Heads Up on Your Body

What is the Difference Between Pilates and Physical Therapy?

This is a topic that has come up between pilates teachers, and even at my studio, Rhinebeck Pilates. Is pilates the same as physical therapy? Do changes need to be made to the pilates method to make the exercises more theraputic?

This is a hotly debated topic amongst pilates teachers. Some feel that modifications and additions need to be made to the method, while others feel that teaching good ol’, classical pilates is the way to go. It is my opinion that no major changes need to be made to the method and it works as is!

I was inspired to finally blog about it when Alycea Ungaro recently blogged about it herself, on her blog, Pilates Speak. This week, she started a spirited discussion on what pilates really is, based on a recent interview she had with a perspective teacher.

Here is an excerpt from her blog:

“Pilates is fitness.
It can be slow, or meticulous or both.
It can be corrective in nature.
It can be incredibly healing (as exercise often is).
But it’s fitness plain and simple.

In my blog post here, I want to discuss the following questions: What is Pilates? What is Physical Therapy? Can Pilates be like, or can pilates replace, physical therapy?

According to the Pilates Method Alliance, pilates is:

“Pilates is a method of exercise developed by German-born Joseph Pilates. In 1926, Joseph and Clara Pilates brought their exercise system, originally called “Contrology”, to New York City. The Pilates method is a physical movement program designed to stretch, strengthen, and balance the body.

Pilates exercise focuses on postural symmetry, breath control, abdominal strength, spine, pelvis and shoulder stabilization, muscular flexibility, joint mobility and strengthening through the complete range of motion of all joints. Instead of isolating muscle groups, the whole body is trained, integrating the upper and lower extremities with the trunk.”

Here is the definition of physical therapy, according to the American Physical Therapy Association:

“Physical therapists help people with orthopedic conditions such as low back pain or osteoporosis; joint and soft tissue injuries such as fractures and dislocations; neurologic conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, or Parkinson’s disease; connective tissue injuries such as burns or wounds; cardiopulmonary and circulatory conditions such as congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and workplace injuries including repetitive stress disorders and sports injuries.

It is important to know that physical therapy can be provided only by qualified physical therapists or by physical therapist assistants working under the supervision of a physical therapist.”

By reading the definitions of pilates and phsyical therapy, there’s obviously many similarities, and also some glaring differences. Even in the photos here, there are obvious differences in the setting alone.

The first sentence in the definition of pilates says, “Pilates is a method of exercise”. For me, and many fully certified pilates instructors, and Alycea and the Pilates Method Alliance, that sentence says it all. Can exercise be healing? Yes, definitely, and in many ways. It can clear your mind, deepen your breathing, and strengthen you physically and mentally. But that is where we have to leave it. Exercise is not the same thing as physical therapy, even mindful exercise like pilates.

So if we’re so clear on what pilates is, then why is there an argument going on in the pilates world?! There are a few reasons, actually, and I mentioned them in a comment on Alycea’s blog. Another reason for the confusion is that pilates is often recommended to people by their doctors, chiropractors, and also physical therapists as a way of continuing to heal the body after an injury or as a way to strengthen the body before surgery.

I have seen pilates make so many beneficial changes in people who come in based on a doctor’s recommendation. The interesting thing is, the exercises of pilates is what helps people.

No changes need to be made to the method for there to be benefits. An instructor may slow down, leave out, or modify some exercises based on the physical needs of the client, but no new exercises need to be added for pilates to be beneficial towards healing or strengthening.

So, to sum up this long and winding post, I think that pilates can be used to as a type of therapy, the way any exercise is therapy. Due to the mindful nature of pilates, it is especially theraputic, mentally and physically. However, if you are really looking for physical therapy for specific reason or injury, keep in mind the two definitions I posted above. Decide which one, pilates or physical therapy (or both) sounds best for you!

For the Pilates Method Alliance web site:
http://www.pilatesmethodalliance.org/

For the American Physical Therapy Association:
http://www.apta.org/

For Alycea Ungaro’s pilates blog and this topic:
http://pilatesblog.realpilatesnyc.com/2008/04/13/functional-pilates.aspx

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