Pilates for Rehabilitation

Discover the healing power of Pilates.

Pilates has been proven to improve core strength, promote efficient movement, and help to manage pain. Bring these benefits and more to your patients with Pilates for Rehabilitation, Second Edition.

With Pilates for Rehabilitation, Second Edition, you will learn how to apply the Pilates method to address dysfunction and help your clients achieve optimal performance. Renowned instructor and physical therapist Samantha Wood provides detailed descriptions of the most effective exercises for rehabilitating and healing injuries, improving functional strength, promoting efficient movement, and managing chronic pain.

Updates in the second edition include the following:

• Full-color interior
• Updated research supporting Pilates for rehabilitation
• 56 new exercises for a total of 161 exercises
• 11 new injury pathologies for a total of 42 injury pathologies, presented in easy-to-navigate two-page spreads
• Two new chapters on the elbow and wrist and chronic pain conditions and neurological disorders

In addition to step-by-step instructions for Pilates apparatus and mat work exercises, you will learn the indications and contraindications of each exercise and the primary muscles involved so you can determine when the exercise is appropriate for each patient. Variations and progressions allow for adaptation of exercises based on the stage of rehabilitation or the severity of the injury or condition being treated. Suggested exercise protocols, organized by common injuries and pathologies in anatomical regions, offer the flexibility to tailor a program to the specific needs of each patient.

Support your clients on the road to recovery with the latest research, effective exercises, and expert advice.

Earn continuing education credits/units! A continuing education exam that uses this book is also available. It may be purchased separately or as part of a package that includes both the book and exam.

Samantha Wood, MPT, MBA, NCPT, RYT, is a licensed physical therapist, and an associate faculty member for BASI Pilates. She is a Yoga Alliance-certified teacher and holds the Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT) credential. She previously owned and operated The Cypress Center in Pacific Palisades, California, where for over 23 years she and her staff integrated Pilates with physical therapy for people of all ages and abilities. Her clinical expertise includes Pilates-based rehabilitation, yoga therapy, orthopedics, sports therapy, and functional rehabilitation.

Wood received her bachelor's degree in exercise science from the University of Southern California (USC), where she worked as a student athletic trainer with athletes from all sports but specialized in volleyball, football, and track. After graduation she worked as a fitness instructor for The Golden Door Spa on board Cunard cruise ships. Two years later she earned a master of physical therapy (MPT) degree from Western University of Health Sciences. She also holds an MBA degree from USC. She has worked with many celebrities and professional athletes; while at HealthSouth in Arizona, she was the physical therapist for the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Coyotes, Phoenix Mercury, and Arizona Rattlers. In 2010, she was selected as the physical therapist for the EAS Unstoppable Tour, where her responsibilities included keeping elite athlete Sam Tickle in top physical condition as he completed his 30-sport, 30-city, 30-day journey.

Wood began her Pilates studies in 2001 with Rael Isacowitz and has since attended many of Rael's advanced courses, including the prestigious Legacy program (Mentor, Master I, Master II, and Honors Course). She created and teaches three advanced education courses for BASI Pilates: two for Pilates teachers and one for rehabilitation professionals. She has been presenting these courses, as well as teaching other workshops and lecturing at Pilates conferences around the world, since 2010. Wood writes for Pilates Style magazine and contributes a monthly article for The Pilates Journal based on the most current research in the Pilates industry. In 2024, she was the runner-up for The Pilates Journal Educator of the Year award. Wood can be found at @samanthawoodphysio on Instagram and YouTube. Her website is Samanthawoodphysio.com.