Clinical Pilates at Caulfield Natural Health Clinic is physiotherapist led and individually tailored to your needs, goals and physical abilities. Sessions are provided by physiotherapist Shanee Fleischer in individual or small group sessions of up to three participants.
At Caulfield Natural Health Clinic, we have been providing Clinical Pilates in our dedicated studio since 2019. Shanee has trained with Dance Medicine Australia and has more than 20 years of experience as a physiotherapist.
Programs are individually prescribed following a physiotherapy assessment, with exercises modified and progressed according to your needs.
Here are some of the questions we are commonly asked about Clinical Pilates.
What is Clinical Pilates?
Clinical Pilates at Caulfield Natural Health Clinic is a physiotherapist led exercise approach that uses Pilates based exercises to improve strength, flexibility, balance, posture and movement. Unlike a general Pilates class, exercises are individually selected and adapted following a physiotherapy assessment to suit your needs, goals and physical abilities.
Who is Clinical Pilates suitable for?
Clinical Pilates can be suitable for people of a wide range of ages and fitness levels, from those who are new to exercise to those looking to improve their strength, movement and physical performance.
Clinical Pilates may be particularly suitable for people who are:
- Recovering from an injury or surgery
- Experiencing back, neck or joint pain
- Returning to exercise after a period of reduced activity
- Looking to improve strength, balance, flexibility or posture
- Rehabilitating from a sporting injury
- Wanting to support their physiotherapy rehabilitation
- Pregnant or returning to exercise after having a baby
- Looking to improve their confidence with exercise and movement
You don’t need previous Pilates experience. Exercises can be modified according to your abilities, symptoms and goals, and progressed as your strength and confidence improve.
If you’re unsure whether Clinical Pilates is right for you, a physiotherapy assessment with Shanee Fleischer can help determine whether it is appropriate and how it can be incorporated into your individual exercise or rehabilitation program.
How is Clinical Pilates different from regular Pilates?
Both approaches use Pilates based exercises. The key difference is that Clinical Pilates at our clinic is prescribed and supervised by a physiotherapist following an individual assessment, with exercises selected according to the person’s physical needs, symptoms and goals.
Our groups have a maximum of three participants, allowing for close supervision and modifications to exercises when required.
Do I need Physiotherapy or Clinical Pilates?
Physiotherapy and Clinical Pilates are often complementary rather than mutually exclusive. You may initially see a physiotherapist for an injury, pain or other concern, and Clinical Pilates may then be incorporated into your treatment and rehabilitation program.
Your physiotherapist may prescribe specific exercises as part of your treatment and, where appropriate, recommend progressing to individual or small-group Clinical Pilates sessions to help build strength, improve movement and support your recovery.
Whether Clinical Pilates is suitable for you can be discussed with your physiotherapist as part of your assessment and treatment plan.
Do I need a physiotherapy assessment before starting Clinical Pilates?
Yes. Because Clinical Pilates at Caulfield Natural Health Clinic is physiotherapist led, an initial physiotherapy assessment is required before joining a group session.
During your assessment, Shanee will discuss your goals, assess your movement and determine which exercises are appropriate for you. If you are new to Pilates or require additional guidance, you may benefit from one or more individual sessions before joining a small group.
Is Clinical Pilates suitable after an injury or surgery?
Clinical Pilates can be incorporated into rehabilitation following many injuries and surgical procedures. Your program will be tailored to your stage of recovery, physical abilities and goals.
Where appropriate, your physiotherapist can incorporate recommendations from your treating doctor or surgeon into consideration when developing your exercise program.
Is Clinical Pilates suitable for back and neck pain?
Clinical Pilates may be appropriate for people experiencing back or neck pain, depending on their individual presentation.
Your physiotherapist can modify exercises according to your symptoms, movement and current level of function, with the aim of helping you gradually improve strength, movement and confidence with exercise.
Is Clinical Pilates suitable during pregnancy and after having a baby?
Clinical Pilates can be adapted during pregnancy and when returning to exercise after having a baby. Shanee has experience working with women during pregnancy and the postnatal period and can tailor exercises according to your individual needs and stage of pregnancy or recovery.
If you have specific medical or pregnancy-related concerns, your physiotherapist can work within the recommendations of your treating healthcare professional.
What happens at the first Clinical Pilates appointment?
Your first appointment begins with a discussion about your goals and your current health, exercise and injury history. These goals may include rehabilitation, improving strength, balance, flexibility or posture, or simply becoming more confident with exercise.
Shanee will then assess your movement and physical abilities and use this information to develop an individualised Clinical Pilates program.
You will also be introduced to the Pilates equipment and begin learning some of the exercises in your program. Depending on your previous Pilates experience and individual needs, you may require more than one individual session before progressing to a small-group class.
How many people are in a Clinical Pilates group?
Our Clinical Pilates groups have a maximum of three participants.
You can join an existing group or organise a session with friends or family. We also offer 2:1 sessions and individual Clinical Pilates sessions for people who prefer more personalised supervision.
Where is the Clinical Pilates studio?
Our Clinical Pilates studio is located within Caulfield Natural Health Clinic at 760 Glen Huntly Road, Caulfield South, Victoria.
The studio provides a dedicated space for individual and small group physiotherapist led Clinical Pilates sessions.
How do I book Clinical Pilates?
To get started, you will need to book an initial appointment with Shanee Fleischer, Physiotherapist.
You can book an initial appointment through our online booking system or contact our reception team on 03 9528 3994.
Group Clinical Pilates sessions are booked through our reception team.
Can I claim Clinical Pilates through private health insurance?
If you have private health insurance with physiotherapy cover, you may be able to claim a rebate for eligible individual and group Clinical Pilates sessions.
Private health insurance policies and levels of cover vary, so we recommend contacting your health fund to confirm your specific level of cover. We can provide you with the relevant physiotherapy item number to assist with your enquiry.
Is Clinical Pilates right for me?
If you’re considering Clinical Pilates for rehabilitation, managing pain, improving strength and movement, or returning to exercise, a physiotherapy assessment is a good place to start.
Shanee Fleischer, Physiotherapist, can assess your individual needs and develop a Clinical Pilates program suited to your goals and current abilities.
Written by Shanee Fleischer, Physiotherapist
Last updated: August 2026
