Use of Pilates Therapeutic Exercise Intervention in Treating Pelvic Health

Pilates has always had a place in rehab and was used frequently by those (think ballet dancers and performers) who needed a system of exercise that could challenge the neuromuscular system to bring them back to a high level of function. But Joseph Pilates created his “Method” to heal himself—he suffered from asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever—and in doing so, made it suitable for all types of people at all stages of health and wellness.

Do you long to try that Reformer in your clinic but feel you have not had the training necessary to use it safely beyond a glorified squat machine? Come experience Pilates movement in my new course, Pilates Therapeutic Exercise in Pelvic Health, scheduled for May 3-4, 2025. By using your therapeutic exercise training, we will choose appropriate traditional Pilates exercises to apply to common pelvic floor and pelvic girdle dysfunction. This course is meant to focus on specific diagnoses like prolapse prevention, urinary incontinence, and postpartum abdominal wall activation. This is not Pilates training—there are many suitable courses for this goal - but rather it is to whet your appetite to further your training and give you explicit examples of Pilates exercises to help your patient.

We will review how to safely set up the reformer for patients and see how select exercises can transform core activation by doing rather than telling folks about the movement. Using the Reformer is a wonderful neuro reeducation tool -- utilizing springs, one can instantly create tension that will act as an active assist for muscle groups or modify it to be one that is resistive, creating activation of muscle contraction. Additionally, you can access many developmental postures on the Reformer that can help your patient succeed. Combined with good verbal and tactile cues, the Reformer is a go-to for my pelvic floor patients with pain, ROM issues, and/or weakness, and I can’t wait to share!

AUTHOR BIO
Pam Downey, PT, MSPT, DPT, WCS, BCB-PMD, PRPC

Pam Downey, PT, MSPT, DPT, WCS, BCB-PMD, PRPC (she/her) is a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Women’s Health Physical Therapy and Board Certified in Biofeedback for Pelvic Muscle Dysfunction. Owner of Partnership in Therapy, a private practice in Coral Gables, Florida, she treats pelvic floor dysfunction, related urogynecological and colorectal issues, spine dysfunction, osteoporosis, and complaints associated with pregnancy and the postpartum period. Her mission is to educate and integrate healthy lifestyles for patients on the road to wellness.

Dr. Downey has been honored to teach with the Herman & Wallace Institute since 2006. She is an Adjunct Professor in the Physical Therapy Program at the University Of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Coral Gables, Florida, and Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A certified Polestar Pilates Educator, she utilizes Pilates and therapeutic exercise interventions specifically designed for patients with pre/post-natal, pelvic floor muscle, and other lumbo-pelvic pain-related dysfunctions.

Dr. Downey received her Bachelor of Arts from Sarah Lawrence College and her Master of Science and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Miami School of Medicine. She is actively involved in professional activities of the Section on Women’s Health of the American Physical Therapy Association, presently sitting as Coordinator of Research Submissions for annual meetings and as a manuscript reviewer for the Journal of Women’s Health. Dr. Downey has lectured nationally and internationally at professional conferences and is the author of multiple published research articles and a book chapter on chronic pelvic pain in the medical text, Women’s Health in Physical Therapy.