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Pilates and Pelvic Care: Q&A with Claudia Sugison
Pilates is highly effective for pelvic care by strengthening the deep core, transverse abdominis, and glutes, which directly support pelvic floor function.
Pilates improves muscle control through breath-synchronized movements, aiding in incontinence management, postpartum recovery, and reducing lower back pain by fostering both strengthening and releasing of the pelvic muscles.
In this blog posting we asked Claudia Sugison from Pelvic Care Milnerton 10 questions about how she uses the Pelvic Chair as part of her offering at her Body Con Pilates studio.
Q&A With Claudia Sugison
Q1. What made you decide to introduce the Pelvic Chair into your offering?
As a Pilates instructor I have worked with women’s bodies for years and pelvic floor dysfunction kept appearing quietly in the background: leaks, heaviness, discomfort, weak core and low confidence.
My decision was also deeply personal. During the birth of my son I experienced a serious injury that affected both my inner and outer sphincter muscles. I underwent reconstructive surgery. While my body was physically repaired the emotional impact lasted much longer. For years I lived with anxiety around incontinence, over-prepared constantly and struggled to trust my own body.
Discovering the Pelvic Chair was transformative. Alongside Pilates it helped restore not just strength but confidence. That lived experience drives my work and allows me to support women and men with empathy, discretion and understanding.
Q2. What types of clients are most commonly seeking pelvic floor therapy at your location?
Women commonly include:
- Postpartum mothers
- Perimenopausal and menopausal women
- Active women dealing with stress incontinence
- Women recovering from abdominal or pelvic surgery
- Newly married women noticing intimate discomfort or weakness
- Ageing women experiencing bladder or bowel changes
- Women seeking preventative strengthening and longevity
Men commonly include:
- Those with erectile dysfunction
- Men recovering from Prostate cancer treatment or surgery
- Men experiencing bladder changes related to age or medication
Pelvic floor health is not just a women’s issue. It is a core wellness and longevity concern. When people realize support is discreet and non-invasive they are far more open to seeking help.
Q3. What problems are women typically trying to solve when they walk through your doors?
The most common concerns include:
- Urinary leaks when coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercising
- Pelvic heaviness or prolapse symptoms
- Weak core connection
- Postpartum recovery challenges
- Menopausal bladder changes
- Reduced confidence with intimacy
I also see women with a hypertonic pelvic floor where muscles are too tight rather than weak. This can cause pelvic tension, pain, difficulty emptying the bladder or discomfort during intimacy. Often this tension is linked to stress, unresolved trauma, anxiety or post-traumatic experiences.
Many assume all pelvic floor issues are due to weakness but relaxation, coordination and proper activation are just as critical. Identifying the exact pattern is essential for effective treatment.
Q4. How do your clients respond when they learn that the treatment is non-invasive and requires zero effort?
Relief, real visible relief.
Pelvic floor issues are deeply personal and many arrive feeling anxious. When they see they remain fully clothed, sit comfortably and the technology does the work tension drops immediately. It removes embarrassment and lowers the barrier to starting treatment.
Q5. Have you noticed particular life stages driving demand?
Yes, very clearly.
Postpartum women want to restore strength and function after childbirth. Perimenopause and menopause affect muscles, bladder control and connective tissue. Newly married women may notice intimate discomfort or pelvic weakness for the first time. Ageing women experience declining muscle tone and bladder changes that prompt them to seek support.
For men, later life stages are particularly significant after Prostate cancer treatment because surgery or radiation can affect bladder control and sexual function. Chronic conditions such as diabetes can also contribute to urgency or incontinence and many clients are unaware that pelvic floor therapy can support management.
Clients across life stages are seeking proactive solutions rather than silently coping.
Q6. What kind of feedback do you receive from clients after completing a course of sessions?
Clients often report improvements in sexual function and sensation which positively impact confidence and intimacy.
They also describe feeling more secure and connected to their bodies, less anxious about accidents and empowered to engage fully in daily life. It is about restoring trust and confidence in their own bodies not just controlling symptoms.
Q7. In your experience, how quickly do women start noticing improvements?
Subtle improvements, better awareness, reduced minor leaks and increased confidence often appear within the first few sessions.
More noticeable changes, such as fewer night-time bathroom trips or significant reduction in leakage, usually occur around session three to six with continued progress throughout the full course. Early wins motivate clients to remain consistent and confident in the process.
Q8. Why do you think many women struggle with traditional Kegel exercises, and how does the Pelvic Chair solve that problem?
Most women are never taught how to properly activate their pelvic floor and some bear down instead of lifting. Kegels require technique, consistency and neuromuscular awareness.
The Pelvic Chair stimulates the muscles deeply and correctly retraining patterns that may be difficult to achieve voluntarily.
This is why the connection between Pilates and pelvic floor muscle contractions is so important. Pilates builds control, awareness and functional strength which perfectly complements the Pelvic Chair. Together they enhance pelvic floor function and overall body stability and that is why I incorporated the Pelvic Chair into my practice.
Q9. What would you say to a woman who feels embarrassed about urinary leaks or pelvic weakness?
You are not alone and you are not broken.
Far too often medical professionals dismiss these issues as “normal” telling women that leaks after childbirth, incontinence during menopause or age-related changes are just something to accept. That is not true. While common these problems are not something women need to silently endure.
This is a very personal journey and at my studio we create a safe space where clients feel comfortable, supported and completely private. Unless there is a medical emergency all information is kept confidential. My goal is for clients to feel empowered to address their pelvic health without fear or embarrassment. Restoring strength, confidence and control is possible and every woman deserves that.
Q10. In your opinion, why is pelvic floor therapy becoming an essential wellness service?
Women and men are living longer, staying active and refusing to quietly accept limitations that can be treated.
Pelvic floor health affects core strength, posture, bladder and bowel control, sexual health, confidence and overall quality of life. It is no longer optional. It is foundational to long-term wellness, independence and confidence in the body.
Where Can I Get Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Pelvic Care has 22 locations across South Africa and is constantly growing. Each of our branches will be able to provide you with advice on how to best approach your requirements for Pelvic Floor Therapy and provide you with more information on the sessions.
Professionals in the rehabilitation space are also welcome to contact us to find out more about our services and offering and how it can benefit their practice.
