Clinical Pilates Archives - CORE Therapy & Pilates

Relieve Pain and Boost Mobility with Pilates Reformer

Stephen Dunn — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 17:59:26 +0000

As a physical therapist and Pilates instructor, I’ve seen lives transformed. Chronic pain fades, mobility improves, and confidence soars. Our twice-weekly Pilates Reformer classes help you overcome daily struggles. Join me on Tuesdays or Andy on Thursdays at 12:00 PM. Here’s how two sessions a week can change your life.

Overcome Pain and Stiffness

Nagging pain limits your daily tasks? We address it with targeted exercises.
Stiff joints restrict movement? Our classes enhance flexibility for easier motion.
Unsafe workouts worry you? We ensure every move is safe and effective.

I’ve watched clients break free from discomfort. Our expertise in biomechanics guides each session. We tailor exercises to your unique needs. This approach alleviates chronic pain and reduces stiffness. It’s rewarding to see clients stand taller and move freely.

Build Strength and Confidence

Weak core causing instability? We strengthen it for better balance.
Poor posture adding strain? Our classes improve alignment and ease tension.
Lack confidence in movement? We empower you to feel strong.

Two midday classes fit your busy schedule. I lead Tuesdays, Andy leads Thursdays. Each session builds core strength and flexibility. Clients feel revitalized after just two hours weekly. It’s amazing to witness their growing confidence.

Why Two Classes a Week Work

Consistent sessions deliver results. Pain decreases, mobility increases.
Midday timing suits your routine. Reset your day with energy.
Therapeutic approach ensures safety. We prevent injuries while you thrive.

I’ve seen clients transform with consistency. Two sessions spark noticeable change. You’ll move better and feel better. Our classes are for all ages and levels. Join us to experience the difference.

Take the First Step

Ready to live pain-free? Contact us at (512) 215-4227 or click here to book. Visit us at 3534 Bee Caves Rd Ste. 110. We’re open Monday–Friday 8 AM–6 PM, Saturday 9 AM–12 PM. Let’s move better together.

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Stage 2 of Treating Auto Accident Injuries

Stephen Dunn — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 18:20:18 +0000

Stage 2 of Treating Auto Accident Injuries: Restoring Mobility, Flexibility, & Strength

Building upon the crucial foundation of pain and inflammation management in Stage 1, the next vital step in your recovery from auto accident injuries is restoring mobility, flexibility, and strength. Here at our physical therapy clinic in Westlake Hills, TX, we expertly guide you through stage 2 of treating auto accident injuries, continuing our commitment to your full rehabilitation. As experienced injury care professionals, we understand that regaining your physical capabilities is key to returning to a pain-free and active life.

Stage 2 of Treating Auto Accident Injuries: Rebuilding Your Movement and Strength

Stage 2 of treating auto accident injuries focuses on restoring the range of motion in affected joints, improving flexibility in tight muscles and soft tissues, and gradually rebuilding the strength needed for everyday activities. This phase typically begins around the seventh visit and can extend through approximately the eleventh visit, depending on your individual progress and how your body responds to treatment. By the end of this stage, many patients experience significant improvement, often reporting around 70% overall recovery.

During this time, we address limitations in movement, persistent stiffness, and muscle weakness that may still be present after the initial pain and inflammation have subsided. Our goal is to help you move more freely, with less discomfort, and to start building the strength necessary for functional activities.

Our Integrated Approach: Physical Therapy and Clinical Pilates for Restorative Movement

Just as in Stage 1, our integrated approach of physical therapy and clinical Pilates plays a crucial role in restoring your mobility, flexibility, and strength. Physical therapy techniques at this stage may include more advanced manual therapy to address joint restrictions and soft tissue tightness. We’ll also introduce targeted exercises to improve range of motion and begin strengthening weakened muscles.

Clinical Pilates continues to be an invaluable tool in Stage 2. Its emphasis on controlled, precise movements helps to improve flexibility, enhance core stability (which is essential for supporting movement), and gradually build strength in a safe and effective manner. The focus on proper body mechanics and alignment in Pilates complements the strengthening exercises in physical therapy, ensuring a holistic and balanced recovery.

Why Stage 2 is Essential for Long-Term Recovery

Restoring mobility, flexibility, and strength is paramount for preventing long-term limitations and recurring pain after auto accident injuries. By actively working to regain these physical capacities, we address the underlying weaknesses and imbalances caused by the accident. This not only helps you return to your daily routines but also reduces the risk of future injury and chronic pain.

