Kinesiotherapy Celebrates 75 Years

WASHINGTON, October 26, 2021 (Newswire.com) - Kinesiotherapy, one of the oldest therapeutic disciplines, announces the celebration of its 75th anniversary year as a profession. 

Founded in 1946 on the battlefield of WWII, Kinesiotherapy (formerly Corrective Therapy) was created by U.S. Surgeon General Major Norman T. Kirk and Dr. Howard Rusk, early pioneers in the emerging field of rehabilitation medicine. With the increased survival of troops suffering from illness or injury, there was a great demand to return soldiers to active duty. Corrective physical reconditioning units were established to enhance this process.

The American Kinesiotherapy Association (AKTA), formerly the Association of Physical and Mental Rehabilitation, was created to support the rehabilitative services of Registered Kinesiotherapists (RKT) while promoting the health and wellness of all populations including Veterans and individuals with functional limitations.

"Kinesiotherapy is unlike any other medical fitness or therapeutic discipline because it encompasses the whole body," said Kendall Noble, president-elect of the AKTA. "RKT's are educated and trained on behavior change in addition to physical rehabilitation." Kinesiotherapists continue where traditional therapy ends - taking the client from injury or illness to whole-health." 

In September 2021, Norfolk State recognized Kinesiotherapy as one of their premier programs. In response and in recognition of 75 years of the profession of Kinesiotherapy, the AKTA  is highlighting a few of the specialties that encompass the best of their modalities. These include:

• Adaptive Sports, including working with amputees and para-Olympic athletes
• Aquatics
• Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation 
• Orthopedics
• Neurology

The foundation of Kinesiotherapy is in the administration of musculoskeletal, neurological, ergonomic, biomechanical, psychosocial and task-specific functional tests, culminating in behavioral and physical modifications. Registered Kinesiotherapist (RKT) Aaron Mattes, who has worked on professional athletes from almost every sport around the globe, founder of the Mattes Method and author of the book Active Isolated Stretching, said, "The longevity of the profession comes from keeping high academic standards to maintain the credibility of Kinesiotherapy." When asked the secret to his success he said, "You have to get to know the individuals who come to you - invest in them. Find the point of motivation for them. We can help but first, we have to give them hope."

Dr. Timothy Silver, former Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at McGuire Veterans Affairs Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, said, "Having an exercise physiology background makes Kinesiotherapists (RKT) well suited for additional sub-specialization in many areas. We have RKTs who provide cardiac and pulmonary rehab, aquatic therapy, driver training, and functional capacity evaluations. The versatile nature of Kinesiotherapists makes them well suited for interdisciplinary patient care."

The American Kinesiotherapy Association is a nonprofit, member-based organization committed to the support of all Registered Kinesiotherapists across the country. To learn more visit www.akta.org.

Contact:

Kathy Camp 

AKTA Executive Director

[email protected]

Source: American Kinesiotherapy Association