Multi-module course
Pilates for Rehab
Apply Pilates safely for clients recovering from injuries across the spine, shoulder, hip, knee, and foot/ankle. Anatomy, contraindications, and exercise progressions matched to each stage of recovery. Real-world tools you can use to help clients heal.
Course objectives
What this course sets out to do.
Equip you to guide clients through injury recovery safely: the anatomy that matters, the contraindications to respect, exercise selection and modification condition by condition, evidence-based strategies applied to real cases, and the confidence to carry someone from early rehabilitation to full functional recovery.
What you'll learn in each module
- Common injuries & surgeriesThe most common injuries, diagnoses, and surgeries clients present with.
- ContraindicationsWhat not to do, and the key contraindications for each condition.
- Exercise progressionsEffective Pilates exercises and progressions matched to each stage of recovery.
- Anatomy reviewsReviews that connect theory with practice.
- Case studiesReal case studies to sharpen clinical decision-making.
Six modules, one region at a time.
Delivered on demand, so you can work through it at your own pace. Take any module on its own, or complete all six for the full certification.
Lumbar Spine & SI Joint
How load travels through the lumbar spine and the sacroiliac joint, what each of the conditions below does to that, and which Pilates work is appropriate at each stage of recovery.
Conditions covered
- Discogenic pain
- Spinal stenosis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Acute facet pain
- Facet osteoarthritis
- Sprains & strains of the lower back
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
Module 1 preview
Every module can be taken on its own. This is the one you can pay for and begin straight away — the lumbar spine and SI joint material, on demand, that module rather than the full certification. The others are arranged with us.
Cervical & Thoracic Spine
The neck and mid-back together, including the rib attachments and the thoracic outlet — where restriction and pain tend to originate, and how to load the region without provoking it.
Conditions covered
- Discogenic pain
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Acute facet pain
- Facet osteoarthritis
- Sprains, strains & whiplash
- Rib dysfunction & pain
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
Module 2 preview
Hip & Knee
The hip and knee as one chain: osteoarthritis and joint replacement, the soft-tissue injuries around them, and the patellar and psoas problems that tend to follow.
Conditions covered
- Knee & hip osteoarthritis (incl. joint replacement)
- Bursitis
- Ligament tear & strain
- Patellofemoral syndrome & patella subluxation
- Labral tear
- Psoas dysfunction
- Tensor fasciae latae issues
Module 3 preview
Foot & Ankle
The foot as the base everything above it stands on: the plantar fascia, the small bones that fracture under load, and the ankle instability that recurs once it starts.
Conditions covered
- Plantar fasciitis
- Stress fractures
- 5th metatarsal fractures
- Hallux valgus / bunions
- Neuroma & metatarsalgia
- Sprains & chronic ankle instability
- Achilles tendon issues
- Osteoarthritis of the ankle
Module 4 preview
Shoulder
The shoulder's trade of stability for range, and what it costs: rotator cuff injury, impingement, adhesive capsulitis, and the instabilities that make the joint hard to load safely.
Conditions covered
- AC joint injuries
- Adhesive capsulitis
- Arthritis & tendonitis
- Shoulder impingement
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Bursitis
- Shoulder instability / subluxation
- Labral & SLAP tears
Module 5 preview
Elbow & Wrist/Hand
The elbow, wrist and hand: the tendon and nerve problems that come out of repeated load, and how to keep a client training through them.
Conditions covered
- Medial & lateral epicondylitis
- Biceps tendonitis / rupture
- Ulnar collateral ligament injuries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Arthritis, De Quervain's syndrome
- Trigger fingers
- Dupuytren's syndrome
What's included
- Q&A sessionsA Q&A with Zeina after each module, to clarify concepts and work through the questions the material raises.
- Post-course supportOngoing access to Zeina's guidance after you finish, for the client cases that don't fit the textbook: injuries, hypermobility, spinal dysfunction.
