An interview with Craig Phillips from DMA Clinical Pilates.
Jen Guest : What makes Pilates, Clinical Pilates? I am asked this question quite frequently!
Many years ago, I started my Pilates training through Dance Medicine Australia (DMA) Clinical Pilates, directed by Physiotherapist, Craig Phillips. My understanding has always been that the term Clinical Pilates was the DMA trademark and referred to those Physiotherapists who had graduated from the DMA Pilates training stream. So I have gone to the source and discussed with Craig, “What is Clinical Pilates? “
Thank you Craig, for taking your time to discuss this question.
Craig Phillips: “We have registered the trademark for “DMA Clinical Pilates” but its tiring playing Clinical Pilates policeman. The problem for the wider Pilates community, is that advertising Clinical Pilates does have a level of expectation & the non physios who use the term are actually misrepresenting their skill set & could possibly run into issues. Situations have indeed evolved whereby a client with a presenting problem related to pathology has sought a Clinical Pilates instructor. In a particular situation, the client’s pathology is aggravated, because the Instructor does not have the scope of practice to fully understand and treat the pathology. The client has been aggravated and has sought legal guidance. Any legal team will be looking to prove that any instructor has been working beyond their level of expertise, for the defence of their own client.”
“The health funds are also now questioning Pilates as a form of treatment as it becomes more prevalent in the health care scheme. For a therapeutic session indicating Clinical Pilates, the health funds are expecting correct clinical assessment, note taking, progress reports, outcome measures and reviews to be conducted as held under AHPRA codes of practice.”
“As far as Clinical Pilates goes, you know it extends back nearly 30 years now, with DMA Clinical Pilates training only physios & has amassed a body of quality research & a large network. We have even more in the pipeline with another PhD at Melbourne University, an ongoing project with UK Sport & the English Institute of Sport to name a few.”
Craig reports, “We use the term to help guide the public between needing exercise for fitness & well being with traditional Pilates, etc. & those wanting treatment for problems. In particular, now we are aiming Clinical Pilates at the ‘chronic complex conditions’ market; those clients who are even more potentially reactive than the average client, where they have a range of co morbidities including dysautonomia. These clients have a whole different response between reacting to intervention very well or going ‘right off’!! Outcome measures & accountability rank highly in the ‘Clinical’ approach.”
“In a nutshell, Clinical Pilates is a movement based classification system, with a validated model for driving treatment outcome prediction. (Tulloch 2012) Ultimately, anyone can use the name if they wish, but the expectation is that they will be able to produce the results. We work with a range of organisations to ensure good outcomes & competency across our network. This has now be backed with a high kappa inter rater reliability study” (.87). (Yu 2015)
“The level of knowledge expected of someone professing to practice Clinical Pilates is a Bachelor Degree or above understanding of Anatomy and Physiology, Biomechanics and Pathology and a scope of practice which recognises diagnostic skills.”
Jen Guest: “Thank you for your time Craig.”
The PAA is frequently asked “What is Clinical Pilates?”. We would like to hear your thoughts on this topic. Email us at jen@pilates.org.au
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