Pilates Helps Stroke Survivors Connect Mind and Body

Stroke affects approximately 795,000 Americans each year and is the leading cause of severe, long term disability in the United States.  A stroke can rob a person of their speech, mobility and independence. Additionally, stroke survivors may experience sudden changes in mood and suffer depression when parts of the brain controlling emotion are affected.  While many of these challenges may diminish in severity over time, the road to recovery and independence is long and emotionally taxing.

It is connecting the mind with the body that presents the biggest challenge after a stroke. 

Physical, occupational and speech therapies are often prescribed to help a patient recover lost function. Medically, these treatments are proven to help. But a number of stroke survivors are finding success with alternative treatments, such as Pilates, to help them rediscover body awareness and strength. 

Pilates is a system of exercises designed to improve physical strength, flexibility, and posture, and enhance mental awareness. Exercises work the abdominals in almost every move, and involve laying on the back, side or stomach and lifting legs and arms using the body’s core in combination moves that build coordination and strength

Pilates instructor, Francine Burgess, believes that in addition to increased core stability and strength, Pilates fosters mind and body awareness.  “Anything that can foster mind/body strength is beneficial. Pilates works on breath control and is connected to movement of the body, while moving outwardly connecting mind and body,” says Burgess.

There’s also an important psycho-social component. Patients interact with one another, and they support one another. It’s an activity-based therapy in a patient support group setting.

Burgess, a first year physical therapy doctoral student, teaches two Pilates classes at Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan’s (RIM) Brasza Outpatient Center, where her classes include both stroke survivors and others just wanting a strengthening core workout. She is currently working with researchers on curriculum for a targeted Pilates class that will focus on the specific needs of stroke patients. Burgess hopes that with the published results of this focused curriculum, that stroke survivors can find great benefit in participating in a very detailed program geared exclusively toward their unique needs. 

For more information on our Pilates classes and other community education classes at RIM’s Brasza Outpatient Center, call (313) 745-9748.

By: Carly Knazze, Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan