Life of a Biokineticist

We find out what biokinetics is all about and how a Biokineticist could benefit you

Biokinetics is a relatively young profession that is fast gaining popularity as patients and other healthcare providers see the benefit of biokinetic treatment. So, what exactly is a Biokineticist? A Biokineticist is a health professional, registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, who prescribes specific exercise as a means of preventative health, maintenance of physical ability and/or final phase rehabilitation of orthopaedic injuries or other medical conditions. It takes five years of study and internship in order to qualify as a Biokineticist.

There is an endless amount of evidence that points to the benefit of exercise, but it can be detrimental if you don’t consider your underlying medical or physical condition. A Biokineticist has the knowledge and expertise to prescribe the right type, duration and intensity of exercise after careful assessment and evaluation of your condition. They will ensure the exercise you do gives you the desired result so you can enjoy its benefits rather than its negatives.

If you’ve had a coronary artery bypass or a stroke, have a musculoskeletal injury or any orthopaedic or postural ailments, have diabetes, need to improve your sport performance or simply require an assessment of your current level of fitness (or health risks), you can benefit from visiting a Biokineticist.
Here, Biokineticists answered a few questions about their work:
How does a Biokineticist differ to a Physiotherapist, Chiropractor or Personal Trainer?

In essence, all of these professions can work together to give a patient - depending on their condition - the best treatment possible.

A Physiotherapist uses various kinds of therapy, including light, electro-magnetic, electric and massages, to get patients to pain-free functional ROM (range of motion).

A Chiropractor is concerned with adjusting mal-alignments of the body, specifically the spine, to achieve normal functioning of the body.

A Biokineticist uses specialised exercises to bring about optimal fitness and wellbeing for people with various medical conditions.

A Personal Trainer can assist at the end stage of treatment by supervising a maintenance exercise programme or maintaining strength and condition of the rest of the body, but they are not equipped to assess or prescribe to the individual the way a Biokineticist does. A Personal Trainer usually deals with the strength and conditioning of people free of disease and injury. It is important to note that a Personal Trainer works best with clients who have no pathology whatsoever.

Any individual with a minor or major ailment is advised to consult a Biokineticist to prevent aggravating symptoms or biomechanics.
How would you describe your typical working day?
Biokineticist A
  • 6-7am: I exercise (I’m addicted to it and feel robbed if I don’t fit it into my schedule) and eat breakfast before preparing for my clients.
  • 8am-12pm: One-on-one sessions with clients.
  • 12-2pm: Lunch, and then I attend to the admin involved in running a practice, including returning phone calls, paying bills and following up on outstanding payments from medical aids.
  • 2-6pm: Sessions with clients.
  • 6pm: By now I’m ready for supper, but first I return some phone calls and prepare for tomorrow.
Biokineticist B
  • 6-10am: I see clients for rehab and evaluations (before and after office hours are my busiest times).
  • 10am-12pm: I use this time to attend to personal matters, wellness days, outside appointments or my own training.
  • 12-4pm: Training and evaluations with clients - mostly one-on-one sessions. After 3pm, it’s mostly school athletes.
  • 4-8pm: In-between sessions (some dedicated to training teams, not just individuals), I also prepare for tomorrow and take care of the admin generated today.
Given your tight schedule, how does someone make an appointment?
By calling me. If I’m with a client, I won’t answer, but leave a message and I’ll get back to you. Or contact me by email. (For contact details of a Biokineticist closest to you, go to www.virginlifecare.co.za)
What are the most common ailments you treat?
Most common are shoulder instability and rotator cuff injuries, acute and chronic knee injuries, lower back and neck conditions, and patients with cardiac conditions.
What advice would you give people wanting to improve their fitness for health reasons?
It is important to first undergo a screening to determine your current health or physical status, together with a medical clearance from your doctor or specialist. Start with a few supervised sessions with a Biokineticist to rule out any contra-indications, to learn proper exercise techniques and for them to monitor how your condition responds to exercise.
What advice would you give those aspiring to improve their fitness so they can enhance their sport performance?
When developing fitness for a particular sport, you need to consider ’periodisation‘. A Biokineticist will design your programme so that your fitness is at its peak at the right time.
What advice would you give people in general?
Don’t expect change to happen overnight. Be patient, stick to the basics and perform exercise or physical activity that you enjoy. Another tip is to always practice good posture - it will not only prevent injury, but also make you look 10 years younger and 10 kilos slimmer!
The Virgin Life Care Network of Biokineticists offers fitness assessments that give you a snapshot of your current wellness. You will be taken through a battery of tests to determine your cardiovascular fitness, muscle endurance and flexibility. Some resting measurements (blood pressure, body fat, weight, height and waist) are taken and you fill out a literary and lifestyle questionnaire to determine your state of wellness. Check with your rewards programme if you can earn points for completing a Virgin Life Care Fitness Assessment or visit our website: www.virginlifecare.co.za for more information.
It’s good to know that most medical aids
consider biokinetics a billable service,
so make sure you submit your claim.