What to Expect: Empowering Your Movement and Strength

In Stage 2, your treatment sessions will involve a greater emphasis on active movement and strengthening exercises. You’ll be guided through specific exercises tailored to your individual needs and progress, both in our clinic and as part of your home exercise program. We continue to prioritize clear communication, ensuring you understand the purpose of each exercise and how it contributes to your overall recovery. Our goal is to empower you to actively participate in regaining your physical abilities.

Moving Forward: Transition to Stage 3 and Continued Progress

As you regain significant mobility, flexibility, and strength, you’ll progress to Stage 3, which focuses on functional restoration and returning to your specific activities and lifestyle. This transition is, again, based on your individual progress and how well your body is adapting.

If you’re in the Westlake Hills or Austin area and are ready to move beyond the initial pain and inflammation of your auto accident injuries, we’re here to guide you through Stage 2 and beyond. Click here to contact us today to schedule an appointment and continue your journey towards a full and active recovery.

We are dedicated to helping you regain your strength, restore your movement, and return to the life you love.

Ready to Reclaim Your Movement and Strength After a Car Accident?

The journey to full recovery after a car accident involves more than just pain relief. It’s about rebuilding your physical capabilities and restoring your confidence in movement. Discover how our expert physical therapy and clinical Pilates program can guide you through Stage 2 of rehabilitation, focusing on restoring your mobility, flexibility, and strength. Learn more about our comprehensive services designed to help you recover and live pain-free on our “Recover From Car Accident Pain” page.

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Why I Teach Pilates & Gyrotonic Exercises in Physical Therapy Sessions

Stephen Dunn — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 19:25:10 +0000

At CORE Therapy & Pilates in Austin, we believe in a holistic approach to healing. That’s why we often incorporate movement therapies like Clinical Pilates and Clinical Gyrotonic into our physical therapy sessions.

What are Clinical Pilates and Clinical Gyrotonic?

Clinical Pilates adapts traditional Pilates principles to address specific health conditions, focusing on core strength, proper alignment, and controlled movements tailored to individual needs. Clinical Gyrotonic utilizes specialized equipment to guide fluid, three-dimensional movements, improving flexibility, range of motion, and coordination while addressing specific clinical concerns. Both methods are customized by physical therapists to improve strength, flexibility, and posture, leading to reduced pain and improved function.

Clinical Pilates: This approach adapts traditional Pilates principles to address specific clinical conditions. It focuses on core strength, proper body alignment, and controlled movements, tailored to each individual’s needs and limitations.
Clinical Gyrotonic: This specialized form of Gyrotonic utilizes specialized equipment to guide fluid, three-dimensional movements. It is adapted by physical therapists to improve flexibility, range of motion, coordination, and balance while addressing specific clinical concerns.

Why your Physical Therapist might recommend them:

Your Physical Therapist might recommend Clinical Pilates or Clinical Gyrotonic to improve core strength and stability, essential for everyday activities and injury prevention. These methods can also enhance posture and alignment, reducing strain on joints and muscles. By increasing flexibility and range of motion, they can alleviate pain associated with various conditions, such as back pain and neck pain, while improving overall function and quality of life.

Core Strength & Stability: Both methods are excellent for strengthening the core, which is crucial for everyday activities and can help prevent injuries.
Improved Posture & Alignment: Poor posture can lead to pain and discomfort. Clinical Pilates and Clinical Gyrotonic help retrain the body to move with better alignment, reducing strain on joints and muscles.
Increased Flexibility & Range of Motion: These methods improve flexibility and joint mobility, making everyday tasks easier and reducing the risk of injury.
Pain Reduction: By improving strength, flexibility, and posture, both methods can help alleviate pain associated with various conditions, such as back pain, neck pain, and joint pain.
Functional Improvement: Exercises are often tailored to address specific functional limitations, such as difficulty with walking, climbing stairs, or reaching overhead.
Home Exercise Program: Clinical Pilates and Clinical Gyrotonic exercises can be easily modified and progressed, making them suitable for home exercise programs, allowing patients to continue their rehabilitation outside of therapy sessions.

About Our Clinic

At CORE Therapy & Pilates, we believe in empowering our patients to take control of their health. We work closely with each individual to develop a personalized treatment plan that incorporates the most effective techniques, including Clinical Pilates and Clinical Gyrotonic when appropriate.

Ready to experience the benefits of these powerful movement therapies? Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

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4 Stages of Physical Therapy Rehabilitation at CORE Therapy And Pilates in West Lake Hills

Stephen Dunn — Sat, 15 Jan 2022 07:00:51 +0000

Hey guys. What's up? It's Stephen Dunn with CORE Therapy and Pilates. We're in Westlake Hills, Texas and today I want to go over something that's very important.

