Los Altos, CA
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Therapeutic Pilates for Injury Recovery and Staying Active
Pilates Rehabilitation at PhysioFit in Los Altos, CA
At PhysioFit, Pilates is more than exercise; it’s movement with purpose. Our trainers each have over a decade of experience and work with clients of all abilities and life stages, including pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and beyond. Unlike typical Pilates programs, our approach is therapeutic and personalized. We address underlying issues, not just fitness goals, and tailor every session to your body’s needs. Whether you’re rebuilding core strength, improving bone density, managing hormonal changes, supporting joint health, enhancing sports performance, or recovering from injuries, our instructors help you build a strong foundation for long-term movement success.
What is Therapeutic Pilates?
Therapeutic Pilates is a specialized, clinically-informed approach that combines traditional Pilates principles with rehabilitation techniques to help relieve pain, improve core strength, and restore movement. Ideal for adults 40+, it's personalized to support recovery from injuries, surgeries, or conditions like back pain and pelvic floor dysfunction.
At its essence, Pilates is about proper breathing and control over your body and its muscles, with particular emphasis on the abdomen. The method focuses on building a strong "Central Core" by strengthening your abdominal wall and spine. With over 500 exercises—many based on yoga and dance—each movement is performed only a few times, but with intense concentration on form and precision rather than countless repetitions.
Pilates is now widely regarded as one of the best ways to tone up weak muscles and give support to your back, neck, and shoulder joints. At PhysioFit in Los Altos, Pilates is a central focus in how we deliver effective care and achieve positive results. We incorporate Pilates-based exercises into our treatment plans for Physical and Occupational Therapy.
Why should you do Therapeutic Pilates?
Our Pilates sessions involve a set of challenging and progressive exercises to allow you to learn to move your body and your spine safely. Pilates techniques affect the entire body. Instead of isolating muscle groups, the entire body is involved, integrating the upper and lower extremities with the core musculature. Mental imaging, focus, and breathing patterns are used to reduce stress and unnecessary movement while emphasizing static or dynamic core stabilization. This includes an emphasis on coordinating abdominals, pelvic girdle, and shoulder strength. The principle of strengthening while lengthening muscles is critical in providing long-term benefits that carry over into improving your daily life.
Our Approach Combines:
- One-on-one sessions with a licensed pelvic floor & spine specialist, physical or occupational therapist
- Personalized therapeutic Pilates programming tailored to your unique needs
- Concierge-level care, attention, and follow-up
- A calm, empowering space where you feel truly seen and supported
How our Pilates is different than others:
PhysioFit Physical Therapy & Wellness in Los Altos offers a distinctive approach to Pilates that sets it apart from other programs in our area. Here's how our Pilates offerings differ:
1. Integration with Physical and Occupational Therapy Expertise
Unlike many traditional Pilates studios, PhysioFit's Pilates sessions are led by experienced instructors with backgrounds in other areas beyond Pilates. This integration allows for a deeper understanding of anatomy and movement mechanics, ensuring that exercises are tailored to individual needs and limitations.
2. Personalized Small-Group Sessions
PhysioFit offers small-group Pilates classes with a 3–5 client ratio. This setup ensures personalized attention, allowing instructors to provide individualized feedback and modifications, enhancing the effectiveness of each session.
3. Holistic Wellness Approach
Pilates at PhysioFit is part of a broader therapeutic wellness program that includes services like yoga, Hanna Somatic Education, and hypnotherapy. This holistic approach addresses not just physical fitness but also mental and emotional well-being, promoting overall health.
4. Focus on Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation
The Pilates program emphasizes injury prevention and rehabilitation, making it suitable for individuals recovering from injuries or those seeking to prevent future ones. The emphasis on core strength and proper alignment supports spinal health and joint stability.
5. Experienced Instructors with Specialized Knowledge
PhysioFit's team comprises highly educated and skilled professionals, including therapists and certified Pilates instructors. Their extensive training allows them to address a wide range of fitness needs, from general wellness to specialized rehabilitation.
Our Therapeutic Pilates stands out for our integration of expertise, personalized small-group sessions, holistic wellness approach, focus on injury prevention and rehabilitation, and experienced instructors. If you're seeking a Pilates program that offers more than just exercise, we provide a comprehensive and tailored experience to support your health and wellness journey.
Therapeutic Pilates at PhysioFit in Los Altos, CA
We offer individualized instruction as well as duos and duets where there is one instructor and two students. Small groups such as duos and single-instructor sessions have many advantages over large classes at the local gym.
Private
Pilates
One person per session with an instructor who customizes your program to your specific needs. After an evaluation of your strengths and goals; You will receive hands-on instruction and be helped every step of the way.
Duo
Pilates
No more than two people in a group. Ideal for couples, friends, or family members. Learn Pilates techniques and make fast progress toward your goals as your instructor builds a personalized plan.
Small Group
Pilates
Work in a small fun group toward a fitness goals using Pilates exercises. From building a stronger core to greater strength in your arms, all of you will benefit from working with one of our instructors.
Pilates for Rehabilitation
Our physical or occupational therapists will guide you through Therapeutic Pilates-based exercises to help you reduce or eliminate pain, prevent future injury, and promote fitness. As we train you in therapeutic Pilates techniques, you will learn how to reach your rehabilitation goals by appropriately recruiting your muscles and producing efficient, safe movement.
