Hello! Welcome to Reignite Health, Bokz the Bio here ready and happy to educate you more on health so you can reignite your health.
Today’s topic will be looking more into Biokinetics and whether Biokineticists only treat injuries.
So, what is Biokinetics?
Broken down Biokinetics means “life’ and “Movement” making the profession well known as Life through movement. So, Biokinetics is a healthcare profession that specializes in human-movement, through prescribed exercise routine, as a mode of therapy to prevent and manage chronic illnesses, neurological conditions and/or injuries. The aim of Biokinetics is to improve the physical ability, and quality of life, of a person by using scientifically based exercise programs. A Biokineticist provides a safe environment for its patients to challenge themselves physically. Biokineticists assist with out-of-hospital care keeping patients’ healthy and strong.
How can you benefit from Biokinetics?
The benefits of movement and exercise are endless. Some benefits include:
- Improvements in cardiovascular and respiratory well-being
- Decreased risk for cardiovascular risk factors
- Improvements in muscle strength and endurance
- Decreased anxiety and depression
- Increased feeling of well-being
- Improved cognitive function and productivity at work
- Increased physical function and independence
- Decreased risk in falls
How a Biokineticist help you improve your muscle activation?
Optimal activation of skeletal muscle, specifically when suffering from long term pain, an injury, or a physiological deficit can be distorted. Even if you are a healthy person, sometimes you may not be effectively using certain muscles without realising it, for example postural muscles when sitting or standing for a long time.
Biokineticists educate and support you in improving activation of all muscles allowing for stronger brain-body connections and muscle utilisation. They also show you how movement can facilitate healing and improve functionality. Contact me to book your first appointment with us.
What do you have to study to become a Biokineticist?
An accredited university degree. As the profession continues to grow there are two ways you can study to become a Biokineticist. The first is by studying a three year Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Human Movement, Ergonomics, or Sports Psychology. This is then followed by a one year Postgraduate Honours degree in Biokinetics and a one year Internship. The second is by completing a four year Bachelor’s degree in Biokinetics.
The subjects that you are likely to complete are Human Anatomy, Exercise and Human Physiology, Biomechanics, Chronic conditions, Special populations such as Autism, disabilities and Cerebral Palsy, and physical pain and injuries.
Do Biokineticist only assist patients that have an injury?
Although injuries are most commonly treated by a Biokineticist, it is not the only type of condition they assist patients with. Biokineticists are also trained to help persons with chronic conditions, neurological disorders, and disabilities manage and improve their quality of life. This means that Biokineticist do not only work with sports teams or injuries related to sports.
Other types of conditions that Biokineticists treat include:
- Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s and Dementia
- Spinal cord and Traumatic brain injury, Stroke, and Epilepsy
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Muscular Dystrophy, and Myasthenia Gravis
- Cerebral palsy
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Diabetes Type 1 and Type 2, Obesity and overweight, High blood pressure, High cholesterol
- Lupus
- Cancer
- Chronic heart disease such as coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart failure
- Chronic lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma
- Chronic pain disorders such as Shoulder, knee, and hip replacement and Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, and gout
How do Biokineticist differ from Physiotherapists and Personal Trainers?
All three disciplines work together to provide people with optimal physical health and well-being.
A physiotherapist is a healthcare professional that uses manual therapy (massage) to improve a patient’s range of motion through a joint. Reasons why your range of motion would decrease include injury to the muscles, tendon, or ligaments, excess swelling in parts of the body caused by water retention (such as in chronic heart failure), pain related to lifestyle causing stiff/overused muscles to tense up, stiffness due to a chronic condition or neurological disorder. Physiotherapists usually assist in-hospital patients with their recovery thus limiting the amount of time spent in hospital.
A personal trainer is a fitness and exercise professional that focuses on assisting people to reach their fitness goals and prevent exercise related injuries. They are educated on effective ways to exercise and use exercise equipment that will benefit a person. They provide one-on-one training sessions to their clients and motivate them to reach their goals. Personal trainers main clients include healthy individuals that need guidance with their fitness goals as well as individuals with little to no risk factors that have completed their rehabilitation program with a Biokineticist.
When should you see a Biokineticist?
Mainly, if you have any concerns about your physical health and well-being, and would like to find out how movement can improve it.
Other reasons to see a Biokineticist include:
- When you have been injured and have completed your therapy with a Physiotherapist. As well as to get you ready to return to sports post injury rehabilitation
- When you lack overall physical stability and strength that you wish to improve
- When you have been diagnosed with a chronic or neurological disorder that affects your ability to exercise or move independently
- When you have two or more health risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, insulin resistance, high cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle
Biokinetics show you how movement can facilitate healing. Contact me to book your first appointment with us.
Looking For A Biokinticist In Fourways?
Book an assessment with Bokamoso Mthimkulu Biokineticist at Reignite Health and discover how exercise can help reduce the effects of chronic inflammation, improve your mobility, and support a healthier, more active life.
Wishing you a lovely week ahead. Chat soon.
Bokz the Bio
Everybody has the ability to take control of their own health
Email: bmbio@reignitehealth.co.za