From Surgery to Strength: How Pilates Helps Reclaim Movement and Confidence

At Pacific Northwest Pilates, we see clients from all walks of life—people who are active, people in pain, people with big goals, and people who just want to feel like themselves again. One of the most inspiring parts of our work is watching those goals come to life. Stone Rose is one of those clients.

At 84 years old, Stone is a landlord who still handles maintenance on his properties and jokes about being a bit of a workaholic. Before his first Pilates session, he had never exercised for the sake of exercise in his adult life. But when his chiropractor recommended Pilates to help relieve persistent back pain, Stone listened.

“I do what I’m told,” he says with a smile. “I’ve been coming ever since.”

Recently, Stone underwent a knee replacement—an experience that can be physically and emotionally overwhelming, especially for someone used to being independent and active. He knew that regaining strength and mobility wouldn’t just be about getting the knee to bend or straighten. True recovery, he believed, meant understanding how the rest of his body would support that knee in motion.

This perspective is a perfect fit for the work we do at PNWP. While traditional post-op rehab often uses range of motion as the main indicator of progress, our Therapeutic Pilates approach goes deeper—examining whole-body movement patterns, compensations, proprioception, and alignment to build long-term resilience.Stone worked with PNWP instructor Sue Brantley, a skilled member of our Therapeutic Pilates team, to rebuild not only knee function but his full-body coordination. Together, they focused on posture, core support, balance in standing and walking, and regaining confidence in motion.

“…instructors I’ve worked with at PNWP have been incredibly knowledgeable,” Stone says. “They taught me how to own my healing process and supported me through every step.”

Stone is now referring a family member to PNWP for her own post-op knee care—a testament to his trust in the process and in our team.

Why Stories Like Stone’s Matter

Major surgeries—like knee or hip replacements—often come with more questions than answers. Am I doing enough? Will I be able to return to my normal life? Is pain just part of the deal now?

We believe that recovery should be more than functional. It should be empowering.

Our Therapeutic Pilates program is designed for people who need a tailored, intelligent approach—whether they’re fresh out of surgery, dealing with chronic pain, or simply unsure where to begin. We also offer Fundamental and Specialized Pilates for clients looking to build strength, improve posture, or enhance performance.

Does Stone’s journey resonate with you or someone you care about?


Let’s figure out the best place to begin.

  • Fundamental Pilates – Ideal for those looking to build strength, flexibility, and overall wellness
  • Specialized Pilates – For clients with specific conditions, goals, or sports needs
  • Therapeutic Pilates – A targeted path for those dealing with pain, injury, or low movement confidence
  • Complex Consultations – In-depth evaluations and individualized plans for more complex or unresolved concerns

Every body has a story. Let’s help you write the next chapter with clarity, confidence, and support.