Pilates Reformer

This weekend saw me complete the first stage of my Reformer certification training with the APPI. I thought it might be useful to explain what the reformer is and the certification training process.

What is a Reformer?

The Reformer was designed by Joseph Pilates and named as he believed you could universally reform your body. The Reformer was designed using springs and pulleys to assist and/or challenge the body. It consists of a frame with a sliding carriage. The carriage has 4-5 springs which attach to the frame to provide resistance or assistance depending on the aims of the exercise. Modern reformers also use a rope and pulley system of straps.

Who is the Reformer useful for?

The Reformer can be useful for anyone, no previous Pilates experience is required as the 5 key principles will be taught before you use the machine.

I have used the Reformer throughout my career and have found it particularly useful after lower limb orthopaedic surgery, such as knee and hip replacement.

Alternatively, it can be used by anyone wishing to improve flexibility or core strength or those looking for variation away from matwork Pilates.

What is Reformer Certification?

I have been trained to use the Reformer but have chosen to make this training formal by completing certification with the APPI. This consists of over 50 hours of course attendance, 75 hours of self practice/class attendance/study and 60 hours of practice teaching. Finally, there is a written and practical examination at the end of this.

By completing formalised training on the Reformer, as I have with Matwork Pilates, I believe I will be offering the best care possible to my clients.

Prices

I would like to begin by wishing you a happy New Year.

I stopped running face to face Physiotherapy appointments during the first lockdown in March, whilst offering virtual consultations instead. When I returned to clinic in July I made the decision to absorb the increased costs that the pandemic has brought with it, such as PPE and reduced appointment capacity.

To enable me to follow cleaning/ventilation guidance I currently leave 15min gaps between each appointments, which over the course of a day adds up to lost appointments.

As there is no sign of any changes to PPE/cleaning procedures I have now decided I need to make a small increase in clinic prices. 30 and 45min Physiotherapy appointments are increasing by 10%. Hour long Women’s health appointments will match Mummy MOT appointments at £65. 30min online appointments are increasing to £25.

These price rises will come into effect from 1st February.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Physiotherapy & Pilates in Tier 4

I hope you had a lovely Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year. Hopefully 2021 brings us lots to look forward to as news of the vaccine roll outs is appearing brighter.

Physiotherapy Services in Tier 4

I have taken my time in providing an update on services as i’ve been trying to make the most straight forward plans. Fortunately at the moment, government guidance allows Physiotherapists to continue to work with enhanced PPE and cleaning protocols in place. I continue to COVID screen all patients prior to appointments and contact all new patients by phone to ensure a face to face appointment is appropriate. I continue to run virtual appointments too.

Appointments can be booked here.

Pilates in Tier 4

In person Pilates classes can not return until we are in Tier 2 or lower. I have taken the decision to move my face to face classes online temporarily in their usual time slot, with the understanding that they will move back to Kingswells Community Centre as soon as restrictions allow. These classes are booked in 5 week blocks, starting on Monday 11th Jan.

Online Classes will continue to run. There has been a price increase for PAYG classes to £6 per week, or £25 if a 5 week block is booked in advance.

All classes can be booked here or please email me at laura@reformphysio.net for further information.

Walk like a Penguin

It’s got very cold all of a sudden up here in Aberdeen and with that come icy pavements.

Slips and falls on ice are a common cause of injury. With Hospital episode statistics for England showing nearly 3000 hospital admissions in 2014-15 as a result of falling on ice or snow.

To avoid this, try walking like a Penguin!

*Turn your toes out

*Lean slightly forwards

*Walk on a flat foot

*Take smaller shuffling steps

*Watch where you are placing your foot

*Take your hands out of your pockets (it’ll save your face!)

*GO SLOWLY!

Hopefully if you follow these tips, you’ll stay upright and out of my clinic!

Exercise of the week

Over the past few weeks I have been adding an ‘exercise of the week’ to my social media pages.

This week the focus was on Single leg sit to stand.

This is a great exercise and can also be a useful objective measure in orthopaedic rehabilitation eg after knee replacement.

