for higher impact. The position you adopt on the reformer dictates the spring level your Physio will apply. For example you may find a plank on the reformer vs doing a plank on the mat is a lot harder.

Trapeze table: The Trapeze provides more room to lie, stand or sit on with different bars and springs to pull or push to improve muscle activation, strength and core stability. 

Wunda Chair: Although smaller many of our clients recognise the varying levels of difficulty provided by the Wunda Chair! The variation in resistance provided on a smaller piece of equipment encourages the body to work harder and stabilise more, using the core and limb muscles at their greatest efficiency.

Bend + Mend also incorporates small equipment such as bands, BOSU, rings and small balls. These add an extra element of difficulty to exercises depending on where they are placed!

Clinical Pilates Near Me at Bend + Mend, Sydney CBD

We have one main studio location at Martin Place that offers Clinical Pilates with a Physio, which includes reformers, trapeze table and the Wunda chair. This location offers on-site changerooms, filtered water and pilates grip socks to purchase.

Pricing

  • Initial Clinical Pilates Assessment (45’) – $145
  • Follow-up Clinical Pilates Session (45’) – $140

Our Qualified Pilates Instructors

 

Alle Foster – Lower back pain; arthritis; pre- and post-natal conditioning

Clodagh Gray – Sports rehabilitation; post-surgical knee and shoulder rehab; lower back and neck pain

Adrian Cerra – Sports injuries, lower limb conditions; lower back pain; running-related injuries

Divashni Kumar– Knee pain, neck and back pain, shoulder injuries

Fiona Godsall – Lower back pain; scoliosis

Kellie Jansen – Clinical Pilates; neck pain; lower back pain

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I do Clinical Pilates?

We recommend doing Pilates at least once a week. Many of our clients also choose to attend twice a week depending on their other exercise commitments. Classes can also be attended once or twice per week.

Why do I need an Initial Assessment?

Everyone is built differently; some people are stiff and others are hypermobile. Some people have old injuries and some have more general aches and pains. Some people have muscular conditions that need to be taken into consideration and others are ready to jump in. As Physio’s we need to establish a safe baseline with everyone individually first to know how quickly we can progress and where they should get started.

What's the difference Between Pilates and Clinical Pilates?

Pilates is usually run as a generic class where everyone does the same or similar exercises. The exercises are generally not tailored for the individual when there is a large group of people on machines.

Clinical Pilates means that each individual has an assessment first to measure strength, mobility and stability. Then the class or one-on-one session is modified for your individual needs and goals. Having only four people in each class gives the Physio time to address each person’s needs in terms of exercise difficulty, spring resistance, and overall effect on the body.

What is the difference between Yoga and Pilates?

Yoga classes will usually consist of physical postures and stretching, as well as breathing and meditation and are usually done in a large group. It commonly focuses on stretching rather than strength and stability (depending on the type).

Pilates also includes elements of stretching and mobility but has a large bias towards strength and control, increasing movement efficiency so you get more from your body. Clinical Pilates with a Physio as a private session or in a small group goes that one step further by tailoring the program to the individual and being adaptable for injury and recovery from pain.

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