A Biokineticist (comes from the Greek word bios which means “life” and kinesis which means “movement”) is a medical therapist that specializes in exercise and rehabilitation. Biokineticists are capable of working in many different areas including rehabilitation of pathology/injury, health promotion, as well as performance enhancement.
A Biokineticist improves an individual’s physical health status and quality of life through individualized assessment and exercise prescription.
What can a Biokineticist do?
1. Orthopaedic / Injury rehabilitation:
Orthopaedics is the branch of medicine that deals with the prevention or correction of injuries or disorders of the skeletal system and associated muscles, joints, and ligaments. You can see a Biokineticist for an orthopaedic injury, depending on the nature and severity of your injury.
In terms of a treatment timeline you can see the Biokineticist for the initial consultation and programme and then decide on weekly training based on the nature/severity of your injury, as well as your compliance to exercise rehabilitation. It may be necessary to see the Biokineticist more frequently in the early stages of rehabilitation and then slowly wean off into independence.
2. Chronic disease risk reduction and reversal:
The treatment timeline for chronic diseases will be different to orthopaedic injuries. Due to the nature of the illness/disease you may require ongoing guidance. You can see a Biokineticist sporadically or join a group class. However it is important to stress that just going for the initial consultation will not be sufficient. Once off sessions are not beneficial as you will need guidance and someone to monitor your progress.
3. Fitness assessments:
You can see a Biokineticist for a fitness assessment depending on your medical aid and medical aid rewards scheme. The goal of the fitness assessment is obviously to get points so that you can enjoy the rewards.
4. High performance and general conditioning:
Athletes who are injured, have been injured in the past, or who just need planning/guidance can see a Biokineticist. A Biokineticist can assist with a structured exercise programme and plan, no matter what level of competition or the nature of your sport. The Biokineticist can address the athletes needs with supervised sessions or comprehensive exercise programmes.
If you are a seasoned gym goer and you struggle with the occasional ache and pain you can see a Biokineticist to work on form and technique. The Biokineticist can give you input on injury advice and injury avoidance. They are more like a mentor that you touch base with when the need arises. If you have an acute injury the Biokineticist may refer you on to a Doctor/Physio/Chiro/Osteo.
What to expect from your first visit to a Biokineticist:
At the initial consultation the Biokineticist will most probably evaluate and measure your: body posture, body composition, blood pressure, heart rate, physical fitness, muscle strength, endurance, power, flexibility, as well as other health screenings.
Once an initial screening has been conducted a Biokineticist will then prescribe appropriate exercises for: Rehabilitation, fitness and wellness, or high performance.
We offer the following services at Karla van Dyk Biokineticist:
Strengthening and conditioning
Rehabilitation pre-and post-surgery
Conservative treatment to avoid surgery
injury rehabilitation (Foot/ ankle, hip/ pelvis, back, knee and shoulder etc.)
Sports conditioning for athletes
Exercise programmes for the gym
Hydrotherapy exercise
Exercise training for specific population groups (Cardiac, diabetic, arthritic, obese, elderly, amputee, special needs, and respiratory disorder patients)
Running and gait analysis
Strapping and taping
Fitness assessments (Discovery Vitality Fitness Assessments)
EMS training
For more information contact: Karla Verwey (kvdbiokineticist@gmail.com)
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