Pilates for Managing Pain & Recovering from Injury

Living with pain or recovering from injury affects everything. How you move, how you sleep, what you can do with your day. You've probably tried physio, massage, exercises that help for a bit then stop working. You're tired of managing symptoms without fixing the problem.

Sarah's trained to work with complex conditions, chronic pain, and post-injury recovery. With a Diploma in Professional Pilates Instruction and a decade of experience, she knows how to rebuild strength safely. She runs every session, so you'll never have to explain your history to someone new.


How Sarah Works With Pain & Injury

Sarah's approach starts with understanding what's actually happening in your body. In your Initial Consultation, she'll assess your pain patterns, what triggers them, and which movements feel safe. Then she builds a program that addresses the root compensation patterns, not just the symptoms.

With just three people per class in a calm treetop studio, Sarah watches how you move. She sees when you're compensating before it becomes a problem. She adjusts exercises based on how your body responds that day. And because she's trained to work with physios and osteos, she can coordinate your care when needed.

The equipment matters too. With a fully equipped studio (Cadillac, reformer, chair, barrel), Sarah can support you exactly where you need it and challenge you when you're ready. Gentle when healing requires it. Progressive when your body's ready to build strength.

Whether you're managing chronic back pain, recovering from surgery, dealing with arthritis, or working through a sports injury, Sarah meets you where you are. Then she helps you get stronger, move better, and hurt less.

What Recovery Looks Like at Avera

Early sessions focus on movements that feel safe and controlled. Sarah builds stability where you need it most, working around limitations while gradually expanding what your body can do.

As you progress, exercises get more challenging. You'll tackle movements that used to hurt or feel impossible. Sarah pushes you (kindly), adjusts when needed, and tracks what's improving.

Long-term, you're not just managing pain. You're building genuine strength and resilience. Better posture, less compensation, movement that feels easier. The kind of progress that lasts because you've rebuilt the foundation.

And because Sarah runs every session, she knows your history. No explaining your injury to a different instructor each week. Just consistent, expert guidance from someone who sees your progress and knows your body.

Conditions Sarah Works With:


Musculoskeletal Conditions

  • Lower back pain and sciatica

  • Neck and shoulder pain

  • Disc issues (bulges, herniations, degeneration)

  • Scoliosis

  • Joint instability and hypermobility

  • Postural dysfunction

  • Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

  • Osteoporosis and osteopenia

  • Hip and knee pain (patellofemoral pain, bursitis)

  • Rotator cuff injuries and shoulder impingement

  • Post-surgical recovery (hip/knee replacement, spinal surgery)

  • Tendinopathies (Achilles, hamstring, gluteal, rotator cuff)

  • Ligament injuries (ACL, ankle sprains)

  • Repetitive strain injuries (tennis elbow, RSI)

  • Sports injuries (acute and overuse)

  • Pre-surgery strengthening

Neurological Conditions

  • Stroke recovery

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)

  • Parkinson's disease

  • Peripheral neuropathy

  • Balance disorders and vertigo

  • Mild to moderate traumatic brain injury

  • Age-related balance and coordination decline