The Pilates system of exercise enhances strength and flexibility, while correcting postural misalignment and muscular imbalance and faulty movement patterns. These benefits are particularly important after any type of surgery. Most Pilates instructor certification programs, such as Stott Pilates and Polestar Education, offer a specialized Pilates post rehabilitation certification program.
Pilates Therapeutic History
Joseph Pilates was own first patient. Lacking the natural fitness skills of the athletes and dancers who would someday become his students, and suffering from a long list of physical ailments, Pilates created a workout system that helped him overcome his physical disabilities. As a German citizen working in England during World War I, Pilates was sent to a British internment camp, where he rigged the hospital bed springs to create makeshift physical therapy for his fellow internees. After the war, he moved to the United States and on the boat met his bride-to-be. Clara, a nurse, helped modify the Pilates exercises to treat medical conditions.
Breast Cancer
In 1955, professional dancer and Pilates student Eve Gentry was diagnosed with breast cancer. After undergoing a full, radical mastectomy, Joseph Pilates helped her regain full upper body strength and range of motion. The Pilates Pink Ribbon program provides Pilates-evolved exercise for post mastectomy patients.
The specialized method involves modified Pilates exercise on the mat and apparatus. The patient begins with small, upper body rotational movements and progresses to exercises that involve rolling a ball up the wall and further increasing range of motion. Once the patient achieves adequate movement range, she performs resistance training exercises using Pilates bands or the cable and spring system on the equipment.
Complications
Lymphedema describes a swelling around the chest, armpits and arms. While relatively uncommon, lymphedema is a possible side effect of post-mastectomy exercise. Mastectomy involves lymph node removal, which makes the patient susceptible to lymphatic fluid buildup. The gentle arm movements of Pilates exercise may massage and help drain the lymph nodes, says physical therapist Doreen Puglisi, but therapist Suzanne Martin warns that susceptible patients should use a special sleeve when performing Pilates exercises.
Spinal Stenosis
Pilates exercise provides rehabilitation for different types of back surgeries. Spinal stenosis, which MayoClinic.com describes as a narrowing of one or more sections of the spine, requires flexion exercise for pain relief, explains physical therapist and Pilates instructor Chrissy-Romani Ruby. Romani-Ruby uses the the Pilates chair with her spinal stenosis patients. She has her patients stand sideways next to the chair pedals and forward flex their spinal columns. One hand pushes down against the pedals, while the other hand reaches toward the ceiling.
Disc Surgery
While spinal stenosis requires flexion exercise, herniated disc surgery requires extension, says Romani-Ruby. She uses the Pilates chair in the prone position for her disc surgery patients. The pedals, in this type of exercise, create assistance as opposed to resistance. The patient assumes a prone position with his legs lifted and extended, and both of his hands on the pedals. He presses down against the pedals as he arches his back and extends his spine.
Knee Injury
Anterior cruciate ligament or ACL tears require a complex surgical intervention.Therapeutic goals include regaining strength -- especially hamstring strength and gradually regaining full flexion and extension. In the early post-surgery stages, ACL patients cannot perform full weight-bearing exercises. The Pilates reformer provides effective training at this stage of therapy. The patient assumes a supine position on the reformer carriage, with her feet against the foot bar. The therapist sets a minimal level of resistance, as the patient bends and extends her legs. Once she achieves full range of of motion, she trains her hamstrings with the supine bridge. She begins with legs bent and feet on the foot bar, and lifts each vertebra form the mat until she forms a spinal bridge. She remains in the bridge as she bends and straightens her legs.
Advanced Post ACL Therapy
Physical therapist Brent Anderson, founder of the Polestar Pilates certification program stresses the importance of weight bearing exercise for ACL surgery patients. Anderson uses the Pilates chair for this purpose. The patient performs upright lunges with one foot on top of the chair, and the other foot pressing down against the foot pedals. As he performs the exercises, the therapist observes his knee alignment, and makes sure the knees and shins track in the correct direction.