The 4 Stages of Physical Therapy Rehabilitation

It's called the four stages of recovery and we're going to talk about the recovery from a physical therapy standpoint here. This graph is showing us two different things. Recovery from zero percent to 100 percent and the number of visits in physical therapy from zero to 14.

Now the reason we're using 14 here is because the national average is actually 11 and 11 is right here where it gets you from phase two to phase three.

So one visit to eleven visits stops you at phase t three and I'm going to explain that in just a second.

Basically the reason that people come back to therapy over and over without their pain problem being resolved fully is they get better in this phase one and two.

When they get to this area but they don't continue the process because if we look at 11 up here it's only 70 percent and I don't really like getting people 70 percent better. I want to get people more improved than that.

So with that said at the national average of 11 and this showing 14, the 14 is just getting into phase four and so that's where I want to now break down each phase.

The 4 Stages of Recovery

1 - Minimize Pain & Inflammation

Phase one is basically to minimize pain and inflammation and that's in this first six visits or so, usually twice a week in the first couple weeks. That allows your pain to lower and then we get into phase two as the pain is less.

2 - Restore Mobility, Flexibility, & Strength

Phase two is to restore mobility, flexibility and strength. From an again average standpoint across the whole nation, phase two is visit seven to eleven. All right, now again at the end of visit 11, we're sitting at 70% improved.

3 - Return to Normal Function & Activity

Phase three is the return to normal function and normal activity. People start feeling better here. A lot of people fall off the plan of care as soon as they feel better and then a lot of people fall off here because they're feeling better and they're moving better, their mobility is better but they're really not maybe ready to go back to tennis and ready to golf at full speed.

4 - Maintenance & Prevention of Injury

Stage four is the program that we're we're so proud of here at CORE, as it's the maintenance and the prevention of injury. For us, stage three and four is our pilates program.

Stage one and two is our physical therapy program and in phase three our physical therapists start progressing people into stage four on our pilates equipment with some clinical physical therapy or some clinical pilates or some pilates based physical therapy, whatever you want to call it.

Then stage four is really our pilates program where we have the ability for people to come in privately or in group sessions.

So... I wanted to go over that today because again most people get to this point here and they're 70% better. A lot of people will get to here and all of a sudden they're starting to make that 100 better and then they're not coming back into PT six months later.

The reality is we teach people to do a lot of things at home and how to maintain it but people don't do it.

Life takes over, their jobs, kids... reality takes over and it's hard to keep up with the program. Whereas, we’ve been designing programs that make it easy for you to stay committed and stay moving, progressing forward to meet those goals, to reach those goals and make those transformations.

So, guys, thanks for watching those are the four stages of rehab broken down into each stage and y'all take care and we'll see you all soon.

Call 512-215-4227 if you would like to learn more about our programs to help you get out of pain.

Have You Been in a Car Accident?

If you're experiencing pain or stiffness following a car accident, understanding the recovery process is crucial. Our latest blog post, Stage 1 of Treating Auto Accident Injuries: Your Path to Pain-Free Recovery, delves into the vital initial steps of rehabilitation, focusing on minimizing pain and inflammation. Learn more about our expert approach to early injury care and how we can help you begin your journey towards healing

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Clinical Pilates for Back Pain

Stephen Dunn — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 11:00:19 +0000

Are you looking to ease pain with pilates? Have you been told to try clinical pilates but don't know why or how it can help? Watch this video to learn more about clinical pilates and how it might help you if you're suffering and dealing with nagging pain and injuries.

Can you do me a favor and subscribe to my channel and click that bell so you're notified of all of my content as it comes out. That'd be great if you could do that. We provide content on holistic health and wellness, physical therapy, and pilates.

Have you tried everything to help your back pain? But have you tried clinical pilates? Is that a word you're familiar with? By the end of this video you'll know why clinical pilates is so helpful for people in your situation.

My name is Stephen Dunn and I'm a holistic physical therapist. I've been helping patients at my clinic in Austin, Texas since 2005… helping hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of clients just like you.

One of the first reasons that clinical pilates is so effective is that it strengthens the lumbar multifidus muscle.

Now the lumbar multifidus muscle is a little tiny muscle. I call it the finger-like muscles because it's about the size of your finger. It runs up and down from one vertebra to the next or from one vertebra to two levels above or from one vertebra to three levels above.

Image via wikimedia.org

They're basically going from each individual segment of your lumbar spine. They're not running up and down huge areas. They are very short and small and they're what we call the spinal stabilizers. They're the antagonist muscles to the hip flexors, the poses and iliacus.

