The Science of Human Movement
Kinesiotherapy Promotes Exercise, Muscle Re-education

During World War II, special medical units were established to hasten the return of urgently needed troops to active duty following injury. Corrective therapists became a part of the U.S. Armed Forces’ rehabilitation effort, and regularly worked with soldiers to recondition muscles and rehabilitate injuries.

Springing out of this movement is a service provided today at the VA Medical Center called kinesiotherapy – corrective, exercise therapy.

In 1987, corrective therapy was renamed kinesiotherapy to better reflect its therapeutic exercise role.

Kinesiotherapists at the Houston VA Medical Center hold baccalaureate degrees from accredited universities and must successfully complete a national certification examination to become registered with the American Kinesiotherapy Association.

Exercise and muscle re-education are the treatment methods used. These therapists utilize kinesiology, the study of human movement, to design and implement exercise programs to meet the rehabilitative needs of veterans with disease or injury. Kinesiotherapists work with the patient to maximize their strength, coordination, and range of motion and mobility such as bed mobility, transfers, wheelchair mobility, and gait. In addition, therapists educate veterans, their family members and caregivers about their disabilities and appropriate exercises in order to achieve the highest degree of independence and personal satisfaction.

Houston VA Medical Center kinesiotherapists provide rehabilitation services in cardiac rehabilitation, aquatic therapy, driver rehabilitation, spinal cord injury, transitional care, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, and home care.

E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu
URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/08_15_02/page_19.html