One of the rehabilitation treatments we may recommend to our patients is the use of the Pilates Reformer.
The Pilates reformer is a traditional piece of equipment which looks like a bed with springs, a sliding carriage, ropes and pulleys. In fact it looks a lot more intimidating than what it is.
The platform is called the carriage, and the carriage is attached to one end of the reformer by a set of springs. The springs allow you to adjust resistance to the carriage, which will be pushed and pulled along the frame by your own body weight and strength. There are also shoulder blocks on the carriage that keep you in a stable position so that you’re not sliding off of the end of the reformer .
There is a footbar at the end of the reformer — an adjustable bar that holds the springs. Your feet and hands can be placed on this bar depending on the exercise. The reformer also has long straps with handles on them that your feet or hands can be placed in to; these are at the top of the frame opposite of the footbar. The springs can be adjusted to affect both the footbar and the handles, to modify the workout for different skill levels and body types.
This piece of equipment can build core strength up without impacting on joints making it a versatile piece of equipment in the rehabilitation journey.
The pilates reromer is just one of the great pieces of equipment we might utilise in treatment to get the best results ongoing.
