Pilates may seem like a recent fitness trend, but it was actually created during World War I to rehabilitate wounded soldiers. Later, it became beloved by dancers as a way to strengthen their bodies, improve their technique, and recover from injury. Today, Pilates is one of many mind-body approaches to exercise, helping to build strength while relaxing the mind.
At Kintsugi Physical Therapy & Wellness in Normandy Park, WA, we offer Pilates as part of our integrated, function-based approach to physical therapy and rehabilitation. If you’re curious about how Pilates can play a role in your recovery, request an appointment with Kintsugi Physical Therapy & Wellness today!
What’s the relationship between Pilates and physical therapy?
While most associate Pilates with fitness classes, its origins in wartime rehabilitation make it a great addition to any physical therapy treatment plan. At Kintsugi Physical Therapy & Wellness, we often utilize Pilates as a treatment option for several different conditions, including the following:
- Prenatal and postpartum
- Joint replacement surgery recovery
- Shoulder and neck injuries
- Spinal injury and surgery recovery
- Scoliosis
But Pilates is beneficial for more than just injury rehabilitation. It’s a great way to strengthen your joints and muscles, reinforce postural alignment, and improve muscle performance and motor control. Pilates’ focus on proper breathing techniques also makes it useful as a stress management technique.
At Kintsugi Physical Therapy & Wellness, our holistic approach to physical therapy means we don’t want to treat one specific area of pain. Instead, we want to help you reach your full potential for physical function. Pilates’s focus on the core muscles–which play a critical role in your balance, posture, and overall health–makes it an essential part of our treatment options.
Meet Your Pilates Rehab Specialists
Emily Wahlborg has been a Physical Therapist Assistant since 2005 and joined the Kintsugi team in 2020. She has a passion for movement and Pilates is her favorite part of her own movement practice. As a Balanced Body trained Pilates instructor in both mat and reformer repertoire, Emily believes a solid foundation in classical Pilates can affect your posture, reduce movement dysfunction, and improve your quality of life.
Christi has been practicing physical therapy for over 25 years in the outpatient setting. She graduated from Chapman University in Orange, CA with her Masters in Physical Therapy in 1997. As a result, she then went on to pursue her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Western University of Allied Health Sciences in Pomona, CA in 2002. Consequently, she spent an entire year in a Manual Therapy based Residency program. Possesses extensive certifications and experience in Functional and Integrative Manual Therapy, Vestibular Rehab, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, Cranio-Temporal Mandibular Dysfunctions, and Sports Rehab. In addition, she is Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist, Certified Athletic Trainer, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Certified Pilates Instructor, Certified Functional Capacity Evaluator, Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist, Certified Weight Management Specialist, Certified Nutritionist, and Certified Clinical Instructor. Christi has a long history of working with high school, college, and elite athletes as well as with the general population. She strongly believes that every person has untapped existing potential to heal given the right environment for healing. Her treatment philosophy involves a lifelong, comprehensive and integrative systems approach to physical therapy with a special emphasis on incorporating manual therapy to find the driver of the symptoms. Christi looks forward to the opportunity to educate her patients, fellow colleagues and practitioners, and the general public about the gift of wellness and health in promoting a fuller quality of life through Pre-habilitation and aftercare at our clinic in the Normandy Park community. In her spare time, Christi enjoys traveling and experiencing different cultures and is often considered a “foody”. She lives for outdoor activities including skiing, golf, volleyball, soccer, and hiking. Additionally, she loves singing and playing drums. In conclusion, she feels grateful to be able to share her life with her husband and two beautiful daughters.
Request your appointment with Kintsugi Physical Therapy & Wellness!
If you’re looking for Pilates services in Normandy Park, WA, Kintsugi Physical Therapy & Wellness is here for you. Contact our physical therapy clinic today to schedule a consultation with one of our licensed physical therapists and discover all the benefits Pilates can offer.