Because biokinetics involves looking at the entire body and
the way in which it moves, biokineticists are able to assess and rehabilitate
more than one injury at a time. Often two injuries may even be linked and it is
then useful to rehabilitate them together anyway. This is one of the main
differences between biokinetics and physiotherapy, a common question among the
general public.
Physiotherapists treat symptoms, providing immediate relief
by use of massage, heat, cold and various other techniques. Biokineticists look
at the entire body to establish what is causing the problem in the first place,
such as imbalances in muscle strength and flexibility. Appropriate exercises
are then prescribed to try and correct these imbalances so that hopefully the injury
does not keep recurring. It is, therefore, a
slower process and changes are often only noticed after six weeks of regular
rehabilitative exercise. However, it is hopefully a long-term solution.
It is for this reason that biokineticists can rehabilitate
multiple injuries at the same time and, often, it is easier to do so. For
example, one may have tendinitis in the ankle and also complain of knee pain in
the opposite leg. There is a very good chance that the knee pain is as a result
of overcompensation for the pain in the opposite ankle. Or, one might
experience pain in the knee of the same leg as the ankle, again due to
compensation. If there is a sore or weak point somewhere in the body, chances
are very good that somewhere else, something will be compensating for that
weakness, which may lead to further pain or injury.
This is also why it is so important to complete a
rehabilitation programme. Until the injury is completely rehabilitated, meaning
there is no longer an imbalance in muscle strength or flexibility, the injury
may recur or other problems may arise due to compensation.
So, biokinetics may be a long process, but if you follow the
programme you are given properly and to the end, it can
be very successful and you may be tackling two birds with one stone. The
knowledge you will gain regarding body awareness and technique will also stand
you in good stead for the future in terms of your physical functioning.
