Pilates at Amato Chiropractic Wellness Center

Pilates is a physical training technique that teaches the muscles to move the bones/joints in the most efficient way. Pilates is done on specialized equipment against the resistance of springs, or on mats against the resistance of ones own body weight.

Though the image of pilates seems “new”, it is not a newly developed technique. Joseph Pilates started developing Pilates in World War I, working with fellow prisoners and later with disabled war time victims using the springs from hospital beds for resistance. Mr. Pilates immigrated to America in 1926, and shortly after established the first Pilates Studio in New York City. His studio caught the attention dance legends and others who sent their students to him to help rehabilitate injured knees, backs, joints, and muscles. It is now used by people in all walks of life.

Equipment Pilates is a whole body workout developing balanced, toned muscles, core stability ad increasing range of motion and flexibility. This is important for everyone, and we find it especially beneficial for rehabilitation of injuries, post-surgical recovery, pre and post natal exercise, and for those that face limitations with physical exercise.

Conditions that responded well to Pilates Rehabilitation:

• Chronic neck and back pain
• Sciatica
• Shoulder impingement/tendinitis
• Hip bursitis
• Ankle injuries
• Total knee/hip replacements
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Fibromyalgia
• Scoliosis

The physical awareness that one develops from a Pilates program can help prevent future risk of injury while engaging in other sports, or in normal daily activities. Pilates has long been used by professional athletes because it refines strength, balance and coordination, while the use of breath allows for improved oxygen flow, releasing tension, and promoting relaxation.

Pilates starts off by neutralizing the effects of gravity, because one is lying down, either on the mat or on the reformer. This helps to reduce the muscle build up in the legs and arms, which, of course, ballet dancers really like. However, by the end of a session, clients should be standing up because that is how we naturally go about our daily business. And we should take our Pilates corrections into our daily world.

If you are rehabilitating a specific condition, and your insurance covers a certain amount of treatments for that condition, then a referral must be obtained from your Chiropractor, or other treating Physician (This does not pertain to duet or group Reformer classes)

Reformer Pilates is considered a full body strength building workout, suitable for those that are healthy, physically active with a basic understanding of Pilates body mechanics/safety, wishing to further develop their core strength and gain flexibility. In our classes, we use Studio Reformers in addition to various tools that assist or challenge the standard repertoire of exercises.

Yes, all classes, private and group are open to the community, please call for current class schedules.

Comfortable exercise clothing. Changing room is provided if needed.

Instead of increasing the load or repetitions as the body adapts, as with weight lifting, Pilates changes the “stress” on the body by adding new exercises that require more sophisticated use of the muscles and more range of motion.

Pilates works muscle systems, counterbalancing the systems against each other; unlike weight lifting which isolates and works the muscles individually. Pilates requires the stabilization of some muscles while others are moving bones.

The breathing system is part of the exercise in Pilates, with emphasis on correct breathing techniques to increase breathing capacity.

The equipment and focus uses eccentric contractions of the muscles, developing long strong muscles, rather than short, tight, bulky muscles.

Pilates focuses on good posture, flexibility, and strength, leading to a better sense of overall wellbeing.

Pilates is an excellent way to strengthen core muscles before and after pregnancy as it helps you regain abdominal tone and aids in a quicker delivery and recovery time. Pilates exercise will give the needed strength and support to the lumbar and pelvic area. While the baby is developing and growing, the spine is often stretched and pulled out of its proper alignment, causing back pain. The deep hip flexor muscles called the psoas and the lateral trunk flexors called the quadratus lumborum become tight and the ligaments become loose. This is due to a hormone called relaxin that is released into your system causing instability in your joints. Pilates safely stretches and strengthens the weak muscles after pregnancy to help realign the spine. Moreover, proper breathing techniques encourage relaxation and an easier delivery.

Of all the professional athletes doing Pilates, golfers have adapted to it the fastest. Pilates focuses on movement from the center of the body, or core musculature.

Golfers can:

• Gain balance to hit farther, straighter and more accurately
• Increase flexibility, allowing broader range of motion in their swing
• Reshape their body with long, lean, sleek muscles
• Build stability in the pelvis

Pilates devotees include David Duval, Annika Sorenstem, Kelli Kuehne, and Rocco Mediat among others.