Kinesiology is the science of human movement, performance and function. Kinesiologists are university educated healthcare professionals who have studied body mechanics and the role human movement plays in preventing and managing injury, chronic disease, disability, and overall performance.

Kinesiologists can prescribe exercise-related practices for the management of injury, chronic disease, and return to work strategies. This can be during a clinic session with one-on-one training and coaching or through take home exercise programs for clients to implement into their lifestyle. A kinesiologist can work with people of all ages and physical abilities to help them achieve their health and wellness goals.

How can kinesiology help me?

A kinesiologist is here to help every member of the community, from athletes to desk-bound workers to people dealing with persistent pain. If you have been injured in an accident, a kinesiologist can help you manage your pain and improve your symptoms of injury by improving muscle strength and stability. A kinesiologist will use their knowledge of anatomy, specifically in exercise physiology, to develop a specific exercises program that is designed for you.

A kinesiologist can help with:

• Suffering from a disease such as high blood pressure or diabetes
• Fall prevention for seniors
• Recovery from an accident
• Preparing for or recovering from surgery
• Non-specific low back pain
• Poor workspace ergonomics
• Muscular strengthening
• Overall improvement of health

The involvement of a kinesiologist in your exercise planning can lead to healthier daily living, faster recovery, less pain, and enhanced sport performance.

What should I wear to my appointment?

Wear comfortably fitting lounge or exercise attire. In your initial session, you may move through a variety of functional movements during your full body assessment. During subsequent sessions you will use this time to receive exercise coaching, to stretch, and to discuss any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan. Your kinesiologist will be there to help you reach your movement goals.

ICBC supports clients working with a Kinesiologist

ICBC recognizes kinesiology as an essential form of active rehabilitation and believes working with a kinesiologist can play an integral part in your recovery from injury. If you have been injured in a motor-vehicle accident, you may be eligible to receive full ICBC coverage for all visits with a Kinesiologist.

– Laney Twerdohlib, Kinesiologist 

Specialized physiotherapy for the assessment and treatment of bladder and bowel incontinence, and pelvic pain are becoming more recognized as a first line of defence.

If you think you may be affected, ask yourself the following questions: 

• Have you experienced incontinence when heading to the bathroom, or when you cough or sneeze?
• Do you find yourself straining or in pain when passing a bowel movement?
• Have you experienced pain with intercourse?
• Do you suffer from lower back or hip pain?
• Are you pregnant or post-partum and experiencing leakage?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, the pelvic floor muscles, fascia and nerves may be contributing to your symptoms, and assessment by a pelvic floor physiotherapist is recommended.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy goes beyond the well-known Kegel, and should be assessed and treated similarly to any other muscular injury or imbalance. The goal is to optimize the coordination, strength, and flexibility of the pelvic floor muscles. Through the use of a ‘rib to knees assessment approach’ your pelvic floor physiotherapist will explain the important relationship between your diaphragm, core, and pelvic floor. Any imbalances, previous trauma, or de-conditioning can lead to symptoms such as rib pain, core weakness, back/hip pelvic pain or incontinence. Your pelvic floor physiotherapist will then work to address these symptoms, and create a manageable and empowering treatment plan to help you regain control and function around what can often feel like an isolating and embarrassing problem for many.

Who would benefit from a Pelvic Health Assessment? Those experiencing: 

• Stress incontinence: leakage with coughing, sneezing, jumping, running;
• Urge incontinence: leakage or loss of control without being able to delay voiding;
• A mix of the above incontinences;
• Women during pregnancy and post-partum;
• Post Prostatectomy, and:
• Nocturia – waking multiple times throughout the night to void

What should you expect at a Pelvic Health Appointment?

• Assessment of posture, movement mechanics, core and pelvic floor muscle activation;
• Option for internal assessment of pelvic floor musculature;
• Exercises specific for your pelvic floor muscle tone and function;
• Education on symptom management, and;
• Self-management techniques to confidently perform exercises at home

If you have questions or concerns around your pelvic floor, or are currently pregnant or post partum, book an assessment with our Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, Paige Marzinzik at our Downtown or Lower Mission Clinic.

What is Achilles Tendonitis?

Achilles tendonitis is a painful condition that results from an imbalance between tissue wear and repair in the Achilles tendon – at the back of the ankle. It usually develops slowly over time, although symptoms can come on quite suddenly.

Factors affecting tissue wear can include activity level, biomechanics, muscle imbalance and footwear. Factors that affect tissue repair can include age, gender, genetics, sleep, fitness level, and certain medications and medical conditions.

Why Should I Know the Signs?

Achilles pain is common in athletes and for those who spend a large portion of their day standing or walking. The development of tendon pain is often preceded by a change in activity level, for example running longer distances or spending more time walking at a new job. Sometimes tendon pain can come on several months after making such a change. Other times it can be hard to pinpoint the exact cause of the injury, since tendonitis is influenced by so many factors.

How Can Physiotherapy Help?

The ideal treatment for Achilles tendonitis will depend on how old the injury is, the section of tendon affected, and the type and degree of tissue change that is present (for example is the tendon thickened, or are there bony changes where the tendon attaches to the heel bone). Management will often involve activity modification as well as a progressive exercise program.

Your physiotherapist can help to confirm your diagnosis (several other conditions can cause pain at the back of the ankle!) and can help to identify and correct any muscle imbalances or biomechanical problems that may be contributing to your injury. Achilles tendonitis can also benefit from Shockwave Therapy which is offered at all Sun City Physiotherapy locations.

Rob Heimbach is a registered physiotherapist who works out of our Glenmore clinic. His passions include distance running, hiking, tennis, curling, and beach volleyball. He is an outdoors and movement enthusiast who enjoys helping people return to pain free movement!