What Does A Biokinetisist Do?

A Biokineticist’s scope of practice can be broken down into 6 main categories, namely: orthopaedic rehabilitation, chronic disease management, neurological disease management, cardiac rehabilitation, wellness and special populations.

A Biokineticist focuses on final phase rehabilitation following an injury, as well as the prevention of the injury recurring. Biokinetic rehabilitation forms an essential part of the recovery process following hip replacement surgery, knee surgery/arthroscopy, shoulder surgery, back surgery etc. Biokinetics is also an effective part of the ‘prehab’ strengthening of the involved joint/s before surgery, which greatly assists in the post- surgery recovery process. Biokinetics plays an integral part in ensuring a patient can safely return to sport/exercise following an injury, and thorough biokinetic therapy can reduce chances of re-injury.

With lifestyle related illnesses now being the leading cause of death worldwide, and the waistlines of the population increasing uncontrollably, the incidence of chronic diseases such as hypertension(high blood pressure), Hypercholesterolemia(high cholesterol) and Type 2 Diabetes is higher than ever before. Exercise and lifestyle changes are just as important in both the treatment and prevention of these conditions as medication. A Biokineticist can either prescribe a safe and individualised programme, or alternatively, depending on the severity or progression of the illness, can provide supervised Biokinetic therapy as well as blood pressure and blood glucose monitoring for the patient concerned.

Following a heart attack or stroke, the correct type of exercise is integral in the recovery process and returning back to a high quality of life. However, many cardiac patients are unsure of what type of exercise to do, and often it is unsafe for them to exercise on their own. A Biokineticist will take them through a gradual, progressive exercise programme, monitoring heart rate and blood pressure closely, until they are able to exercise confidently, independently and safely.

This involves conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy and Fibromyalgia. Supervised and specific exercise therapy with a Biokineticist can delay degenerative changes, maintain independent function and confidence for as long as possible, and slow down disease progression. Therapy will focus on the specific needs of the individual and address these needs through exercise. Balance, co-ordination, muscle strengthening and flexibility, gait re-training and correction, functional strengthening and joint mobility are some of the aspects a Biokineticist would focus on. Biokinetics assists in improving and maintaining quality of life for as long as possible.

This includes children, pregnant women and older adults. A Biokineticist will ensure that the person concerned is given the most relevant and effective exercise therapy for their particular needs.

This involves dispensing exercise advice, lifestyle advice as well as monitoring and testing of body composition (fat percentage, weight, muscle mass) as well as fitness, strength and flexibility testing. Ergonomic set up of workstations as well as postural correction also fall under this category.

What is Biokinetics?

– Biokinetics is specialised exercise therapy that is recognised by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

– A Biokineticist specialises in preventative medicine and final-phase rehabilitation.

– Biokineticists improve a person’s physical condition and quality of life by performing comprehensive physical assessments and prescribing individualised, scientifically-based exercise programmes.

– The main modality of therapy in Biokinetics is exercise.

– Biokineticists are registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, under the board of Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Biokinetics

– Biokinetics is specialised exercise therapy that is recognised by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

– A Biokineticist specialises in preventative medicine and final-phase rehabilitation.

– Biokineticists improve a person’s physical condition and quality of life by performing comprehensive physical assessments and prescribing individualised, scientifically-based exercise programmes.

– The main modality of therapy in Biokinetics is exercise.

– Biokineticists are registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, under the board of Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Biokinetics

What Does a Bio Do?