Journal
What does a kinesiologist do, and when should you see one?
4 minute read. Written by the team at Back in Health, Kelowna.
In short
A kinesiologist uses exercise as the treatment. They assess how you move, then build and coach a progressive plan to restore strength, mobility and confidence after an injury, surgery or a car accident. Physiotherapy usually leads in the early, painful stage; kinesiology takes over as you are ready to load and rebuild.
What a session looks like
The first visit is mostly assessment: what you need to get back to, what is limiting you, and how you move under load. After that, sessions are hands-on coaching, working through exercises, adjusting them as you get stronger, and making sure you can do them correctly on your own between visits.
Wear clothes you can move in. You do not need any fitness background; plans start where you are.
Who it suits
People rebuilding after a sprain, strain or surgery once the acute stage has passed. People recovering from a motor vehicle crash, where ICBC funds active rehabilitation. Anyone with a long-standing problem that keeps coming back, where the missing piece is strength and capacity rather than more hands-on treatment.
Kinesiology and ICBC
In British Columbia, ICBC covers kinesiology after a crash without a doctor's referral. Bring your claim number to the first appointment and the clinic bills ICBC directly. If you are also seeing a physiotherapist or massage therapist, the plans are coordinated so the exercise and the hands-on work support each other.
Key points
- Exercise is the treatment, coached and progressed visit to visit
- Best after the acute stage, to rebuild strength and confidence
- ICBC covers kinesiology after a crash, billed directly
- No referral needed in BC
General information, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan. If something is getting worse, or you are unsure whether it is right for you, speak to a clinician.