Our Services

Pilates was originally called "Contrology" when it was developed by the late Joseph Pilates (1880-1967). The Pilates method as it is commonly known today is a mind-body conditioning programme. Joseph Pilates overcame many childhood afflictions and in his quest to attain physical and mental harmony he studied many different forms of exercises, including tai chi, yoga and karate. He worked in many different environments including training army cadets, gymnastics and boxing. After moving to New York, Pilates was later adopted by dancers as its philosophy blended well with their focus on core strength, co-ordination, flexibility and posture.

In the early 1990s, rehabilitation specialists (such as physiotherapists) began to incorporate Pilates exercises and equipment into their protocols, but found that some aspects of what they were importing did not sit well with the best available evidence from sports therapy and rehabilitation research. By infusing Pilates exercises with well established physiotherapy concepts – and thereby scientific validity – clinical Pilates was born.

Characteristics of Clinical Pilates

• Diagnostic and rehabilitation tool for injury and performance enhancement
• Progresses from static stabilisation to dynamic, trains local then global stability systems
• Neutral zone stability comes before end-of-range flexibility
• Aims to fulfill established evidence based criteria
• Observes pathology under load and modifies accordingly
• Prioritises strict adherence to scientific interpretation of the principles of Pilates

Our Pilates Studio

We have fully equipped Pilates equipment studios at both our Chiswick and Putney Clinics and we are able to offer private, duet and group clinical Pilates sessions with one of our Physiotherapists. We also have a number of experienced Pilates instructors who work very closely within our team. Private sessions with your Physiotherapist may be claimable under your health insurance provided we use the method as part of your rehabilitation, as a form of corrective exercise in the management of your problem.

Once you are at a suitable level and we are happy with your progress, you will be able to join one of our equipment classes on the Chiswick Clinic timetable. We only do private and duet rehab sessions at the Putney Clinic. So whether you are struggling with an injury or just want to increase your fitness level, strength, or flexibility we have a service to meet your needs. For more information about our Chiswick Pilates Studio please visit our Pilates website.

Acupuncture is a method of treating certain disorders by inserting needles into various parts of the body. Its value is that it works in some disorders for which there is little or no effective treatment and that, in competent hands, it is very safe. Acupuncture was developed in China, where it acquired an elaborate theoretical basis. Recently it has been taken up by a number of Western health professionals, many of whom have reinterpreted it in terms of modern anatomy, physiology and pathology.

Today, therefore, there exist two main schools of acupuncture, traditional and modern.

Dry needling is the use of a solid needle for therapy. In the treatment of trigger points for persons with myofascial pain syndrome, dry needling is an invasive procedure in which an acupuncture needle is inserted into the skin and muscle directly at a myofascial trigger point. A myofascial trigger point consists of multiple contraction knots, which are related to the production and maintenance of the pain cycle. Proper dry needling of a myofascial trigger point will elicit a local twitch response, which is an involuntary spinal cord reflex in which the muscle fibers in the taut band of muscle contract.

Here at Bodies Under Construction Physio, our Physiotherapists treat these trigger points and we incorporate Acupuncture treatments for use in pain relief. We also have an Acupuncturist who practices the more traditional Acupuncture methods.

For more info please visit the British acupuncture website www.acupuncture.org.uk

Myotherapy

Myotherapy (muscle therapy) is concerned with the restoration and maintenance of the normal integrity of the soft tissue of the human body and uses a range of methods to treat muscular conditions that cause pain and affect movement. Abnormal muscle contraction, myofascial trigger points and adhesions in soft tissue adversely affect range of movement, flexibility, strength and efficiency of muscle action.

They also cause myofascial pain both locally and also with accompanying pain referral. In order to treat these soft tissue conditions and de-activate adhesions we use remedial/therapeutic massage, trigger point therapy, myofascial stretching, myofascial acupuncture and corrective exercise programmes which are not only beneficial as a rehabilitative action but also for preventative and corrective purposes.

Sports, Swedish and Remedial Massage

Massage is the management, manipulation and rehabilitation of soft tissues of the body including muscles, ligaments and tendons.

The reported benefits of Massage include:

• Improve circulation & lymphatic flow
• Assist in the removal of metabolic waste
• Sedate or stimulate nerve endings
• Increase or decrease muscle tone
• Increase or decrease muscle length
• Remodel scar tissue when required
• Assist in mental preparation for sporting participation

To benefit from a massage you do not need to be a sports performer. There are many practitioners that work with a great range of clients. The benefits above can also help relieve many day-to-day problems that everyone experiences.

If you are a sports performer (at any level) a sports specific massage can be beneficial at various stages of participation. Regardless of your experiences in sport or exercise whether you exercise socially or compete to an international level - massage may have something to offer you.

Nutritional therapy is the application of nutritional science in the promotion of optimal health and peak performance disease prevention and patient care.

A Nutritional Therapy Approach is a step-by-step approach that recognises biochemical individuality.

Biochemical individuality refers to the unique nutritional needs each person has, based on their genetics, lifestyle and environmental exposure to various stresses. Scientifically validated cutting edge technology is used to identify important biomarkers of health in order to develop individualised treatment plans for the promotion of optimum health and longevity and disease management.

New Body Composition Analysis Device as used in First Line Therapy is a technological step forward that will help us to find out your overall cellular health and internal and external body composition.

Whether you would like to adopt a healthier lifestyle, improve your stress or your energy levels or whether you would like to address a specific health condition; a nutritional consultation will be of benefit to you. We design a dietary and supplement programme based on individual needs, using established scientific knowledge and findings from the latest medical research.

First Consultation: Health and Wellness Assessment using BioImpedence Analysis 60min

Second Consultation: Analysis of dietary habits and Introduction of Eating Plan 60min

Follow-up Consultation: BioImpedence Analysis and coaching sessions 30min

Final Assessment: Treatment Summary 60min

End stage rehabilitation post injury is essential. This gives you the best chance of integration back in to your chosen sports activity following injury. We have developed a very close working association with very experienced Personal Trainers within the Riverside Club and surrounding areas of Chiswick and Putney. They are able to help you do just that.

Services they offer include:

• Fitness Screens
• V02 Testing
• Weight Loss Programmes
• Strength, Conditioning and Flexibilty Programs

Please contact us for more information.