Pilates After Surgery: Can it Be Done Safely?
22nd May 2025
Post surgery, people are often looking for ways to safely and gently reintroduce their bodies to physical exercise and movement. One such method is pilates, which is sometimes touted as the best way to do so. However, a common question is around whether pilates after surgery can be carried out safely and whether you risk causing damage to the site of surgery.
This blog post aims to clear up all your questions, helping you to understand the positives of using pilates as a form of post-surgery rehabilitation.
Is pilates effective for rehabilitation?
Pilates is very effective for rehabilitation because it can be very easily controlled to reduce risk of re-injury or aggravation. It is a slow and methodical form of exercise which helps to gradually strengthen the muscles without any explosive actions.
Our pilates programme can be useful as a form of rehabilitation for injury recovery and surgery alike, with the main focus being on regaining motion and control over the body. We encourage the gentle stretching and lengthening of muscles, in a way that caters for both the physical and psychological pain which often follows injury or surgery.
Is it safe to do pilates after surgery?
In most cases, it is safe to do pilates after surgery. This is thanks to the controlled and relaxed motions which pilates relies on. Following any form of major surgery, the best way to ease yourself back into regular exercise is through low-impact methods, and pilates is perhaps the most efficient of these methods.
It’s important to remember that any exercise can be strenuous following surgery, even those that are low impact. So, whilst it is safe to do pilates after surgery, care still needs to be taken to ensure that you are using the correct methods and right exercises to restore proper range of motion without risking pain or reinjury.
Our pilates specialist at Injury Mechanics is highly experienced, which means she knows the importance of communicating with you to understand what your goals are, as well as how to achieve them safely and comfortably.
Does pilates interfere with recovery?
Pilates does not typically interfere with recovery, especially when carried out through the instruction of an expert. In fact, pilates should actually boost recovery by increasing core strength and retraining healthy movement patterns. As long as you follow the advice of your surgeon/doctor, and make that advice known to your pilates instructor, it’s very unlikely that you will run into any complications.
However, as with any form of exercise, there is always some risk of injury or reinjury aggravation in any case. To avoid this, it’s vital that you listen to your body and communicate with your pilates instructor. Don’t do anything that feels too painful, or that you think might be risky.
What is the best type of post-operative pilates?
Rehab-focused pilates is the best type of post-operative exercise for those looking to regain core strength and take control of their exercise again. Rehab pilates will be a bespoke exercise plan which is based largely on your specific scenario and what the specific injury/surgery you had was.
Rehab-focused pilates aims to alter the intensity and duration of certain exercises and stretches to account for the fact that your body might be weaker in specific areas following surgery. This is the easiest and most effective way of returning to exercise. Pilates with Injury Mechanics safe and comfortable.
Who would benefit from post-operative pilates?
Post-operative pilates is most beneficial for individuals who are recovering from surgery. There are a few specific types of surgery that pilates is best suited for:
Shoulder surgery - Regaining strength in the shoulders can bedifficult following surgery, but with post-operative pilates, the aim is to increase strength and return regular movement patterns
Joint replacement - If you’ve recently had a joint replacement, pilates helps to improve range of motion, strengthening the muscles around the joint (which might have become weakened during disuse). Overall, this will decrease the recovery time.
Spinal surgery - Managing recovery after spinal surgery is difficult, as spinal related injuries/surgeries are particularly sensitive. Pilates can correct posture, help to manage pain, and encourage recovery of core strength.
Other surgeries - Pilates is actually beneficial for a lot of different surgeries across the body. Again, pilates is designed to be specific to the individual and can be modified to focus on any area.
The benefits of pilates after surgery
Post-surgery pilates has a plethora of benefits for anybody hoping to recover from the process and return to their normal daily life:
Improved strength - After surgery, areas of the body can become weaker through disuse as a result of pain. This may have caused your body to become over-reliant on other joints and muscles too. Pilates aims to promote correct movement patterns which corrects imbalances and strengthens the areas which have been weakened.
Reduced pain and stiffness - Gentle and steady movements encouraged by pilates promote the release of endorphins and provide pain relief in a controlled manner.
Improved posture/balance - Strengthening core muscles helps to align the body correctly and improves balance. This is helpful because it reduces the likelihood of injuries which might come as a by-product of your surgery.
Mental boost - There are a number of mental benefits which come with pilates. Firstly, it increases your self-confidence and your trust in the body. Also, it releases chemicals which reduce stress and anxiety, aiding both in recovery and day to day life.
There are likely too many benefits of pilates after surgery to list them all. To find out more, get in touch with us at Injury Mechanics.