The exercise can be started with both feet planted, or staggered feet, prior to taking it to a single leg. If there is a difference side to side you can practice the exercise until you are able to manage an equal number.

Autumn Update

I can’t believe it’s been a month since my last update. It’s all getting very busy here! I’m currently taking a two week hiatus from classes for the School holidays and trying to get some planning done.

Muddy walks/runs in the woods are the best!

I had a lovely week up in Carrbridge with my family. I absolutely love it up there.

What’s new in the business?

Postnatal Pilates is relaunching online, due to demand. There will be a four week block starting, next Tuesday at 10am and running for four weeks. As well as the classes, I’ve opened up a Facebook group for ideas/information/exercise sharing. This means I can easily share the class with those who haven’t been able to attend. I’m also hoping it creates a little community for the mums who aren’t able to meet face to face.

Antenatal Pilates has had a little rebrand to Pregnancy pilates. I know some mums are getting a bit confused between ante/postnatal at the booking point! So with a little name tweak, these classes are moving to four weekly block booking. Again there is a private Facebook group, so connections can be made as well as being a forum for sharing information/exercises and the class each week.

Physiotherapy

Clinics have remained really busy since I returned to face to face work in July. Which is brilliant. The Mummy MOT has been particularly popular.

I continue to work every Saturday at The Little Clinic and alternate Fridays at MSK. If you have any joint aches/pains, sports injuries or concerns pre/postnatally, please come and see me for an appointment.

Laura :-)

Pilates timetable

As face to face Pilates classes return this week, there are significant changes to the Pilates timetable.

Please see below for more details. Online classes can be booked online. Face to face classes are currently fully booked.

Face to face Pilates is coming back.

I am planning the relaunch of face to face Pilates classes, starting next week, 14th September and running from Kingswells Community Centre on Monday evenings and Tuesday afternoons.

I have been pretty overwhelmed with the response to the classes, as they are all fully booked.

Pilates at Kingswells Community Centre, pre COVID19

To minimise the risk of COVID19 transmission I have developed risk assessments for the classes, which will see some changes to how they run, including;

• Reduced class numbers (a positive!) to allow for 2m between mats

• Face masks are to be worn while moving through the building to the class

• I will be teaching from the front of the class, and giving verbal corrections/cues.

• There will be bigger changeover times between classes to allow for cleaning and ventilation, so some classes may be a little shorter.

• COVID19 screening questionnaires will be emailed out for completion prior to each class.

I have emailed full information to everyone that has expressed an interest in the classes.

I am delighted to be keeping Antenatal pilates running virtually, along with mixed ability matwork classes on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings.

MSK Therapy and Sports injury Clinic

I have been so busy since I returned to face to face Physiotherapy that I haven’t had a chance to update the website until now. I have been running clinics on Saturdays from The Little Clinic, and these have been consistently fully booked.

I am delighted to now be able to offer appointments on alternate Fridays from MSK Therapy and Sports injury clinic, in Altens. I have worked with Jayne Ritchie, the owner, previously and the clinic has long been my go to for Sports massage. It was lovely to see a friendly face at work last Friday. Appointments are available to book through the ‘book now’ tab.

Although Aberdeen remains under tighter lockdown restrictions than other parts of Scotland, travel for Physiotherapy appointments is still possible where appropriate. I continue to contact all new patients by telephone prior to their appointment to assess whether a face to face/virtual appointment is appropriate, in line with guidance from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Face to face physiotherapy

I’ve had a lovely couple of weeks off after working continuously since lock down started, so i’m back to work refreshed and planning some exciting things.

I have been back to face to face Physiotherapy for two Saturdays now and have been delighted to have full clinics for both, with a combination of face to face and virtual appointments. I am continuing to follow a COVID 19 protocol which can be found here.

Appointments for The Mummy MOT have been proving really popular. It’s great to see so many women keen to find out more about how their postnatal body is working and how to improve on any issues eg tummy gap, pelvic floor weakness.

Online Pilates classes are continuing but I am also working on a return to real life Pilates classes at Kingswells Community Centre. There is no date for this yet, but I aim to have my risk assessments completed and agreed by the community centre so classes can get back up and running as soon as the government gives the go ahead.