Children and Biokinetics... Let's have some fun! - Nicole Robson (Paladin Biokineticists)

Exercise and physical activity is just as important for children as it is for adults. In today’s society the rate of obesity and overweight children is increasing at an alarming rate. This is consequently leading to an early onset of type two diabetes. Poor posture from bad sitting habits can also cause lead to problems such as muscular imbalances and therefore undue stress on certain joints.

This represents the need for physical activity and exercise. Exercise, monitored by a trained professional such as biokineticist can help manage both chronic and orthopaedic conditions in children.

Biokinetics in children is a specialised form of exercise treatment that assists in long term physical development and also improves mental and emotional well being. Using a fun form of exercise therapy, many conditions can be managed conservatively through activity and exercise.

Conditions that would benefit from Biokinetics include conditions like Autism, ADHD/ADD, low muscle tone, spina bifida, perthes disease, in-toeing and out-teoing, scheurmanns disease, scoliosis, juvenile arthritis, asthma and cystic fibrosis.

Following an assessment the Biokineticist can put together a structured and monitored exercise programme, with the correct and necessary progression based on the child's needs.

In general it is important to develop good lifestyle habits from an early age.

Physical activity, monitored specifically by a biokineticist has a variety of benefits such as:

·         The development of a healthy heart and lungs

·         Increased flexibility

·         Improved balance

·         Enhanced co-ordination

·         Muscle imbalance corrections

·         Postural correction

·         Development of strong bones

·         Weight management

·         decrease  risk of certain diseases

·         improved mood and self-esteem

Early intervention not only slows progression of certain conditions but also helps maintain and prevent further problems in the future.

Scoliosis... we've got your back! - Melissa Biffi (Paladin Biokineticists)

What is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is an abnormal, curvature of the spine.  Viewed from the back, a typical spine is straight. When scoliosis occurs the spine can curve in two different ways, the spine can curve to one side, either the left or right side (shaped like a C) or the spine has two curves (shaped like the letter S) normally occurring at the cervical and lumbar spine region.

There are two types of scoliosis. Structural scoliosis which is characterised by permanent structural changes in the bone and usually caused by congenital abnormalities. Non-structural or functional scoliosis is generally caused by a problem elsewhere in the body, such as a leg length discrepancy or muscle spasm. 70-90% of all cases are idiopathic (unknown). Idiopathic scoliosis can be seen at any age, but is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 10 and 13 years, and is more common in females. Degenerative scoliosis is more likely to develop in adults, where degeneration in the spine and surrounding musculature can result in abnormal curvature. 

How do you know you might have scoliosis?

The most common symptom of scoliosis is an abnormal curve of the spine. Often this is a mild change and may be first noticed by friends or family. The change in the curve of the spine typically occurs very slowly and over a long period of time and so it is easy to miss until it becomes more severe. Pain is a symptom of scoliosis .When back pain is present with scoliosis; it may be because the curve in the spine is causing stress and pressure on the spinal discs, nerves, muscles, ligaments, or facet joints. It is not usually caused by the curve itself. 

Scoliosis may cause the head to appear slightly tilted to one side or one hip or shoulder to be higher than the other side and can also cause one leg to appear shorter than the other. If the scoliosis is more severe, it can make it more difficult for the heart and lungs to work properly as severe scoliosis can cause a rotation of the rib cage, which will cause shortness of breath.

How can Biokinetics help scoliosis?

Mild cases of scoliosis generally have minimal deformity. Such cases can therefore be treated with appropriate stretching and strenghening exercises. A biokineticist will assess what functional aspects may be contributing to the scoliosis, so that appropriate stretching and strengthening exercises can then be prescribed to manage the  scoliosis and prevent further deterioration.

Biokineticists can prevent the progression of curvatures in adolescents with scoliosis and in some cases even improve their curvature. Biokinetics will focus on prescribing a specific individualised exercise regimen according to the need of each person. The program will consist of isometric and other muscle strengthening and stretching exercises in order to strengthen the spine causing it to straighten out. Treatment will also focus on posture correction and stabilising the corrected muscles so that posture will be improved in activities of daily living. It is very important that the correct exercises be prescribed and done obediently, as incorrect exercises; a lack of effective management of the scoliosis and to poor compliance of the individual can lead to progression of the curvature. 

Melissa Biffi obtained her BCom Sports Management Degree at the University of Johannesburg and completed her Honours in Biokinetics at the University of Witwatersrand.

She has a special interest in dancing and other sports such as soccer and hockey, which lead to her interest in orthopaedic rehabilitation, particularly knee rehabilitation.

Melissa is also very passionate about working with children in specific areas such as rehabilitation and development of individuals from very young ages all the way through to adolescents.

Melissa can be contacted on 082 822 9677 or melissabiffi@kinetics.co.za