Kinesiotherapy is defined as 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. Kinesiotherapy and physical therapy are similar fields; both deal with the treatment of patients who have suffered from a physical injury or illness.
The physiotherapist 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.
For each patient, the physiotherapist will:
- Evaluate the person’s mobility, strength, and endurance
- Discuss treatment goals
- Educate the patient about how the body works and what is causing the impairment
- Develop an appropriate, targeted treatment plan
- Guide the patient in performing exercises correctly
- Monitor progress
- Modify the plan as needed to achieve specific goals
In addition to choosing the right exercises, a successful outcome depends on how well the therapist and patient work together. Building a good relationship and motivating the patient to do the exercises regularly is a key role of the physiotherapist.
Kinesiotherapy (among others) applies to:
- Any incident and occasion where the patient needs to enhance his/her strength and/or physical mobility, like rehabilitation after car accidents, post surgery rehabilitation etc
- Adults and children with special needs
- Cerebral palsy
- Chronic pain and inflammation in the spine (neck pains-lumbago-sciatica) and extremities
- In patients with false and bad movement and posture patterns
- In elderly and not with arthritis and osteoporosis
- Muscle Atrophy
- Palsy of limbs or neurological events (stroke, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, neuropathies, etc)
- Obesity
- Chronic cardiac and respiratory diseases
- In athletes with ligaments, tendons and soft tissue damage
- In extremities fractures and vertebral column
- After major surgeries (heart, hips, knees, spine)
A prerequisite for starting physical therapy in some of these diseases is the exercise start command by attending physician considering and taking into account the patient’s condition and especially the healing stage or poroseos fracture.
