Kinesiotherapy
Encyclopedia
Kinesiotherapy is the application of scientifically based exercise principles adapted to enhance the strength
, endurance
, and mobility of individuals with functional
limitations of those requiring extended physical conditioning.
The kinesiotherapist is a health care professional competent in the administration of musculoskeletal, neurological, ergonomic, biomechanical, psychosocial, and task-specific functional tests and measures. The kinesiotherapist determines the appropriate evaluation tools and interventions necessary to establish, in collaboration with the client, a goal-specific treatment plan.
The intervention process includes the development and implementation of a treatment plan, assessment of progress toward goals, modification as necessary to achieve goals and outcomes, and client education. The foundation of clinician-client rapport is based on education, instruction, demonstration, and mentoring of therapeutic techniques and behaviors to restore, maintain, and improve overall functional abilities.
The scope of practice
for kinesiotherapy identifies the job tasks that registered kinesiotherapists are qualified to perform. The individual kinesiotherapist may obtain additional training and credentials in areas beyond the scope of practice. The Standards of Practice for registered kinesiotherapists serves as a guideline for practicing registered kinesiotherapists and provides a basis for assessment of kinesiotherapy practices.
The types of treatments carried out by kinesiotherapists focus on but are not limited to: therapeutic exercise, ambulation training, geriatric rehabilitation, aquatic therapy, adapted fitness and conditioning, prosthetic/orthotic rehabilitation, psychiatric rehabilitation, driver training, and adapted exercise for the home setting.
A registered kinesiotherapist is an allied health
professional competent in the administration of musculoskeletal, neurological, ergonomic, biomechanical
, psychosocial
, and task specific functional tests and measures. The kinesiotherapist determines the appropriate evaluation tools and interventions necessary to establish, in collaboration with the client, a goal specific treatment plan.
The intervention process includes the development and implementation of a treatment plan, assessment of progress toward goals, modification as necessary to achieve goals and outcomes, and client education. The foundation of clinician-client rapport is based on education, instruction, demonstration and mentoring of therapeutic techniques and behaviors to restore, maintain and improve overall functional abilities.
Kinesiotherapists can administer treatment only upon receipt of a prescription from qualified physicians, nurse practitioners and/or physician assistant
s.
Physical strength
Physical strength is the ability of a person or animal to exert force on physical objects using muscles. Increasing physical strength is the goal of strength training.-Overview:...
, endurance
Endurance
Endurance is the ability for a human or animal to exert itself and remain active for a long period of time, as well as its ability to resist, withstand, recover from, and have immunity to trauma, wounds, or fatigue. In humans, it is usually used in aerobic or anaerobic exercise...
, and mobility of individuals with functional
Functional
Generally, functional refers to something able to fulfill its purpose or function.*Functionalism and Functional form, movements in architectural design*Functional group, certain atomic combinations that occur in various molecules, e.g...
limitations of those requiring extended physical conditioning.
Occupational description
The kinesiotherapist is academically and clinically prepared to provide rehabilitation exercise and education under the prescription of a licensed physician in an appropriate setting. Kinesiotherapists are qualified to implement exercise programs designed to reverse or minimize debilitation and enhance the functional capacity of medically stable patients in a wellness, sub-acute, or extended care setting. The role of the kinesiotherapist demands intelligence, judgment, honesty, interpersonal skills, and the capacity to react to emergencies in a calm and reasoned manner. An attitude of respect for self and others, adherence to the concepts of privilege and confidentiality in communicating with patients, and a commitment to the patient’s welfare are standard attributes. At a minimum, a kinesiotherapist is educated in areas of basic exercise science and clinical applications of rehabilitation exercise. Training is received in orthopedic, neurological, psychiatric, pediatric, cardiovascular- pulmonary, and geriatric practice settings.Job description
Kinesiotherapy is the application of scientifically based exercise principles adapted to enhance the strength, endurance, and mobility of individuals with functional limitations or those requiring extended physical conditioning.The kinesiotherapist is a health care professional competent in the administration of musculoskeletal, neurological, ergonomic, biomechanical, psychosocial, and task-specific functional tests and measures. The kinesiotherapist determines the appropriate evaluation tools and interventions necessary to establish, in collaboration with the client, a goal-specific treatment plan.
The intervention process includes the development and implementation of a treatment plan, assessment of progress toward goals, modification as necessary to achieve goals and outcomes, and client education. The foundation of clinician-client rapport is based on education, instruction, demonstration, and mentoring of therapeutic techniques and behaviors to restore, maintain, and improve overall functional abilities.
The scope of practice
Scope of Practice
Scope of Practice is a terminology used by national and state/provincial licensing boards for various professions that defines the procedures, actions, and processes that are permitted for the licensed individual. The scope of practice is limited to that which the law allows for specific education...
for kinesiotherapy identifies the job tasks that registered kinesiotherapists are qualified to perform. The individual kinesiotherapist may obtain additional training and credentials in areas beyond the scope of practice. The Standards of Practice for registered kinesiotherapists serves as a guideline for practicing registered kinesiotherapists and provides a basis for assessment of kinesiotherapy practices.
Employment characteristics
Registered kinesiotherapists are employed in Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, public and private hospitals, medical fitness facilities, rehabilitation facilities, learning disability centers, schools, colleges and universities, private practice, and as exercise consultants.The types of treatments carried out by kinesiotherapists focus on but are not limited to: therapeutic exercise, ambulation training, geriatric rehabilitation, aquatic therapy, adapted fitness and conditioning, prosthetic/orthotic rehabilitation, psychiatric rehabilitation, driver training, and adapted exercise for the home setting.
A registered kinesiotherapist is an allied health
Allied health professions
Allied health professions are clinical health care professions distinct from dentistry, nursing and medicine. One estimate reported allied health professionals make up 60 percent of the total health workforce...
professional competent in the administration of musculoskeletal, neurological, ergonomic, biomechanical
Biomechanics
Biomechanics is the application of mechanical principles to biological systems, such as humans, animals, plants, organs, and cells. Perhaps one of the best definitions was provided by Herbert Hatze in 1974: "Biomechanics is the study of the structure and function of biological systems by means of...
, psychosocial
Psychosocial
For a concept to be psychosocial means it relates to one's psychological development in, and interaction with, a social environment. The individual needs not be fully aware of this relationship with his or her environment. It was first commonly used by psychologist Erik Erikson in his stages of...
, and task specific functional tests and measures. The kinesiotherapist determines the appropriate evaluation tools and interventions necessary to establish, in collaboration with the client, a goal specific treatment plan.
The intervention process includes the development and implementation of a treatment plan, assessment of progress toward goals, modification as necessary to achieve goals and outcomes, and client education. The foundation of clinician-client rapport is based on education, instruction, demonstration and mentoring of therapeutic techniques and behaviors to restore, maintain and improve overall functional abilities.
Kinesiotherapists can administer treatment only upon receipt of a prescription from qualified physicians, nurse practitioners and/or physician assistant
Physician assistant
A physician assistant/associate ' is a healthcare professional trained and licensed to practice medicine with limited supervision by a physician.-General description:...
s.