Yoga and Pilates, the perfect complement to physiotherapy

The future of physiotherapy looks bright: According to a study by Allied Market Research, the market will grow to US$11.2 billion by 2027, not least due to the increasing prevalence of chronic illnesses and injuries. But it's not just the size of the market that's changing, but also the interest in new concepts.

What exactly does this mean for physiotherapists?

The vast majority of physiotherapy practices worldwide now use digital health technologies that facilitate diagnosis and treatment. We discussed this topic in more detail in our last blog post.

However, therapeutic methods are also constantly evolving, and anyone who wants to stay up-to-date needs to continuously pursue further education. Only in this way can you meet the growing interest in new concepts and differentiate your services from the competition.

Fill your toolbox

Imagine your work as a toolbox filled with various resources that you can use to improve or restore your patients' health. Each ailment, each illness requires something different.

Their goal: to equip their toolbox with as many diverse tools as possible in order to be able to handle any problem.

Conventional therapy is often no longer sufficient in these cases, and so it is now common for a large number of practices to combine different treatment methods. Yoga and Pilates are particularly popular.

Yoga and Pilates bring a breath of fresh air to the training plan.

Physiotherapy primarily aims at the rehabilitation of injuries or ailments – yoga and Pilates offer further opportunities to move and stretch the body in new ways. The various exercises improve posture, flexibility, strength, and endurance, thus helping to prevent injuries.

Since millions of people worldwide already practice yoga and Pilates privately, the exercises are easier to integrate into everyday life and are a welcome change from conventional methods.

In this blog post we will answer the following questions:

1. What is yoga? What is Pilates?
1. The health benefits
2. Will yoga and Pilates replace physiotherapy?
2. Where can yoga and Pilates be practiced?
1. Exercises for back pain
2. Exercises for rheumatism
3. Exercises after a stroke
4. When is yoga and Pilates not recommended?
3. How can I further my education as a physiotherapist?
4. How do I integrate yoga and Pilates into my practice?
5. In summary, the topic

1. What is yoga? What is Pilates?

Yoga and Pilates are forms of exercise designed to harmonize body and mind and promote health. Both systems emphasize the connection between breath, movement, and mind.

Yoga consists of a combination of breathing exercises, postures, and meditation, while Pilates focuses on targeted strengthening and stretching exercises designed to strengthen the core. Both forms of exercise offer a variety of health benefits and can be practiced by people of all ages and fitness levels.

1.1 The health benefits

Those who regularly practice yoga or Pilates can enjoy a wide range of physical benefits. Both forms of exercise have several things in common:

• They increase flexibility
• They improve balance
• They reduce stress
• They increase well-being

However, there are also some differences, as yoga and Pilates focus on different aspects of physical fitness.

Yoga focuses on stretching and relaxing the muscles. It also places a strong emphasis on breathing techniques. Pilates, on the other hand, highlights strengthening the core muscles and stabilizing the spine. Pilates exercises also improve body awareness.

Now you might be thinking: “That all sounds very promising, it covers pretty much everything.” Understandably, the following question then arises:

1.2 Will yoga and Pilates replace physiotherapy?

In short: No. Yoga and Pilates should be seen as complementary to physiotherapy, not as a replacement. Physiotherapists will continue to be in demand. However, it cannot be denied that both forms of exercise can significantly support therapy.

To give you a clearer picture, we will now discuss where exactly yoga and Pilates are beneficial and which exercises in particular can help.

2. Where can yoga and Pilates be practiced?

Several factors should be considered before recommending yoga or Pilates to your patients. These include:

1. Type of injury or illness: Yoga and Pilates can be effective for certain injuries or illnesses, such as back pain, stress, sleep disorders, and arthritis.
2. Patient's fitness level: Yoga and Pilates require a certain level of physical fitness and flexibility. Therefore, the patient's current fitness level should be taken into account.
3. Patient preferences: Some people feel more comfortable with yoga or Pilates than with other exercises. It is important to consider the patient's preferences to ensure successful therapy.
4. Patient goals: The exercises of yoga and Pilates can have different goals, such as stress reduction, muscle building, increased flexibility or pain relief.

2.1 Exercises for back pain

According to the WHO, approximately 60 to 70% of people worldwide suffer from back pain at least once in their lives. It's no wonder that this ailment is the second most common cause of work disability, and many seek help from a physiotherapist.

Both yoga and Pilates can help relieve back pain. Yoga improves the flexibility and endurance of your patients' muscles. Pilates, in turn, strengthens the deep abdominal muscles, which can support and relieve pressure on the spine.

Here are some examples of exercises you can recommend to your patients.

Yoga exercises for back pain

• Cat-Cow: This exercise stretches the spine and releases tension in the lower back.
• Cobra: This yoga exercise strengthens the back and abdominal muscles and stretches the chest.
• Child's Pose: This stretches the muscles of the lower back, hips and thighs.

