Concerned About an Injury or Illness? See How a Kinesiologist Can Help

If you’re seeking rehabilitation from injury or disease, or if you just want to prevent injury or disease, it’s important to work with qualified individuals. Regulated health professionals have met strict requirements for entry to their profession and they are held accountable by their regulatory college for the services provided. These colleges are not schools; they are regulatory bodies that exist to protect your right to competent, safe and ethical care.

Kinesiologists are regulated health professionals who understand human movement and performance, and its rehabilitation and management. Registered kinesiologists can help you achieve realistic health goals by:

• conducting an assessment;
• developing a clear understanding of conditions impacting health; and
• prescribing exercise and other lifestyle changes to address health issues.

Kinesiologists working in Ontario are regulated by the College of Kinesiologists. The College sets and enforces standards for practice and creates registration requirements for entry to the profession so that only qualified individuals can practise kinesiology. A registered kinesiologist has completed a science-based education program offered at the university level and participates yearly in professional development to enhance their practice. These measures help protect your rights to competent, safe and ethical kinesiology services from qualified individuals.

Rehabilitation from injury or illness begins with assessment to determine impacts on movement and function. Some injuries and diseases can be prevented through training or retraining the mind and the body to better control movement, balance and understanding of your relationship with the built environment. Registered kinesiologists are competent in gait analysis, designing and implementing programs to prevent falls and injury, and designing and implementing programs to improve strength, balance, and overall movement.

Only people registered with the College can call themselves kinesiologists. Even more importantly, registered kinesiologists are accountable to the College for the services they provide to you. If you have concerns about the services you receive from a registered kinesiologist, you can contact the College and they will investigate.

Regaining strength and mobility following injury is challenging. To find a registered kinesiologist in your area, visit www.coko.ca and use the “Find a Kinesiologist” tool to verify that your practitioner is registered and in good standing.