What is Kinesitherapy?
It is a specialization of massage therapy which utilizes the study of movement to work on biomechanical imbalances. The word 'kine' comes from the word kinesis which means movement; combined with massage therapy truly makes it movement-therapy.
Kinesitherapy uses a range of techniques such as manual massage done without oil, known as Fasciatherapy. Working on the layers of fascia without oil prevents gliding and sliding, really allowing the layers of fascia to be receptive to the applied pressure from the practitioner, and the pressure doesn't necessarily have to be intense like a deep tissue massage, instead finding ease into depth. As structural integration specialist Ida P. Rolf says:
"It's not how deep you go, it's how you go deep."
Furthermore, muscular assessments, specific range of motion testing and a postural analysis are conducted during the initial intake, all of which help guide the plan of intervention for the masso-kinesitherapist.
Other techniques such as joint mobilizations are also applied and they play a big role for the receiver. If you are a bodyworker, using this approach with your clients will be therapeutic and preventive. Creating space and relieving impingements between articulations through mobilizations can ensure that the work you did on the soft tissue will remain.
Performing mobilizations can also maintain the body's balanced biomechanics of your client, including between sessions, while they are no longer with you. Along with a few recommended exercises and stretches they can do as homework (or should I say bodywork?!).
What is the difference between Kinesitherapy and Physiotherapy?
As explained above, kinesitherapy is still a massage but combined with specific assessments to facilitate proper anatomical alignments to promote pain relief. Physiotherapy uses exercises, heat/ice, electrotherapy and mobilizations to promote pain relief. It is also used more often, if not immediately, for rehabilitation after surgeries, accidents or other traumas. Physiotherapy is physical therapy that aims to help strengthen the body back to health. Both therapies have an effect on the muscles, tendons and ligaments for physical as well as mental well-being.
What is a postural analysis?
A postural analysis can be performed standing, sitting or lying down as these are all different types of postures themselves- active and passive. A kinesitherapist will analyze their client through the alignments and symmetries of structures in the body against gravity when standing and sitting, or passive when the person is lying down. The passive postural analysis can be done during assessment and planning the intervention, or it can go further by asking your client about their sleep posture. Knowing if one sleeps on their back, side, or stomach can give insight as to how their bodies torque and compensate to maintain a comfortable position.
Attitudes and habits define posture, so by putting yourself in their position you may get a clearer understanding of their restrictions or openings in the body and therefore executing a more concise overall massage.
A postural analysis can determine so many dysfunctions in the body; the prefix 'dys'- stands for difficulty. Difficulty to function in a section of the body can lead to pain, inflammation, stiffness, tingling and many other symptoms. The types of structural dys-functions the body can have are numerous, such as upslips in the hips, hyperkyphosis, hyperlordosis, hyperextended joints, locked facet joints, lines of pull in the fascia, skin color/texture and the list goes on. Once any of these imbalances are determined, along with an explanation of symptoms, the kinesitherapist can can better find the cause and release tension for long-term relief.
Overall benefits of Kinesitherapy
This wonderful combination of visual and practical assessments before the massage has a great number of benefits for the body and mind, including pain and stress relief, but more specifically:
Increases range of motion in joint articulations
Helps correct postural habits
Aims to achieve balance in muscle strength and flexibility
Promotes a more supple fascia system
Decreases muscular tension
Masso-kinesitherapy is so effective, I feel it should be talked about more. Granted I may be biased since I am a masso-kinesitherapist myself, however this method, along with other structural integration methods, have been proven to work time and time again for long-lasting pain relief. I can say that with utmost confidence heading into 20 years in my field.
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