The Role of the Kinesiologist vs. the Physiotherapist in Rehab
Many kinesiology undergraduate students have the goal to pursue physiotherapy after their degree, but how many of them have actually seen and understood what the role of the kinesiologist vs. the physiotherapist is in rehabilitation? Maybe if students had a better understanding of the difference between the two, it would have the potential to change their whole career path. One role is not necessarily more important than the other, but there are some key differences (and similarities!) that I would like to highlight to help broaden your understanding of the rehab world - at least from my perspective as a kinesiologist working with acute injuries at a CBI Health clinic in Edmonton, Alberta.
Here are some things I hope you’ll walk away with after reading this:
1.) Understand the important role that the kinesiologist plays in rehabilitation
2.) Realize that you can pursue your passion for rehabilitation without becoming a physiotherapist
Disclaimer: Each physiotherapy clinic will run differently from one another based on client population, clinic operations, and the qualifications/skills of the kinesiologist. Please note that I am only speaking from my own experience with the CBI Health clinic that I work for within my own skills and abilities.
Role Breakdown
In case you don’t already know, let’s define each role. A kinesiologist is a “human movement specialist that works to develop training programs in rehabilitation, performance, and prevention of injury and chronic disease”. A physiotherapist is a “human movement specialist that uses a hands-on approach to help manage pain, improve mobility, and improve motor function”. At my clinic, we commonly deal with acute soft tissue injuries (sprains/strains/tears) from the mechanism of a car accident or workplace injury. When we break down the goals of acute injury rehab, we can see where the kinesiologist plays a role compared to the physiotherapist:
- Pain control
- Client education
- Reduce muscle tension and improve muscle strength
The initial assessment and diagnostics piece is completed by the physiotherapist. Without that, it would be difficult for the kinesiologist to know what steps to take to help the client. Beyond that, the role of the kinesiologist in the rehab process is just as important as the physiotherapist. There are some cases where the kinesiologist is responsible for delivering modalities (TENS, IFC, ultrasound) to the client, but these positions are referred to as physiotherapy assistants. These positions typically require a 2 year diploma program. Some clinics may have both kinesiologists and physiotherapy assistants on site, or neither.
Timeline for Rehabilitation
With an acute injury, the timeline for the rehabilitation process varies greatly depending on the client and the extent of their injury. Hypothetically, let’s say an average client may rehab for 12 weeks. The initial stages of rehab (4-6 weeks) involve pain control and a gradual reduction in muscle tension. The physiotherapist will have more involvement in the initial stages of rehab, as modalities/massage/mobilizations are an important factor in pain control. The kinesiologist will also have involvement by providing heat, comfortable rest positions, stretching, and gentle movement.
From there (6-12 weeks), the next steps in rehab involve improving range of motion and regaining muscle strength to improve functionality and reduce the risk of re-injury. The kinesiologist will have more involvement in the later stages of rehab as stretching, range of motion, and exercise are part of their scope of practice and necessary for recovery, maintenance, and the prevention of re-injury. Now, you’ll notice that the physiotherapist’s role also covers stretching and exercise. However, when having to cover other duties such as massage/mobilizations/manipulations, or the use of therapeutic modalities, it leaves less time for exercise. This demonstrates the importance of the role of the kinesiologist in the later stages of rehab. Additionally, clients benefit from kinesiologist appointments that have a sole focus on stretches, range of motion, and exercise that are crucial for recovery in the last 6-12 weeks of rehab.
Why is the Kinesiologist Important?
The role of the kinesiologist is significant because regaining muscle strength is the most important goal in the later stages of acute injury rehab.
Massage/manipulations/mobilizations, heat, and modality treatments will make clients “feel good” in the moment by reducing their muscle tension and managing pain. However, they will continue to lack strength and have pain with daily activities if they do not strengthen through exercise. It is crucial to regain muscle strength in a way that matches an individual’s daily physical demands, and minimizes the risk of re-injury. This makes the last stage of rehab meaningful, where the kinesiologist has the opportunity to set the client up for long-term success. This is done by teaching the client how to self-monitor, progress their exercise program, and self-manage any persistent pain or muscle tension.
It is important to recognize that despite having overlapping and differing roles in the rehab process, kinesiologists and physiotherapists are part of the same multidisciplinary team. At our clinic, the kinesiologist and physiotherapist have separate appointments with clients that are 1-1 with each client. So from the client’s perspective, they may see the physiotherapist once per week and the kinesiologist once per week on differing days. We schedule regular file reviews/case reviews each week to discuss client progress and appropriate progressions to ensure a collaborative and efficient rehab process for each client.
Exercise is Medicine
If you haven’t heard the term “exercise is medicine” before, you’d better believe it now! Unfortunately, not everyone understands and views exercise this way. When it comes to the client, most don’t understand the benefits, don’t like putting in the effort, don’t make the time, or are put off by the delayed muscle soreness that comes with exercise if they’ve never experienced it before. Long story short: Exercise requires effort. Real progress takes time and requires a lot of patience in a world that demands instant results. What does that say about the role of the kinesiologist? Not only does it involve teaching exercise; it also consists of providing education on the benefits, and using motivational interviewing and self-compassion as tools to help clients be successful in their rehab journey. In fact, many physiotherapists will often state that they would not be able to do their job effectively or be as successful with rehabilitating clients if they did not have a kinesiologist on their team.
After reading this article, I hope you feel inspired and hopeful that you can pursue your passion for rehabilitation in whichever education path you choose. Stay tuned for a Part Two where Kim will give us input from her experience as a kinesiologist working at a neuro rehabilitation clinic. If you have any questions or want to know more about my experience as a kinesiologist, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly. I’d love to connect!
Sincerely,
Your Kines Mentor
