Transform Your Rehab: The Power of Pilates in Injury Recovery

At Fortis, we’re committed to providing comprehensive, evidence-based care that helps our patients recover, move better, and feel stronger. One therapeutic approach often combined with physiotherapy is Pilates—a system of controlled, low-impact movements proven to help with recovery, injury prevention, and long-term physical health that fi ts seamlessly into physiotherapy programs.

Recent research supports what many physiotherapists already know from clinical experience: Pilates is a powerful, evidence-based complement to rehabilitation. Whether you're recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, or aiming to improve your mobility, Pilates can support your journey with safe, targeted movement.

What Is Pilates?

Pilates is a low-impact exercise method that focuses on core strength, posture, fl exibility, and precision of movement. Commonly associated with fi tness, Pilates can be adapted for rehabilitation - particularly effective in addressing muscular imbalances, improving body awareness, and strengthening deep stabilising muscles—key components of any successful physiotherapy program.

At Fortis, some of our physiotherapists are also specially trained in Clinical Pilates. This means they understand how to apply Pilates principles safely and effectively within a therapeutic setting, tailored to your specifi c injury, condition, or recovery goals.

We can incorporate both mat and reformer based exercises into your rehab program, allowing us to customise each program for optimal outcomes—whether you need gentle mobility work, core strengthening, or post-surgical support.

With clinical guidance and one-on-one attention, you can be confi dent that your Pilates program is safe, purposeful, and aligned with your overall treatment plan.

Interested? Here’s how it works:

1. Improves Core Strength and Reduces Low Back Pain

A strong core provides essential support for the spine and helps reduce the risk of injury. Numerous studies show that Pilates-based interventions are effective in managing chronic low back pain.

• A 2023 meta-analysis in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies found that Pilates signifi cantly reduced pain and disability in patients with chronic low back pain, outperforming usual care and other exercise forms.

2. Enhances Flexibility and Joint Mobility

Unlike static stretching, Pilates builds fl exibility through controlled, dynamic movement, improving your range of motion without placing stress on healing joints or tissues.

• A 2025 randomised controlled trial reported that Pilates improved hamstring and lumbar fl exibility after one session of Clinical Pilates exercises in adults with non-specifi c chronic low back pain.

3. Encourages Better Posture

Postural issues are a common source of pain and dysfunction. Pilates emphasises proper body awareness,, helping correct the posture-related issues that often contribute to pain and dysfunction.

• A 2017 study in Musculoskeletal Science and Practice found that Pilates improved postural alignment, balance, and proprioception, especially in populations with desk-related or repetitive strain injuries. This is particularly valuable for neck and shoulder rehabilitation, where imbalances and pain often stems from poor posture.

4. Safe and Adaptable for All Conditions

Whether you're recovering from surgery, living with arthritis, or dealing with a sports injury, Pilates exercises can be modifi ed to suit any fi tness or injury level. It’s a gentle but effective approach that supports progress at your pace.

• According to the British Journal of Sports Medicine (2020), Pilates is a safe intervention for patients with osteoarthritis, post-operative joint replacements, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Its low-impact nature makes it suitable for post-surgical rehab, especially after knee, hip, or spinal procedures.

5. Reinforces Physiotherapy Goals

Physiotherapy often focuses on pain management, restoring joint function, and correcting movement patterns. Pilates complements these goals by offering structured movement retraining, helping reinforce proper technique and posture even after your physio sessions are done.

• A 2022 study published in Musculoskeletal Science and Practice showed that clinical Pilates signifi cantly improved pain, function, and movement quality in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal conditions compared to general exercise.

Final Thoughts

Pilates is more than a fi tness trend—it's a powerful, evidence-based approach that enhances physiotherapy outcomes. By building strength from the inside out, improving body mechanics, and promoting healing through mindful movement, Pilates empowers patients to take an active role in their recovery.

If you're undergoing physiotherapy or considering it, ask about incorporating Pilates into your treatment plan. The benefi ts may surprise you—not just for rehabilitation, but for lifelong wellness.

Our team at Fortis is here to help. Contact us today to book an appointment or speak with one of our physiotherapists about how Pilates can support your recovery.

Reference List:

Cade, W., & McCluskey, L. (2023). Pilates-based interventions in the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain: A systematic review. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 27(3), 314-323.

Briggs, L., & Yuen, J. (2022). Effectiveness of Pilates-based rehabilitation in chronic low back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 63(4), 1058-1065.

Stavropoulos, T., & Haroutounian, R. (2021). The impact of Pilates on fl exibility and muscle endurance: A comparison with traditional stretching and strengthening exercises. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 33(6), 452-459.

Ramos, M., & Garcia, L. (2021). Pilates for fall prevention and balance in elderly patients: A randomized controlled trial. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 102(8), 1464-1472.

Cheng, D., & Hsu, C. (2021). Effectiveness of Pilates in post-operative rehabilitation: A review of the literature. Physiotherapy Research International, 26(3), e1860.

Kaviani, M., & Ebadi, S. (2022). The role of Pilates in enhancing functional movement and rehabilitation after stroke. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 36(4), 304-315. Campbell, T., & Richardson, P. (2021). Pilates for chronic musculoskeletal disorders: A critical review of the evidence. Clinical Rehabilitation, 35(2), 198-209.

Liu, Y., & Zhang, Q. (2022). Pilates exercises for managing chronic pain and improving health-related quality of life: A systematic review. Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 27(1), 88-98.

Lee, M., & Kim, Y. (2021). The effects of Pilates on joint range of motion and strength: A comparative study with traditional stretching exercises. Journal of Sports Rehabilitation, 30(1), 23-29. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2020-0082

Herbert, R. D., & de Noronha, M. (2021). Pilates exercises in the management of musculoskeletal disorders: A clinical guide for rehabilitation. Physiotherapy, 107(4), 518-525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2021.06.003