It’s easy to get the two mixed up as they share some similarities.
The key difference is that a Kinesiologist has an in-depth knowledge of body movement, posture, body mechanics, and strengthening. A Physiotherapist is responsible for assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients with manual techniques, corrective exercise, and other treatments such as acupuncture and intramuscular stimulation (IMS). Both are regulated health professionals and are experienced in prescribing therapeutic exercises. They also collaborate together to design your Personal Treatment Plan and help you achieve optimal results!
Active Rehabilitation helps you get back to an active, healthy life!
Active Rehabilitation sessions are provided by Registered Kinesiologists. These healthcare professionals are university-educated and provincially licensed. They are also recognized providers for ICBC, so funding is available after motor vehicle injuries. Some private insurance/extended health benefits also include Kinesiology coverage.
In a nutshell, Active Rehab is a customized exercise program designed to help you recover as quickly as possible from any kind of injury or physical ailment.
These one-on-one sessions will improve your strength and posture, address affected areas, as well as provide full-body training, stretching and cardio. Your Kinesiologist will put together an at-home exercise plan for you too, giving you the tools necessary to independently manage your injury.
This type of therapy is suitable for people in any stage of recovery, from learning breathing exercises to returning to high-intensity sports, and everywhere in between. Evidence shows that the earlier we reintroduce proper movement, the better your outcome will be.
- Your Kinesiologist will work within your tolerated pain levels and range of motion to design a treatment plan that compliments your other treatments.
- Common injuries we see are low back pain, whiplash, sciatica, neck/shoulder pain and stiffness, arm and hand numbness, and concussions.
How Exercise Improves Recovery
Active Rehabilitation, or therapeutic exercise, focuses on restoring your mobility and strength, which in turn eliminates the accompanying pain and inflammation.
1. Promotes Blood Flow and Healing
Increasing blood flow and circulation helps with the healing process. Even short, daily walks can make a significant impact. Targeted Active Rehabilitation exercise encourages you to move appropriately, thereby avoiding further injury. It also reduces inflammation and helps prevent complications such as scar tissue, which can interfere with mobility and recovery.
2. Restores Function After Surgical Procedures
Safe and timely recovery from surgery or injury is a priority! A program of rehabilitative exercise helps you heal sooner, move better, and limit your need for pain medication.
3. Improves Your Quality of Life
Some injuries take away your ability to move as you did before your injury. A return to your previous mobility can take time, and some movements may never be restored on their own. You can strengthen the muscles surrounding the affected area, improve your flexibility, and slowly regain your range of motion.
4. Eases Chronic Pain
Chronic pain can develop because of improper or incomplete healing of muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Over time, you might compensate by subconscious changes in posture or habits that are easier on the injured area.
Exercise that is prescribed by a professional can help you identify and fix the factors which may be contributing to chronic problems. Kinesiologists and Physiotherapists work together to strengthen the weaknesses at the source of your pain so that you can move more freely.
5. Prevents Re-Injury
Exercise prepares your body to resume your regular activities. If you return to your pre-injury life without preparation, you could re-injure yourself or delay healing. You need to learn the proper way to approach certain physical activities and get your body ready.
A study of patients with lower back pain showed that rehabilitative exercise reduced future treatment costs by 72% in just one year.
The way to return to your regular activities safely and effectively is through customized therapeutic exercise.