Pilates exercises for back pain

• Bridging: This exercise allows patients to strengthen their lower back, abdominal muscles, and thighs.
• Pelvic Tilt: This stabilizes the abdominal muscles and lower back.
• Swimming: This dry-land exercise strengthens the muscles in the upper and lower back, buttocks and thighs.

2.2 Exercises for Rheumatism

Rheumatism is a group of more than 100 different diseases, all of which can affect connective tissue, joints, and muscle tissue. Typical symptoms of rheumatism can include pain, inflammation, stiffness, and swelling of the joints. Rheumatism can be triggered by various factors, such as:

• genetic predisposition
• Autoimmune diseases
• Injuries.

There is no cure for rheumatism, but there are various treatment options, such as medication, physiotherapy and dietary changes, to alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life for those affected.

Yoga and Pilates can be used to support and improve mobility, flexibility and muscle strength, as well as to promote relaxation and stress reduction.

Yoga exercises for rheumatism

Choose exercises that focus on slow breathing, gentle movements, and static postures. These include, among others:

• Warriors I and II
• Tree
• Dog
• Cat-Cow

Pilates exercises for rheumatism

To alleviate rheumatic symptoms, exercises that improve posture through gentle stretching and strengthening are suitable. Examples include:

• Bridge seat
• Alternating arms and legs while on all fours
• Side support

2.3 Exercises after a stroke

After a stroke, it is important for the affected person to undergo rehabilitation to restore mobility and coordination. Specific exercises can strengthen mobility and muscle strength.

Important: It is crucial that the training is individually tailored to the needs and abilities of the person affected.

Yoga exercises after a stroke

Depending on individual needs and abilities, the following exercises can help with rehabilitation:

• Breathing exercises and pranayama exercises: increase the oxygen content in the blood to promote relaxation.
• Chest stretching: Yoga exercises that stretch the chest can increase flexibility and improve breathing.
• Cat-Cow: This exercise can also help here. It mobilizes the spine and strengthens the back muscles.

Pilates exercises after a stroke

Depending on the patient, the following exercises may help:

• Sit-ups: They help strengthen the abdominal muscles and improve posture.
• Leg raises: This exercise stabilizes the thigh muscles and improves balance.
• Pelvic-Clock: The pelvic muscles are activated, balance is improved, and body awareness is trained.

2.4 When is yoga and Pilates not recommended?

There's no doubt that yoga and Pilates are great ways to add variety to your workout routine and can easily be done at home. However, these training methods aren't always advisable. In certain cases, the exercises can even be harmful.

Yoga and Pilates are not suitable if:

• the patient is suffering from an acute injury or inflammation
• the patient suffers from serious health problems, e.g. osteoporosis, unstable spine, cardiovascular disease

3. How can I further my education as a physiotherapist?

Are you interested in learning more about yoga and Pilates? There are various ways to conduct independent research and further your education.

• Participate in specialized training courses or workshops. This will allow you to learn new exercises and techniques, as well as deepen and expand your knowledge.
• Another option is to further your education independently using specialist literature and online courses. There are numerous books, e-books, videos, and online courses specifically designed for physiotherapists that can help you improve your yoga and Pilates skills.
• Exchange ideas: Experienced colleagues can share their knowledge and experience. It is also possible to complete supervision with an experienced physiotherapist or yoga and Pilates instructor.

4. How do I integrate yoga and Pilates into my practice?

Do you want to expand your services and combine yoga or Pilates with physiotherapy in the future? To ensure your success, you need thorough planning and a well-thought-out concept.

Please pay close attention to the following points:

1. Space: Consider whether you have enough space in your practice to offer a yoga or Pilates class, and whether you can provide the necessary equipment, such as mats and balls.
2. Integration: Consider how you can integrate yoga and Pilates into your existing physiotherapy practice. For example, you could offer a regular class or offer yoga and Pilates as a complement to treatments.
3. Communication: Make sure you communicate with your patients about what yoga and Pilates are, how you can help, and what they can expect from the exercises.

It is important that your patients are well-informed and aware of the benefits of yoga and Pilates. This makes it easier for them to integrate the exercises into their daily lives and thus work with the concept in the long term.

5. The topic summarized

Physiotherapy is a growing market, and demand continues to rise. Nevertheless, physiotherapists cannot avoid restructuring their services. Patients today want varied and holistic therapy approaches that are not only effective but also enjoyable.

Both yoga and Pilates are already part of many people's private training plans, but they also complement conventional physiotherapy by:

• increase flexibility
• Reduce stress
• strengthen the core muscles
• and improve breathing techniques

After you have furthered your education in the relevant topic, you can add individual exercises to your patients' individual therapy plans or offer courses in your practice.

The following is important for implementation:

• to further comprehensive education
• to address the individual needs of the patients
• to explain to the patients how the exercises work
• To encourage patients to integrate the exercises into their daily lives

And with that, nothing should stand in the way of your success.

We hope you were able to take away some helpful suggestions and will conclude this topic with the following quote:

"Nothing is as constant as change." - Heraclitus