“Not only is health a normal condition, but it is our duty to not only attain it but to maintain it.” J.H.Pilates
Using the Pilates equipment, especially the reformer for people with neurological conditions can be very helpful. Patients feel safe and secure, the movement is supported by spring tension helping to stretch and strengthen in a controlled way. Repeated movements create rhythm and flow which helps to improve normal patterns such as gait, helps to gain confidence with movement etc. We use the equipment to re-educate balance, weight transfer and focus on correct efficient breathing.
There are many different types of neurological disorders. They could be as a result of a brain injury or brain damage, trauma, autoimmune disorders, genetics, nerve palsy or nerve injury. The most common neurological disorders we tend to see in the Pilates Studio are people affected by MS, Parkinson's Disease, stroke, muscular dystrophy and neurological deficits due to traumatic brain or nerve injury.
Although each person will experience symptoms relating to their illness in different ways and levels of severity, it has now been widely acknowledged by scientist and medicine that exercise such as Pilates is highly beneficial to those suffering from neurological disorders. Muscle imbalance, compensatory movement patterns, loss or impairment of balance, changes in range of motion, lack of core strength and spasticity can all be positively influenced by Pilates exercises, especially when started at the early onset of the disease.
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For more information on Pilates and Neurological Rehabilitation, take a peek at these resources:
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/elder/3354927/Parkinsons-Can-Pilates-help.html
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