So they're on the back of the spine and do the exact opposite of what the hip flexors do. We talk a lot about the hip flexors and the troubles that they cause. So the key with clinical pilates is that you're strengthening the lumbar multifidus… and that's one of the most important pieces of the pie.

Number two you're going to strengthen the deep abdominal muscles, the transverse abdominis.

So much of the fitness world, in the strengthening world that we live in consists of strengthening the six-pack, or the rectus abdominis.

We're way more interested in the deep transverse abdominis and the obliques than we are in the six-pack. And if we can get the deep abdominals, the transverse abdominis and the lumbar multifidus working like we discussed, then we got a much better chance of dealing with our back pain and moving forward in a positive manner.

The third reason clinical pilates is so important is how you will learn to improve your posture.

You'll improve your posture from a mental standpoint as well as a physical standpoint. Mentally first, awareness to be able to change your posture and then the strength that you obtain in the pilates to actually hold that new posture.

Now go check out my website www.PilatesToThrive.com and join our membership, videos on demand site and get 50% off for the first two months by using the code pilates50. Offer good for the first 50 clients!

Call 512.215.4227 to get started with Clinical Pilates in Westlake Hills…

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Do Clinical Pilates Classes at Home with Videos on Demand

Stephen Dunn — Sun, 19 Dec 2021 23:32:08 +0000

Are you looking to tone up and ease pain and want to do it with clinical pilates? Well, watch this video to learn more.

First I need you to subscribe to my channel, click the bell so that you get notified when I add new content. Have you been told to do pilates and don't know why? By the end of this video I will have two ways for you to access our video on demand site with a whole catalog of clinical pilates videos.

My name is Cheryl Dunn and over the past two decades I have been helping hundreds of people start their pilates journey here in Austin, Texas at CORE Therapy and Pilates and I want to help you.

Go to our free www.PilatestoThrive.com site or our paid membership site to access a catalog of clinical pilates videos, use the code pilates50 to get a 50% discount on your first two months. That code is only good for the first 50 people so go try it out.

Check out www.PilatestoThrive.com for more info on our free classes and our paid membership site for clinical pilates.

Call 512.215.4227 to start your in person Clinical Pilates journey at CORE…

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What is Clinical Pilates Compared to Pilates

Stephen Dunn — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 00:26:12 +0000

Are you looking to ease pain with pilates? Did you try a pilates class at the gym or the local studio and it just wasn't a good fit for you? Well, watch this video to learn more about clinical pilates and why you should be doing it to help with your nagging aches and pains.

Can you do me a favor and subscribe to my channel and click on the bell so you're notified when our content comes out. We offer content on holistic health and wellness and would love to have you as part of the team watching.

Have you been told to try pilates for your back pain but the experience didn't go quite like you expected?

Maybe that pilates instructor didn't really understand your condition, your injury, your diagnosis. Well, by the end of this video you'll know the difference between clinical pilates and typical pilates or classical pilates or authentic pilates... as it is often called and what would be the best for you.

My name is Stephen Dunn. I'm a Holistic Physical Therapist and I've helped thousands of people over my 20-plus year career as a physical therapist and I look forward to helping you as well.

Classical Pilates or Authentic Pilates

First I want to start talking about classical pilates or authentic pilates. Now classical or authentic pilates is the way pilates was created back in the early 1900s. It's the original flow.

It's the original sequence of exercises the way Joseph Pilates invented it and created it way back in the day, about 100 years ago. Is that method appropriate and should it still be around? Of course, yes but what it is not always appropriate for is someone who is injured with certain conditions.

What Is Clinical Pilates?

That's where I'm going to lead into what is clinical pilates? Clinical pilates is pilates that's led by a physical therapist.

You take the knowledge of a physical therapist and the knowledge of a pilates instructor and you combine that together to provide a rehabilitative form of pilates to someone who has back pain, spinal stenosis, a herniated or bulged disc or whatever the situation might be.

With clinical pilates we can look at the person from a physical therapist's point of view and a pilates instructor's point of view and provide a treatment plan with exercise providing mind-body exercise to progress from a place of back pain and instability to a place of transformation to feeling better and taking on your daily task without pain.

Need more help from us in person in Austin, Texas then give us a call at 512-215-4227 and book an appointment with one of our physical therapists who are also clinical pilates instructors.

Now check out my website www.PilatesToThrive.com to learn more on how clinical pilates can help you. This is my online membership site and an online free site where we have videos on demand.

Some are led by a physical therapist and some are led by pilates instructors to go through and teach you ways to do pilates at home.

Thanks for watching guys and be on the lookout for our next video in our sequence on clinical pilates...

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