Case studies Alex attended classes because he had a very poor posture. He was 13 years old but had recently undergone a rapid growth spurt. He had a stooped posture with back pain. Pilates helped Alex gain muscle flexibility and taught him how to control his posture. A decrease in pain through exercise helped Alex get back to football, his favourite sport. Grace has very bendy joints. Grace really wanted to master the skill of ice skating as all her friends met at the ice rink. Grace always ended up falling over and coming home covered in bruises. Pilates classes helped Grace learn how to control her movements by strengthening key muscles and showing her how to move with fluidity. Controlling her movements allowed Grace to learn how to balance key muscles for staying upright on the ice!
Medway Community Healthcare provides a wide range of high quality community health services for Medway residents; from community nurses and health visitors to speech and language therapists and out of hours urgent care. _________
Customer care Please send any comments about Medway Community Healthcare services to: Customer care coordinator Medway Community Healthcare MCH House, Bailey Drive, Gillingham, Kent, ME8 0PZ t: 01634 334650 medwaycustomercare@nhs.net
Pilates classes for young people
All contact will be treated confidentially _________ This information can be made available in other formats and languages. Please contact: medch.communications@nhs.net Ref: MCH442
MCH+ and MCH plus are trading names of: Medway Community Healthcare CIC Registered office: MCH House, Bailey Drive, Gillingham, Kent ME8 0PZ Tel: 01634 337593 Registered in England and Wales, Company number: 07275637
www.medwaycommunityhealthcare.nhs.uk
Information
Physiotherapy and Pilates
What should I wear?
Our Physiotherapists have years of experience helping children who have poor posture, back pain, poor coordination and hypermobile joints through exercise.
Please wear loose comfortable clothing so that you are able to move and stretch to perform the exercises. Please also ensure you wear a pair of socks as shoes are removed for the session.
Our Pilates classes are for young people aged between 9 and 16 years. Pilates is a body conditioning routine that helps to build flexibility, strength, endurance, and coordination without adding muscle bulk. It has been the exercise of choice for athletes, dancers and gymnasts but today the general population from all ages benefit from developing a range of fundamental movement skills that improve posture and core strength. Good posture is vital for essential classroom skills that include eye tracking, hand-eye coordination, handwriting and fine motor skills. We have found that young people who master Pilates skills gain confidence which can help build self-esteem, develop listening skills and improve concentration.
Class details Fridays 4.30-5.15pm We are able to offer this service at a competitive fee of ÂŁ5 which will need to be paid at the beginning of each session with cash. Our loyalty card ensures you receive every 5th session free. These classes will complement any NHS care you may be receiving and enhance your general health and fitness.
How to book
After the class
Booking is simple just telephone 01634 334280, or email childrenstherapyteam@nhs.net to request a space.
It is very normal to feel muscle aches and pains after exercise, especially if you have not performed this type of exercise before. This will reduce as you become stronger and more familiar with the exercises.
Classes are small to allow the Physiotherapists time to give each young person some individual instruction. There is free parking available and a comfortable waiting area for parents and carers.