The Service of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Hospital da Luz Lisboa has available classes of Clinical Pilate s, now with extended sessions schedules . The scheduling and attendance of these classes can be made directly – meaning that a previous medical consultation is not compulsory. The Clinical Pilates: Consists in a series of therapeutic exercises that globally promote the rehabilitation and muscle and physical strengthening, the correction of body and posture imbalances, the prevention of lesions, the improvement of breathing and increased concentration, generating global physical well-being. Follows a method that was initially created by the German gymnast Joseph Pilates (beginning of the 20th century), focused on specific strength training for dancers and high-level athletes. The acknowledgement of the benefits of such exercises led physiotherapists, in the 90ies, to introduce changes and create clinical pilates, specifically oriented to physical rehabilitation. Muscular reinforcement, flexibility enhancement, body alignment, stress relief and the motor coordination optimization are some of the other advantages. The Classes of Pilates at Hospital da Luz Lisboa have 45-minute sessions , with schedules in the five working days of the week and are conducted by a physiotherapist. In the absence of medical indication or in case of doubts, it is advisable to schedule a previous Physiatry consultation. These classes of Clinical Pilates are particularly recommended for: People with algic complaints and/or associated pathologies (for instance, situations of cervical pain, low back pain, herniated discs, knee prosthesis, among others); More or less sedentary people, with no algic complaint or specific pathology, but who wish to practice some activity in a safer, and more controlled and personalized manner.
