Pilates is an excellent way to condition and gain strength, flexibility, and overall body symmetry, while minimizing impact on joints. We specialize in the development of individualized Pilates exercise programs, focusing on impairments experienced by patients who are undergoing and recovering from cancer-related treatment.
What is Pilates?
Pilates is an integrated form of exercise, using a combination of spring-loaded equipment and mat work. It is a very low impact form of exercise, focusing on teaching and enabling correct body mechanics during exercise. Pilates seeks to improve strength and flexibility, while not having to repeat large numbers of repetitions of each exercise.
Pilates is an integrated form of exercise, using a combination of spring-loaded equipment and mat work. It is a very low impact form of exercise, focusing on teaching and enabling correct body mechanics during exercise. Pilates seeks to improve strength and flexibility, while not having to repeat large numbers of repetitions of each exercise.
Shannon Pascoe, PT, DPT - a Certified PilatesInstructor treating with a Pilates reformer
Why is Pilates a Good Form of Exercise for Oncology Rehab Patients?
Patients can regain confidence and vitality through the gentleness of the Pilates exercise methods. The adjustable, spring-loaded machines provide appropriate exercises for patients experiencing fatigue or anemia, and patients who are debilitated from chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
The deep breathing that is integral with every Pilates-based exercise improves lymphatic drainage. What’s more, by improving body posture and activating the muscle pump action in the limbs, lymphatic fluid movement out of affected limbs will be assisted, thus promoting fluid volume reduction. Strengthening of muscles and joints in the affected limb and/or body quadrant will minimize the strain on the body by the added weight and heaviness of lymphatic limbs. Pilates also promotes stabilization to shoulders, low back, and the pelvic region. This is significantly important for overall health and function, especially after combination treatments of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapies, such as tamoxifen, arimidex, aromasin, and femara.
Patients can regain confidence and vitality through the gentleness of the Pilates exercise methods. The adjustable, spring-loaded machines provide appropriate exercises for patients experiencing fatigue or anemia, and patients who are debilitated from chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
The deep breathing that is integral with every Pilates-based exercise improves lymphatic drainage. What’s more, by improving body posture and activating the muscle pump action in the limbs, lymphatic fluid movement out of affected limbs will be assisted, thus promoting fluid volume reduction. Strengthening of muscles and joints in the affected limb and/or body quadrant will minimize the strain on the body by the added weight and heaviness of lymphatic limbs. Pilates also promotes stabilization to shoulders, low back, and the pelvic region. This is significantly important for overall health and function, especially after combination treatments of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapies, such as tamoxifen, arimidex, aromasin, and femara.
What Are the Rehabilitative Goals of Pilates Based Programs at Oncology Rehab?
- Body Mechanics Awareness, to Improve/Restore Normal Movement Patterns
- Core Strengthening, to Provide a Strong Foundation for Recovery of Strength/Flexibility/ROM
- Improvement in Functioning of the Lymphatic System
- Assists with Risk Reduction in Patients Recovering from Surgery and Radiation
- Assists with Volume Reduction for Patients with Existing Lymphedema Conditions