Pilates adaptations for common Spinal Conditions With Chartered Pilates Physio Mary Thornton

Pilates adaptions for common spinal conditions
Saturday Sept 19th
Time: 10.30am - 3.30pm ( includes 2 x 15 min breaks)
Cost €180
CPD certifited
Pilates adaptions for common spinal conditions
During this 4 hour workshop Mary shares her 28 + years of clinical experience as a Physiotherapist & Pilates Teacher to help you gain a deeper understanding of four common spinal pathologies:
prolapsed disc, stenosis, osteoarthritis, and scoliosis.
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We will explore how these conditions present and how they affect a person's movement patterns, breath, and daily function.
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Workshop Aims:
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- Examine common spinal pathologies; Stenosis, Prolapse discs, Osteoarthritis, and Scoliosis.
- Learn to critically reason why and how to adapt Pilates exercises.
- Conduct assessments for posture, movement bias, and breathwork.
- Identify when to stabilise versus when to mobilise.
- Practice and discuss specific exercises to restore movement patterns and fascial function.
The goal of this course is for Pilates teachers to develop a more profound understanding of these spinal conditions and gain the practical skills necessary to support clients through modified Pilates.
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Duration: 4 hours
Mary Thornton Bio:
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Mary Thornton is a dedicated health professional whose ethos centres on recognising the unique physical and emotional well-being of each individual.
With a strong commitment to empowering clients, she focuses on helping them achieve optimal mobility and function through customised education and movement strategies.
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Graduating as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 1997, Mary began her career in the NHS, where she honed her skills in various specialities, including orthopaedics, respiratory care, ICU, amputee care, and neurology. She later became a senior clinician specialising in musculoskeletal outpatients and women's health, effectively treating a wide range of musculoskeletal symptoms while providing obstetric and gynaecological care in hospital,
community, and GP settings.
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In the private sector, she also worked at the Sussex Centre
for Sports Medicine and Sportswise, collaborating with professional athletes during their rehabilitation processes.
Mary's journey into Pilates began in 1998, starting with training at DMA Clinical Pilates, Australia, followed by Stott Pilates in Canada, and culminating in a year-long equipment-
based certification with the Pilates Foundation UK. Additionally, she holds qualifications in
Garuda and is a certified 200-hour Yoga Alliance teacher, as well as a registered Pink
Ribbon Mastectomy rehabilitation and Menopause Yoga practitioner.
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She owned and operated The Clinical Pilates Studio in Eastbourne from 2007 to 2024,
creating a holistic clinic that empowered individuals through movement. Her studio's goal was to provide clients with the tools they needed to lead healthy, active lives, regardless
of ability.
Although the studio has since closed, her work remains accessible via an on-demand library.
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Mary has a particular interest in Women's Health and Hypermobility syndromes, which led her to develop "The Reconnect to Your Pelvic Floor Method," an online educational program designed to help women experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction.
A passionate advocate for movement and knowledge sharing, Mary has guest lectured at various esteemed institutions, including the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Brighton
University, Pilates Method Alliance, Balanced Body and the Fascia Symposium in both
the UK and the USA.
She also designs and delivers her own Clinical Pilates Teacher Training CPD courses and
is an accredited CIMSPA Educator Partner.
Currently, Mary is writing a comprehensive evidence based book on Female Pelvic Health.