Pilates for Rehabilitation

Your clients and athletes demand and deserve customized, adaptable solutions when injury or chronic pain impairs movement and performance. Known for its whole-body approach to fitness, Pilates is the perfect way to help your patients recover, rehabilitate, and reach their goals.

With Pilates for Rehabilitation, you will learn how to apply proven Pilates methods to address dysfunction and help your patients achieve optimal performance. Renowned instructor and physical therapist Samantha Wood provides detailed descriptions of the most effective exercises for rehabilitating and healing injuries, improving functional strength, promoting efficient movement, and managing pain.

In addition to step-by-step instructions for Pilates apparatus and mat work, you will learn the indications and contraindications of each exercise and the primary muscles involved so you can determine when the exercise is appropriate for each client. Modifications and progressions allow for adaptation of exercises based on the stage of rehabilitation or the severity of the injury or condition being treated. Suggested exercise protocols, organized by common orthopedic injuries in anatomical regions, offer the flexibility to tailor a program to the specific needs of each client.

Authoritative yet accessible, Pilates for Rehabilitation paves the road to recovery. Recommended by BASI Pilates and full of the latest research, proven exercises, and expert advice, this is the ultimate rehabilitation guide.

Earn continuing education credits/units! A continuing education course and exam that uses this book is also available. It may be purchased separately or as part of a package that includes all the course materials and exam.

Samantha Wood, MPT, MBA, PMA-CPT, RYT, is a licensed physical therapist, a Pilates Method Alliance–certified Pilates instructor, a Yoga Alliance–certified teacher, and an associate faculty member for BASI Pilates. She has been a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) since 1997 and of the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) and Yoga Alliance since 2010. She is the owner of The Cypress Center in Pacific Palisades, California, where she and her staff integrate Pilates with physical therapy for people of all ages and abilities. Her clinical expertise includes Pilates-based rehabilitation, yoga therapy, orthopedics, sports therapy, and functional rehabilitation.

Wood received her bachelor’s degree in exercise science from USC in 1991, where she worked as a student athletic trainer with athletes from all sports, specializing in volleyball, football, and track. After graduation she worked as a fitness instructor for Golden Door Spa aboard Cunard cruise ships. Two years later she earned a master of physical therapy (MPT) degree from Western University of Health Sciences. She also holds an MBA from the University of Southern California (USC). She has worked with many celebrities and professional athletes; while at HealthSouth in Arizona, she was the physical therapist for the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Coyotes, Phoenix Mercury, and Arizona Rattlers. In 2010, she was selected as the physical therapist for the EAS Unstoppable Tour, where her responsibilities included keeping elite athlete Sam Tickle in top physical condition as he completed his 30-sport, 30-city, 30-day journey.

Wood began her Pilates studies in 2001 with Rael Isacowitz and has attended many of Isacowitz’s advanced courses, including the prestigious mentor and master programs. She created and teaches two advanced education courses for BASI Pilates: Pilates for Injuries and Pathologies (for Pilates teachers) and Pilates: Integration Into Therapeutic Practice (for rehabilitation professionals). She has been presenting those courses, in addition to offering other workshops and lectures at Pilates conferences around the world, since 2010.

Wood has been featured in the Ask the Expert column in Pilates Style magazine and authored and modeled for an article entitled “Check In to (Injury) Rehab.” She also wrote an article about integration of Pilates into a physical therapy practice for Advance for Physical Therapists.

“This well-written book is comprehensive but concise, and is easy to read and understand. The descriptions, variations, and photographs of exercises are excellent…a great rehabilitation resource for clinicians and instructors.”
Doody's Review Service, 5-star review

"Samantha introduced me to Pilates, and at first it was such a challenge! But after practicing Pilates for many years now, it has helped to minimize my injury recovery time. Samantha can do the same for you with Pilates for Rehabilitation!"

Sugar Ray Leonard

Former professional boxer

“The trinity of objectives in all of athletic medicine is prevention, optimization of performance, and injury care. Samantha Wood eloquently and cohesively demonstrates in her book Pilates for Rehabilitation the practical concepts and contemporary techniques for addressing today’s problems with tomorrow’s solutions.”

Bert Mandelbaum, MD

Team Physician for LA Galaxy, U.S. Soccer, and Pepperdine University

Co-Chair of Medical Affairs at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute

Santa Monica Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Group and Sports Foundation

Chairman of the CONCACAF Medical Committee

Assistant Medical Director for Major League Soccer

“I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Samantha Wood for more than 15 years. During that time she has always had a unique talent for tailoring rehabilitation programs for both my professional and casual athlete populations. Now, in Pilates for Rehabilitation, she provides an easy-to-read and, more importantly, easy-to-apply handbook for medical professionals and interested individuals. All of us are looking for that added edge to perform to our best while reducing the chances of injury. Samantha has now added to our arsenal. A must-have on your shelf and by your side.”

George Billauer, DC

Team Chiropractor for U.S. National Soccer Team, LA Galaxy, Los Angeles Football Club, and Mexican National Soccer Team

Previous Affiliations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Kings, Chivas USA

“As a Pilates professional I am always in search of fresh resources and material to inspire my teaching and practice. Pilates for Rehabilitation is just the book to fill the void in my understanding and application of the remedial approach of the Pilates method. Samantha Wood’s approach to rehabilitation is both scientific and practical, without losing the underlying principles of the Pilates method itself. Although the exercises are focused on rehabilitation, I found them to be just as effective for athletic performance. I plan to recommend this book to my clients, colleagues, and students, who I feel could all benefit from Samantha Wood’s wealth of knowledge.”

Ed Botha

Pilates Teacher

BASI Pilates Faculty Member

Pilates Anytime Teacher

“Samantha is a brilliant therapist and innovator and has been a pioneer in bringing Pilates to mainstream physio rehabilitation practice. Her experience as a physio, athletic trainer, and business woman will undoubtedly make this book worth the time and energy to read!”

Amy Gladin

Physical Therapist and Clinician Researcher at Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center

“For many years, Samantha has incorporated her sensible and easily applicable techniques in Pilates to rehabilitate and restore many of my injured patients back to good health. Pilates for Rehabilitation provides an excellent resource for other rehabilitation therapists to incorporate a restorative Pilates approach to not only heal and manage ongoing injuries but also prevent future injuries through core strengthening and improving functional strength and movement.”

Julie Ma, MD

Primary Care Physician for UCLA Health