At Gardens Health & Wellness, licensed physical therapist Angela Calalang uses Pilates to help patients rehabilitate from injuries and for core strengthening. Pilates is an exercise method developed by Joseph Pilates to help strengthen the core muscles, align the spine and improve flexibility.

Core strengthening exercises often helps patients undergoing physical therapy and chiropractic care. Physical Awareness and Pilates Patients undergoing physical therapy can benefit from practicing Pilates as the exercises boost the amount of attention you pay to your body's movements.

It not only builds strength in the body but helps you become aware of the various muscle movements and how sitting or standing a certain way may strain or otherwise negatively impact your body. Exercises focus on building the core muscles, the back and abdominal muscles. A strong core can improve your endurance so you can exercise longer and have more stamina overall.

Our physical therapist leads patients through the exercises in our office using Pilates equipment. Some of the exercises can also be performed at home. Strengthening the core can help you learn where your areas of weakness are and will help you learn to strengthen them. The stronger the core muscles are, the less likely you are to injure areas that seem unrelated, such as your leg muscles. Pilates and Pain Reduction Another benefit of Pilates is that it can help reduce back or neck pain.

The exercises can go hand-in-hand with chiropractic care as they help to make the muscles in the back more flexible and strong. If you suffer from back pain, Pilates exercises can help you connect the pain you experience to the way you sit or with a past injury. Has working to strengthen your core muscles helped you recover from an injury?