Pick a time to talk:
Common conditions we treat with Pilates:
At PhysioFit, Pilates isn’t just a workout — it’s a therapeutic tool we adapt to help people move with strength, confidence, and control. Many of our clients come to us with specific health concerns like back pain, osteoporosis, menopause-related changes, or postpartum recovery needs.
We tailor each Pilates session to address your body’s unique challenges — helping you safely build strength, restore function, and prevent future issues. Below are some of the most common conditions we treat using Pilates.
🦴 Osteoporosis & Our Therapeutic Pilates
Pilates can play a powerful role in maintaining bone health. By combining safe, controlled loading with balance training, Therapeutic Pilates helps improve posture, strength, and coordination — all key to reducing fall and fracture risk.
At PhysioFit, we focus on:
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Safe spinal alignment and posture correction
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Gentle, weight-bearing movements that stimulate bone without strain
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Balance and core stability exercises to improve confidence and mobility
We avoid excessive flexion, twisting, or high-compression movements in vulnerable spines, and modify each exercise to your bone density and comfort level.
Many clients notice improved balance and strength after just a few weeks of consistent practice.
👉 Learn more about how we adapt Pilates for bone health:
🌸 Menopause & Our Therapeutic Pilates
Menopause brings hormonal changes that can affect bone density, muscle mass, weight distribution, and overall energy. Therapeutic Pilates offers a smart, sustainable way to maintain strength, support posture, and boost mood during this transition.
At PhysioFit, we design programs that:
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Maintain lean muscle and bone health through resistance-based Pilates
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Focus on posture and core control to counteract changes in alignment
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Offer a supportive, stress-relieving movement practice to enhance wellbeing
Modifications are made for joint comfort, hot flashes, or other symptoms, so every session feels empowering — not exhausting.
Many of our clients find that our Therapeutic Pilates helps them feel strong, centered, and in control of their bodies again.
👉 Explore our Therapeutic Pilates for menopause wellness:
🦵 Osteoarthritis & Our Therapeutic Pilates
For those living with osteoarthritis, joint stiffness and pain can make traditional workouts uncomfortable. Therapeutic Pilates offers a low-impact, joint-friendly way to strengthen surrounding muscles, improve alignment, and restore mobility.
Our approach includes:
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Controlled, pain-free ranges of motion to keep joints lubricated and mobile
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Strengthening muscles that support the affected joints
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Gentle stretching and alignment work to reduce stress on painful areas
We pay special attention to pacing, ensuring you can build strength without aggravating symptoms.
Clients often report feeling more flexible, stable, and confident after a tailored Therapeutic Pilates program.
👉 See how our Therapeutic Pilates can support your joint health:
🌿 Back Pain & Our Therapeutic Pilates
Back pain is one of the most common issues we treat. Weak core muscles, poor posture, and movement compensations often contribute to discomfort. Pilates helps by retraining your body to move with balanced strength and control.
Our Pilates programs for back pain focus on:
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Deep core activation to stabilize the spine
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Restoring hip and shoulder mobility for better movement patterns
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Correcting postural imbalances and improving body awareness
We screen for any red flags and modify each exercise to your pain and mobility level, so you can safely rebuild strength without flare-ups.
Many clients report reduced pain and improved movement confidence after 6–8 sessions.
👉 Start your back pain recovery:
💧 Stress Incontinence & Our Therapeutic Pilates
Stress incontinence — the leakage that happens with coughing, sneezing, or exercising — is incredibly common, especially postpartum or during menopause. Pilates can be a valuable part of pelvic floor rehabilitation when guided properly.
Our pelvic-aware Pilates approach focuses on:
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Coordinating breath with core and pelvic floor engagement
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Training functional core control without straining
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Teaching movement strategies that reduce pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor
We adapt each exercise to your level, ensuring safe progression and helping you rebuild confidence.
Many women see meaningful improvements in control and strength within weeks of consistent practice.
👉 Discover our pelvic floor–focused Therapeutic Pilates:
🤰 Pregnancy & Postpartum and Pilates
During pregnancy and postpartum, your body undergoes major changes. Pilates is an ideal way to maintain mobility, protect your core and pelvic floor, and support recovery after birth.
At PhysioFit, we use safe, tailored modifications to:
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Maintain posture and core stability during pregnancy
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Protect and retrain the pelvic floor
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Support safe return to activity postpartum, including addressing diastasis recti
Exercises are adapted for each trimester and stage of recovery, so you can stay active and supported through every step of the journey.
Many new moms tell us our Therapeutic Pilates helped them feel strong, connected, and confident again.
👉 Explore our prenatal & postpartum Pilates programs:
FREE GUIDE: “PILATES BODY - 10 Reasons Why Pilates Will Ease Your Pain And Reshape Your Life."
16 Pages Reveal Exactly How ANYONE Can End Pain, Discover More Energy, AND Seriously Tone Up With Pilates.
What Our Clients Say
J.C.
“PhysioFit's Pilates classes are always varied, and never become boring. Their instructors use different props and exercises each session which keeps it interesting. The moves keep us all challenged and engaged!”
Los Altos, CA
M.A.
"A decade's old car accident (and age) was catching up to me and I decided it was time to find help. PhysioFit has restored so much of my health. I can do many things now that I had thought were gone from my life thanks to the physical therapy, therapeutic yoga, pilates and gyrotonics trainers. They are totally professional, coordinate with each other about my needs, and they make it fun. Having all these modalities under one roof is the only way to go. Thanks PhysioFit!
Los Altos, CA
