Pilates Special Populations
ACL Tear - correct answer-What is it?
Full or partial tear of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Typically caused by a blow to the lateral side of the knee, or outward knee pressure with a
fixed tibia/foot
Medial Contrateral Ligament may also be impacted
Do
Refer to GP/PT, Surgeon, Orthopedist
Closed Chain exercises with focus on ankle tracking and co-contraction of hamstrings and
quadriceps
Work hip stability and ankle stability
Don't Do
Open chain full knee extension - legs in straps, open leg rocker
Deep knee flexion such as deep squatting or frog kicks - due to forward glide of femur over
tibia
Anything in Maximum Protection phase after surgery (10 weeks) - leave it to PT
resistance exercises after surgery (10-24 weeks) - legs in straps, etc.
Manipulation of calf/tibia after surgery (10-24 weeks)
Cardiovascular Disease - correct answer-What is it?
Any disease of heart/blood vessels
Do
Ensure client is hydrated
Refer to GP
Don't Do
extreme temps (over 80 degrees)
weight bearing in cases of foot wounds
for hypertension avoid high intensity or suddenly moving to upright positions
Carpal Tunnel - correct answer-What is it?
Inflammation of carpal tunnel causing nerve compression
Presents as pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in hand
Even small amounts of inflammation can cause problems
Do
Release and articulate supination and pronation of radius and ulna
Find a loose grip on equipment
Don't Do
Weight bearing on wrists or other pressure to the base of the palm
Deep Wrist Flexion
Forearm Supination
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - correct answer-What is it?
Profound fatigue that is not improved by rest
Often worsened by mental/physical activity
, Presents as brain fog, sore throat, pain, headaches, unrestful sleep, illness following
exercise
Do
Refer to GP
Provide an emotionally and physically supportive and encouraging environment
Be Gentle
Pace carefully
Don't
Push the client
Facet Joint Syndrome - correct answer-What is it?
inflammation of joints between the spinous/transverse processes of vertebra
hypomobility (locked facet joints) in vertebra causing painful hyper mobile segments
often accompanied by disc degeneration
painful in extension, especially with rotation/side bending
Do
consult GP/PT
stabilize neutral spine
emphasize elongation and critical connections (decompressive)
Don't do
extension, especially with rotation or side bending (mermaid, snake twist)
Fibromyalgia - correct answer-What is it?
Chronic pain illness causing widespread musculoskeletal aches, pain, stiffness, tenderness,
and tender pressure points
Condition worsens with exercise
Do
Refer to GP/Rheumatologist
Check in with the client
Practice at a slow, sustained pace with low resistance
Breathwork to downregulate the nervous system and oxidize tissue
Don't
Push the client
Do high pressure exercises - monkey, swan dive
Frozen Shoulder - correct answer-What is it?
Capsular tightening of the glenohumeral joint
Loss of mobility
Often "lock down mode" triggered by another injury
Do
Refer to GP/PT
Breath work to stimulate thoracic cavity
Find gentle mobility as movement begins to return
Mobilize Elbow, wrist, hand
Shorten range of motion and lever load
Don't Do
Aggressive stretching
End Range Loading of shoulder joint - tendon stretch, reverse chest expansion
ACL Tear - correct answer-What is it?
Full or partial tear of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Typically caused by a blow to the lateral side of the knee, or outward knee pressure with a
fixed tibia/foot
Medial Contrateral Ligament may also be impacted
Do
Refer to GP/PT, Surgeon, Orthopedist
Closed Chain exercises with focus on ankle tracking and co-contraction of hamstrings and
quadriceps
Work hip stability and ankle stability
Don't Do
Open chain full knee extension - legs in straps, open leg rocker
Deep knee flexion such as deep squatting or frog kicks - due to forward glide of femur over
tibia
Anything in Maximum Protection phase after surgery (10 weeks) - leave it to PT
resistance exercises after surgery (10-24 weeks) - legs in straps, etc.
Manipulation of calf/tibia after surgery (10-24 weeks)
Cardiovascular Disease - correct answer-What is it?
Any disease of heart/blood vessels
Do
Ensure client is hydrated
Refer to GP
Don't Do
extreme temps (over 80 degrees)
weight bearing in cases of foot wounds
for hypertension avoid high intensity or suddenly moving to upright positions
Carpal Tunnel - correct answer-What is it?
Inflammation of carpal tunnel causing nerve compression
Presents as pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in hand
Even small amounts of inflammation can cause problems
Do
Release and articulate supination and pronation of radius and ulna
Find a loose grip on equipment
Don't Do
Weight bearing on wrists or other pressure to the base of the palm
Deep Wrist Flexion
Forearm Supination
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - correct answer-What is it?
Profound fatigue that is not improved by rest
Often worsened by mental/physical activity
, Presents as brain fog, sore throat, pain, headaches, unrestful sleep, illness following
exercise
Do
Refer to GP
Provide an emotionally and physically supportive and encouraging environment
Be Gentle
Pace carefully
Don't
Push the client
Facet Joint Syndrome - correct answer-What is it?
inflammation of joints between the spinous/transverse processes of vertebra
hypomobility (locked facet joints) in vertebra causing painful hyper mobile segments
often accompanied by disc degeneration
painful in extension, especially with rotation/side bending
Do
consult GP/PT
stabilize neutral spine
emphasize elongation and critical connections (decompressive)
Don't do
extension, especially with rotation or side bending (mermaid, snake twist)
Fibromyalgia - correct answer-What is it?
Chronic pain illness causing widespread musculoskeletal aches, pain, stiffness, tenderness,
and tender pressure points
Condition worsens with exercise
Do
Refer to GP/Rheumatologist
Check in with the client
Practice at a slow, sustained pace with low resistance
Breathwork to downregulate the nervous system and oxidize tissue
Don't
Push the client
Do high pressure exercises - monkey, swan dive
Frozen Shoulder - correct answer-What is it?
Capsular tightening of the glenohumeral joint
Loss of mobility
Often "lock down mode" triggered by another injury
Do
Refer to GP/PT
Breath work to stimulate thoracic cavity
Find gentle mobility as movement begins to return
Mobilize Elbow, wrist, hand
Shorten range of motion and lever load
Don't Do
Aggressive stretching
End Range Loading of shoulder joint - tendon stretch, reverse chest expansion
