Biokinetics forms part of a multi-disciplinary task team working hand in hand with Physiotherapists, Podiatrists, Orthopaedic Surgeons, Neuro-Surgeons, Cardiologists, Gynaecologists, Dieticians and various other health professionals. The biokinetic approach to health care is holistic, stressing the patient’s overall health and wellness. It recognizes that many factors affect health, including exercise, diet, rest, environment, and heredity. Biokinetics provides natural, drug-less, non-surgical health treatments and rehabilitation, and relies on the body’s inherent recuperative abilities. Biokinetic services are available to people of all ages, gender and nationality.

A biokineticist improves a person’s physical status and quality of life through individualized assessment and exercise prescription in the dual context of clinical pathology (acute and chronic) and performance enhancement.

A biokineticist focuses on each patient individually and treats every problem/injury according to the patient’s needs. Biokineticists use the muscular system of the human body to rehabilitate or prevent injuries and for that reason rely on the body’s inherent recuperative abilities.

A biokineticist also counsels patients about wellness concepts such as nutrition, exercise, stress management and recommend certain lifestyle changes, but a Biokineticist does not prescribe drugs or perform surgery.

Like other health practitioners, biokineticists follow a standard routine to secure the information needed for assessment and treatment.  They take the patient’s medical history into account, conduct physical, neurological, and orthopaedic examinations, and may request a test or diagnosis from a specialist or general practitioner.

X-rays and other diagnostic images are important tools because of the emphasis on the biomechanics of the human body and its proper function. Biokineticists also employ a postural and spinal analysis common to biokinetic evaluation.

Chronic diseases or health problems can affect a persons’ life tremendously. Biokineticists investigates how one’s ability to exercise is affected by a chronic disease or health problem and how exercise can be used to treat such disorders. Proficiency as a biokineticist requires a knowledge base that includes the fields on anatomy, physiology, chemistry, biology, and psychology.

Chronic diseases or health problems can affect a persons’ life tremendously. Biokineticists investigates how one’s ability to exercise is affected by a chronic disease or health problem and how exercise training can be used to treat such disorders. Proficiency as a biokineticist requires a knowledge base that includes the fields on anatomy, physiology, chemistry, biology, and psychology.

The diseases or health problems biokineticists work with are:

Endocrinology and metabolic disorders

• • • • Diabetes
    • • Obesity
    • • Hyperlipidemia and dyslipidemia
    • • End-stage renal disease 

Cardiovascular diseases

• • • • Myocardial infarction
    • • Revascularization of the heart
    • • Valvular heart disease
    • • Chronic heart failure
    • • Hypertension
    • • Peripheral arterial disease
    • • Pacemakers and internal cardiac defibrillators

Disease of the respiratory system

• • • • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
    • • Asthma
    • • Cystic fibrosis

Oncology and immune system

• • • • Cancer
    • • Human immunodeficiency virus

Disorders of bones and joints

• • • • Arthritis
    • • Osteoporosis
    • • Non-specific low back pain
    • • Sports injuries

Selected neuromuscular disorders

• • • • Spinal cord injury
    • • Multiple sclerosis

Special populations

• • • • Children
    • • The elderly
    • • Female-specific issues

Benefits of Physical Activity

• • • • Health benefits of physical activity
    • • Increased physical working capacity
    • • Decreased body fat
    • • Increased lean body tissue
    • • Increased bone density
    • • Lower rates of coronary heart disease and hypertension
    • • Reduction in diabetes mellitus
    • • Greater longevity
    • • Improved mental health

Fitness benefits of physical activity:

• • • • Improved cardio respiratory fitness
    • • Improved muscle strength and endurance
    • • Enhanced body composition
    • • Improved mobility and flexibility
    • • Improved core strength and stability
    • • Enhanced balance and coordination
    • • Improved overall body stability and control

Every activity performed by the human body involves movements of limbs and joints in coordinated ways to perform certain tasks and functions. Individual body segments and joints, collectively called links, must be moved in certain specific sequences to allow efficient accomplishment of the task/function. The sequencing of these links are called the kinetic chain of a specific activity. Injuries or adaptations in one or more of the links of the kinetic chain can cause problems in the body by overloading or stressing a certain area of the body. When the kinetic chain is not working smoothly it can lead to anatomical biomechanical situations that can increase injury risk, perpetuate injury patterns or decrease performance.

This is where the biokineticist play an important role. The biokineticist must be able to identify and rectify these deficits in the kinetic chain as part of the treatment and rehabilitation process.

To provide patients of all ages with individualized and specific assessment, treatment, and training programmes. Patients will receive personal (one-on-one) service and attention with an emphasis on rehabilitation, education, empowering, and total wellness of each patient. Our aim is to utilize a service system that emphasizes trust, respect, confidentiality, and compassion.

Gretha Garnett Biokineticists is a rehabilitation and wellness facility, designed to be used by the residents of Linden (Johannesburg) and the surrounding areas. It is our mission to provide the best personal service, staff, and equipment, to fully meet the various needs of our patients.

Besides providing an excellent value to our patients, Gretha Garnett Biokineticists is determined to create an unmatched atmosphere that will add to the enjoyment of every patient and employee of the facility.

Dedicated to the community, Gretha Garnett Biokineticists strives to support and sponsor community events. Our hope is that through the use of the facility, patients’ enjoyment and appreciation of their health and bodies will be enhanced.

Gretha Garnett Biokineticists will facilitate patients to condition themselves and to optimize their functionality for daily activities and for improving maximum performance in sports. We believe that a person’s body is designed to enjoy sport, fitness, wellness, and life without pain and any discomfort.

We are committed to provide quality biokinetic care and service that focuses on the overall health of each and every patient, including rehabilitation and exercise advice and assistance, continuing patient education, ergonomics training, and nutritional support. We are further committed to the philosophy that we exist for the patient and their well-being