How Does A Kinesiologist Differ From A Physiotherapist Or An Occupational Therapist?

On many occasions, I have had insurance adjusters ask me to explain the differences between Kinesiology, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy. The boundaries of these specialties are not carved in stone, and they do intermingle on many different levels. However, they are totally separate fields of study at university and, for the most part, totally different in the work place also.

Kinesiology is the study of the science of human movement, focusing on how the body functions and moves. A Kinesiologist will apply the latest evidenced based scientific/medical principles to preserve and enhance human movement in all settings and populations.

In university level education, the term kinesiology is used to describe a multifaceted field of study in which movement or physical activity is the intellectual focus. Physical activity includes exercise for improvement of health and physical fitness, activities of daily living, work, sport, dance, and play, and involves special population groups such as, children and the elderly; persons with disability, injury or disease; and athletes. The specialized areas of study apply knowledge, methods of inquiry, and principles from traditional areas of study in the arts, humanities and sciences. These areas include exercise and sport biomechanics, history, philosophy, physiology, biochemistry and molecular/cellular physiology, psychology, and sociology; motor behavior; measurement; physical fitness; and sports medicine. These specialists are chosen most often to perform Functional Abilities Evaluations as a result of this knowledge base.

The study of kinesiology can lead to a variety of careers involving teaching, research, coaching and delivery of services related to physical activity and fitness, health promotion, rehabilitation (including insurance related matters) and sports medicine. Positions are found in a variety of settings including schools, colleges and universities, public and private agencies, clinical environments, government, business and the military.

A Physiotherapist (PT) is a graduate of a recognized university- based school of physiotherapy who is qualified to provide preventative, diagnostic and therapeutic services aimed at restoring function and preventing disability arising from disease, trauma or injury. They have a detailed understanding of how the body works, knowledge of disease, injury and the healing process and ability to distinguish what is normal from abnormal in posture, balance and movement and function.

In Canada today, a PT is a university graduate with a minimum of four years academic training plus clinical internships completed in recognized health care facilities across the world.

Through a variety of hands-on treatments, education and exercise prescription, physical therapists will help patients maximize their ability to function.  Whether they suffer from headaches, Alzheimer's disease, have a shoulder that hurts when it moves or they are unable to walk, there is a physical therapy treatment available to help them reduce pain, gain strength and flexibility, and manage their independence.

PT’s are involved in some of the following areas of practice: Accupuncture, burns, cardiology, respirology, geriatrics, chronic care, neurology, incontinence care, industrial health, paediatrics and sports.

Occupational therapists (OT’s) help people improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments. They work with individuals who have conditions that are mentally, physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabling. They also help them to develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills.

OT’s help clients not only to improve their basic motor functions and reasoning abilities, but also compensate for permanent loss of function. Their goal is to help clients have independent, productive, and satisfying lives.

OT’s assist clients in performing activities of all types, ranging from using a computer to caring for daily needs such as dressing, cooking, and eating. Physical exercises may be used to increase strength and dexterity, while other activities may be chosen to improve visual acuity and the ability to discern patterns. For example, a client with short-term memory loss might be encouraged to make lists to aid recall, and a person with coordination problems might be assigned exercises to improve hand-eye coordination. OT’s also use computer programs to help clients improve decision making, abstract-reasoning, problem-solving, and perceptual skills, as well as memory, sequencing, and coordination—all of which are important for independent living.

OT’s instruct those with permanent disabilities, such as spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, or muscular dystrophy, in the use of adaptive equipment, including wheelchairs, splints, and aids for eating and dressing. They also design or make special equipment needed at home or at work. Therapists develop computer-aided adaptive equipment and teach clients with severe limitations how to use that equipment in order to communicate better and control various aspects of their environment.

Some OT’s treat individuals whose ability to function in a work environment has been impaired. OT’s help people adapt to environments and adapt environments to people. These practitioners arrange employment, evaluate the work environment, plan work activities, and assess the client’s progress. OT’s also may collaborate with the client and the employer to modify the work environment so that the work can be successfully completed.

I hope this helps!!

Spring Cleaning!                      By: Jodi Levstein, Kinesiologist

For most of us, the winter is a time to hunker down, stay in, watch movies and gain weight (ugh!). Well folks, spring is just around the corner and that means summer is not far off.  No better time to start getting things ready for the beautiful sunshine then now.   So how do you suddenly find time to get to the gym and, with all the barbeque and pool parties coming up, how can you possibly think about sticking to a diet?

Here is a simple mini-workout that you can do at home in about 10 minutes; do it in the morning and you will feel better throughout the day. There are also a few great tips to making healthy food choices.  Just remember, if you are getting some type of regular exercise and generally making healthy food choices, it’s okay to treat yourself, once in a while (umm cake!), but watch portion size, after all it is only a treat!

Abs: Do as many crunches (knees bent, look up at the ceiling, elbows out to the side, lift your upper back off the floor) each morning as your age (ain’t that a bummer first thought in the morning!!!!) Then follow that by doing one or two sets of 25 crunches, 25 reverse crunches (pulling your knees to your chest), 25 scissor crunches (legs straight, knees slightly bent, one leg up while the other goes down) and then follow all of that with ten full sit ups (sexy washboard abs, here we come!).

Butt: Do 20 squats (feet shoulder width apart, hands on your waist, crouch to about 90°, keeping your back straight), alternate days with lunges (hands on your waist, step forward with your left foot, drop your right knee to the floor, keeping your back straight, then step forward with right foot ………and so on). Then, hold a squat position for ten seconds (ah the horror, feel the burn), repeat with another twenty squats/lunges, and hold the squat again. Think you can do this again?

Arms: Ladies think tank tops and guys, bulging biceps! Using a pair of dumbbells, do twenty bicep curls (you can also use jugs of bleach!), a set of ten push-ups, a set of 10 tricep dips (using the edge of a chair) and then repeat all! And a third time if you can take it!

Chest: All you need to do are some push-ups (keep you abs tight, don’t allow your stomach to touch the floor and don’t stick your butt in the air!). Do three sets of ten, as many of them on your toes as possible. You can do it. You’re ready for anything.

Butt (yes, again): Hey, it's a very important body part! (fitted pants here I come!!!!). Grab a low chair/stool, step up onto it, and then down (up and down and up and down!). Do this 10 times, leading with one first first, then other one.

§       Drink six glasses of fresh water daily.  Avoid regular pop, as it contains a ton of sugar just waiting to turn you into a blob.

§       Eat at least one fresh, live food at each meal. Raw fruits and veggies contain powerful vitamins, minerals, enzymes and phytonutrients that have anti-aging components. 

§       Include a protein source at every meal (chicken, fish, soy, lean beef, egg whites or yogurt). It is essential in maintaining the proper growth and repair of muscles.

§       Eliminate white flour and sugar from your diet (bread, pasta). Substitute with whole grains such as rye, multigrain, flax, kamut and flourless ones.

§        When grocery shopping, primarily shop in the perimeter of the store (produce, meat, dairy).  Shelved items should make up only a small portion of your items. They can stay on the shelves for a reason!!

§       Eat slowly. To properly digest, absorb and eliminate food, it must be chewed thoroughly. Take the time to enjoy all aspects of your meal including the sight, smell, taste and texture. The average meal should last 20 to 30 minutes. You may also notice that you will eat less! Also, eat only when you are hungry. Keep some healthy snacks around in case you get a craving (fruit, granola bars, a few nuts and sugar free snacks).

REMEMBER, THE CHOICES YOU MAKE SHAPE YOU!!!