- Flexible paymentsPay the full course fee upfront or split it into monthly installments by credit card, check, or cash. No added interest.
Cost
Per module, or the full comprehensive.
Cost
Details
Book a free 15-minute discovery call with Zeina A. Grifoni to talk through the courses and work out whether one is a fit for you.
Requirements for completion
What it takes to be certified.
- A Pilates background, or healthcare experienceA certified Pilates instructor, or substantial Pilates teaching experience. Physical therapists, occupational therapists and other healthcare professionals with movement expertise are eligible too.
- All of the course contentEvery module and both workshops: lectures, demonstrations, case studies, and the supplementary material.
- Practical knowledge, demonstratedApply the exercises, modifications and contraindication principles from the course, and submit recorded demonstrations where they're asked for.
- Written and practical examsA written exam after each module covering anatomy, pathology and exercise principles, and a practical exam showing safe, effective application with rehab clients.
- Taking part in the Q&AJoin the Q&A sessions and the discussions around them — that is where most of the case reasoning happens.
- Safety and ethicsA commitment to applying exercises and modifications safely and ethically, respecting contraindications and individual programming.
If you're claiming continuing education credits, you'll also complete whatever documentation your accrediting body asks for.
Why choose us
- Expert-led trainingLearn directly from Zeina, a licensed physical therapist and Pilates educator who has spent decades blending rehabilitation science with Pilates.
- Clinical depth + practical toolsA clear understanding of common musculoskeletal conditions across the spine, hip, knee, shoulder, foot, and ankle, with strategies you can apply immediately.
- Safe & effective programmingDesign individualized Pilates programs that get the most benefit with the least risk, and support long-term recovery.
- Career-boosting certificationStand out with specialized rehab skills that make you more valuable to clients, studios, and healthcare professionals.
From instructors
“I was so impressed with Zeina's clarity and detail in how she presents the exercises — from exactly the way to perform the exercise, to the progressions as well as modifications for nearly any injury. This course will provide anyone the skill set to be an excellent Pilates instructor.”
Laura Winner, DPT
“I have been taking the Pilates for Rehab course and have learned so much. It's one hour once a week, so I'm able to digest all the information before the next lecture. I'm growing more confident in my anatomy and in dealing with injuries that I commonly see in my clients.”
Anne-Lise Reusswig
FAQ
Common questions.
Who is this course for?
Pilates instructors, physical therapists, personal trainers, and movement professionals who want to work safely and effectively with clients recovering from injuries or managing chronic conditions.
Do I need to be a certified Pilates instructor to enroll?
A Pilates background is highly recommended, but full certification is not required. Healthcare or fitness professionals with movement experience will also benefit.
How is the course structured?
Six in-depth modules and two workshops, on demand, so you work through them at your own pace. Each module includes lectures, anatomy reviews, exercise demonstrations, case studies, and a Q&A session.
Can I take individual modules instead of the full certification?
Yes. Each module can be taken separately. To earn the full Pilates for Rehab Certification, you complete all modules and pass the written exams.
How long does the full course take to complete?
It runs at your own pace. Each module includes 10–12 hours of content; we recommend 1–2 hours per week for the best learning experience.
Do I have to keep to a schedule?
No. The course is on demand, so you start when you like and work through it at whatever pace suits you.
Will I receive a certification?
Yes. Completing all modules and exams earns a Pilates for Rehab Certification, demonstrating advanced skills for post-rehab and injury-prevention settings.
Is the course recognized by professional organizations?
It isn't pre-approved by every organization, but it's eligible for continuing education credits with many Pilates and fitness associations. We'll gladly support you with the documentation you need.
What language is the course taught in?
English and Italian. All materials and recordings are made to be easy to follow.
Related
Pairs well with our specialized workshops.
- Posture workshop →Posture analysis, common deviations, and correction techniques.
- Gait workshop →Gait analysis, identifying and correcting faulty walking patterns.