Once we’ve got your pain under control and got your body functioning again in the way that it should we will focus on restoring movement with a variety of exercise therapies. We believe in small group exercise classes with the emphasis on supervision and the setting of specific goals to optimise outcome. Your programme will be tailored specifically to your needs whether that be returning to sport after surgery, weight loss or recovery after having a baby. A pre-exercise assessment is performed by our physiotherapists to determine the exercise program and the starting level. This may include specific stretches, cardio-vascular endurance and fitness, resistance weight training, isokinetics, pilates exercise and relaxation. The intensity of the programme is gradually increased and progress is closely monitored with outcome recorded at set intervals
Isokinetics is dynamic testing and training using an accurate computerised system at speeds that replicate function. You are in complete control of the resistance as the equipment responds in direct proportion to the effort and therefore the resistance is never more than you are capable of applying. This makes isokinetics a very safe way to exercise to maximum capability throughout the entire range of motion and it can safely be used at all stages of your recovery. Due to the high level of accuracy and reliability isokinetics provides an objective measure of progress and can be used to determine the return to previous levels of physical activity. It is particularly useful to balance the muscles around a joint and is a proven treatment for tendonitis. We have had isokinetics at esph for fifteen years and we use it to treat ankles, knees, hips and shoulders.
The pilates method of rehabilitation is based on the original work of Joseph Pilates who set up a studio in New York in 1923. He designed equipment using springs for both resistance and assistance. In recent years this method has been developed by physiotherapists and others to encompass the latest research in core stability, muscle balance and postural control. Pilates exercises focus on spinal stability around which all movement takes place. It is suitable for people of all ages with a wide variety of problems and the exercises can be graded from simple up to a high level that would challenge an experienced dancer or athlete. It is based on the six principles of core stability and control: body alignment, weight bearing, efficiency of movement, precision of movement, integration of movement and breathing. At esph we have fully equipped pilates studios in all our sites and we offer a variety of classes to suit your needs.
Yoga is an ancient Hindu practice, dating back to about 2500 BC where the body and mind are linked to create a state of internal peacefulness. The techniques concentrate on posture and alignment through stretching positions, breathing, and meditation to calm the emotional state and tone the body. At esph we specially adapt yoga poses to assist our clients in stretching, postural alignment and balance. We have small classes and individual sessions.