Physiotherapy and Kinesiology - HOW WE WORK AS A TEAM

Good Morning Deep Community!

Today’s post is focusing on our clinicians and updating an older blog post. We get alot of questions about Kinesiologist and how they work alongside the other healthcare professionals at the clinic. Physiotherapists and Kinesiologist? What is the difference? Most clients want to understand the difference between the two professions, and why at Deep we recommend a client to work with the kinesiologist.

Kinesiology is the scientific study of human movement. Kinesiologists graduate with a 4 year Bachelor of Kinesiology Degree which focuses on biomechanics and orthopedics; strength and conditioning; sport psychology; methods of rehabilitation, such as physical and occupational therapy; and sport and exercise. They also graduate with CSEP personal training qualification. It is common for physiotherapists to have completed a Bachelor in Kinesiology before applying for a Masters in Physiotherapy as the two degrees compliment each other. Physiotherapy is defined as a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialty that, by using mechanical force and movements, remediates impairments and promotes mobility, function, and quality of life through examination, diagnosis, prognosis, and physical intervention. Physiotherapists also take part in research, education, consultation, and administration.

Physiotherapists assess, diagnose, clinically reason and treat the client with a discharge plan and outcome in mind. Physiotherapists work alongside doctors, surgeons and other health care professionals to best assess, diagnose and treat the patient. The Kinesiologist has an in-depth knowledge of body movement, rehabilitation and strengthening and works alongside the physiotherapist. The Kinesiologist cannot assess and make changes to ones program without consulting the Physiotherapist. The Kinesiologist learns a multitude of muscles tests, hands on techniques and rehabilitation exercises but works alongside the Physiotherapist during the clients therapy. Kinesiology is not covered under Extended Health Benefits if you were to solely seek their expertise.

So, above is a bit of the breakdown of the two professions, but how to we work together at Deep Physio!?

At Deep we have 3 phases of treatment and health and wellness;

Phase 1 - Injured and in pain = seek assessment and treatment by a Physiotherapist, Massage Therapist, Acupuncturist and/or Chiropractor.

Phase 2 - Rehab Phase = working with the Physiotherapist and Kinesiologist - this phase is implemented early for faster recovery.

Phase 3 - Full function = Working with Personal Trainers, Pilates and Yoga instructors in single or group sessions to continue ongoing optimal functional strength and movement.

At Deep Physio we want to get you moving as soon as we can! Our goal is to get you out of pain as soon as possible, and then start rehabilitating with movement and corrective exercises. Our Kinesiologists have grown their knowledge extensively since starting with us at Deep Physio. They have taken the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Functional Capacity Screen (FCS) (upcoming blogs), Neurokinetic Therapy (NKT), Concussion Management, Rocktape, Rockblades, Rockpods, and Womens Health Training. At the clinic, we also use 2 modalities, the Shockwave and the K-laser (check out their blogs on our site), in which you would also be referred to the Kinesiologist if we are starting a course of treatments for acute or chronic healing alongside your rehab. These courses ensure that the Kinesiologist is at the same post grad course level as the Physiotherapist, so we can liaise effortlessly between the phases. SO, if you are being referred to work with the Kinesiologist, this is a GOOD thing! It means that you recovering and onto the next phase of rehabilitation.

We have two Kinesiologists who specialize in different scopes of practice. First we have Ryley - NKT, FMS & FCS, sports performance, concussion management, post surgical and soft tissue techniques. And second we have Sylvie - NKT, FMS & FCS, sports performance, concussion management, post surgical, soft tissue techniques and women’s health focus. The Physiotherapist will work alongside the Kinesiologist that might best suit the clients injury and pain.

Lastly, Phase 3 is purely for strength and conditioning while preventing injury and maintaining health and wellness. Our Kinesiologist are also personal trainers and take your rehab goals into training, and continuing on your journey to a stronger and healthier body! The Goal at Deep Physio is to offer training and exercise, whereby the client has the ability to load their body in a functional, specific, and monitored way to prevent re-injury.

Thanks for reading and Happy Sunday :)

Jordana Moxon

Physiotherapist/Founder