BE MOVED - Not much to do with Unisa or Unisa Books but Interesting anyway

Is it just me or are other presumably educated people pretty ignorant? If you are reading this article you are probably one of the sharper knives in the drawer. Yet, most of us, “sharp knives” have gaps in our knowledge that we don’t like to admit. Who hasn’t smiled and nodded along in the hope of disguising their ignorance of a specific topic of conversation? 

Most people have heard of biokineticists yet few have any real notion of what these health professionals do. They may suppose that biokinetics has something to doing with the body and exercise. This is an accurate assumption but is nowhere nearly comprehensive. 

Graham Hatch, a biokineticist at the Linksfield Orthopaedic, Sport and Rehabilitation Centre confirms the general public’s ignorance of his profession. He says, “Many people don’t actually know what we do. However, there is a gradual improvement in the general public’s understanding”.

The scholarly among you may have guessed as to the etymology of the word “biokinetics”: “Bios’, meaning life and “kinetikos” referring to movement.

This is all very well but does still not answer the most important of questions: What does a biokineticist actually do? Hatch says, “A few misconceptions exist, the most common being that we are physiotherapists and even personal trainers.”

“A biokineticist uses exercise as a means of treating orthopaedic problems involving the musculoskeletal system, as well as the management of medical conditions such as the so-called chronic diseases of lifestyle, e.g. diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Because we work with such conditions we have to be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa”.

The University of Stellenbosch’s Biokinetics Centre gives another definition. “Biokinetics is exercise therapy specifically suited to the individual. A biokineticist, who has specialised knowledge and skills, does individual assessments and then prescribes specific exercises in order to improve quality of life. This expertise equips the biokineticist to form part of the health team in the three main fields of biokinetics – prevention, maintenance and rehabilitation – at all levels of healthcare”.

Recently I had occasion to visit a biokineticist myself. Avid and caring readers may recall mention of my shoulder dislocation a few months ago. Unfortunately, since the initial dislocation I happened to dislocate my shoulder once more. This time it was at a Ju-Jitsu competition. I had rested and recovered from the first dislocation. Yet, it seems that reoccurrence is an integral part of the nature of shoulder dislocations.

The biokineticist explained to me that even more than with most joints, muscles play an important role in holding the shoulder in place. 

The first part of my treatment involved a series of tests that sought to establish any deficits and deficiencies regarding the muscles that support the shoulder. A comparison was made between my healthy and injured shoulder. This would serve as a baseline in relation to which my future progress would be measured.

One of these tests was rather high tech and therefore exciting. A computerised machine measured the speed of acceleration as I performed a series of external and internal rotations of the shoulder, acting against the weight of the machine.

After the tests a sequence of exercises was prescribed for me. With each of my weekly visits the difficulty of these intensified. Apart from exercises that simply improved strength, other exercises were intended to increase the stability and responsiveness of the relevant muscles. 

One of the more challenging exercises I was asked to perform was a rather elaborate modification of the always popular pushup. I was given a medicine ball, slightly smaller than a football. I was instructed to place my left hand on the ball; then do a pushup and quickly swap the hand resting on the ball with the other and repeat the process on the opposite side. This exercise tested my balance – any lapse in concentration while completing the procedure would likely mean falling flat on my face.

With every biokinetic session I felt a little stronger. I was working hard and my motivation was increased by the warning that if my shoulder continued to intermittently “pop” out of place I may need to have an operation. I would do everything possible to give myself the best chance of avoiding the surgeon’s knife.

It has now been a number of weeks since my last appointment with the biokineticist. I have returned to my normal regimen of throws and falls – an inevitable part of Ju-Jitsu training. So far, so good. For my particular ailment biokinetics presented both a means of recovery from, and prevention of injury.

Hatch explains the process of becoming a biokineticist, “In order to become a registered biokineticist, four years (honours) training is required with an additional two years of internship. Of this two year internship, the first year forms part of the honours degree while the second year of internship is done under the supervision of a biokineticist that is registered to train interns. Only once the internship year has been completed can a prospective “bio” register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. The whole process of study takes five years to complete”. 

The most common problem that biokineticists encounter in an orthopeadic setting is lower back pain. A number of shoulder and knee problems are also common afflictions.

Biokineticists, it seems, are the last port of call in a recovery process.

“In an orthopaedic setting bios are usually involved in the final phases of rehabilitation, i.e. when the patient is relatively pain free and has a good range of motion. The biokineticist’s job is to use exercise to strengthen the muscles around the involved joint, as well as correct any faulty mechanics or postures which might predispose the individual to re-injury.” 

From a psychological perspective the main benefit of biokinetics is obvious. Unlike surgery or medication the prescription of biokinetic treatment allows people to contribute to their own improved health in a very real way. It is their actions, under the supervision of a biokineticist, that will precede enhanced wellbeing. They will then be the masters of their fate and not merely victim to the fell clutches of circumstance.

For more information on biokinetics visit www.biokinetics.org.za