Yolande Van Vuuren Biokineticist

07/08/2025

The Importance of Strength Training for Swimmers!!

07/08/2025

06/08/2025

Are You Taking Statins? Read This Before You Ignore That Muscle Pain

If you’re using a cholesterol medication like Atorvastatin, Simvastatin, or Rosuvastatin, you’re not alone. These statins help protect your heart by lowering your LDL or “bad” cholesterol.

But have you started feeling
• Muscle aches or fatigue
• Low energy when trying to exercise
• Like you’re just not yourself since starting treatment

Here’s the good news. You don’t have to choose between your heart and your muscles.
A Biokineticist can help you manage these side effects safely and effectively without stopping your medication.

What Can a Biokineticist Do for You

As a clinical exercise specialist, your Biokineticist can
• Guide you through safe and supervised strength and cardio sessions
• Help reduce muscle discomfort linked to statin use
• Support your heart health with targeted fitness plans
• Improve your blood sugar control especially if you’re at risk for diabetes
• Get you moving again even if you’ve been sedentary for years

Did You Know

Statins are incredibly effective but some people do experience side effects like muscle pain or weakness. That doesn’t mean you have to stop taking them. It means your care team needs to work with your body not against it.

That’s where Biokinetics comes in.

Doctors and Pharmacists – Let’s Work Together

If you have patients on statins who are
• Complaining of muscle related side effects
• Struggling with exercise or fatigue
• At risk for diabetes or already managing metabolic conditions

Consider referring them to a Biokineticist as part of their care team.
Exercise therapy helps patients stay on their medications reduce risk and regain confidence in their bodies.

05/08/2025

Why is swimming good for asthma?

Swimming is often recommended for people with asthma because it combines several asthma‑friendly benefits:

1. Warm, moist air is easier on the lungs
2. Controlled breathing strengthens respiratory muscles
3. Low‑impact exercise with full‑body engagement
4. Reduced allergen exposure
5. Gradual aerobic conditioning

In summary, swimming is often one of the best exercises for people with asthma.
However, it’s always important to consult with a healthcare provider or biokineticist to tailor an exercise plan that suits individual needs and asthma severity.

04/08/2025

Understanding Whiplash and How a Biokineticist Can Help You Recover

What is Whiplash?

Whiplash is an injury to your neck caused by a sudden jerking movement, often from car accidents or sports injuries. It can make your neck sore, stiff, and sometimes cause headaches or dizziness.

How Can a Biokineticist Help?

A Biokineticist is a specialist who helps you get better through carefully planned exercises and movement techniques. They will:

Check your neck and body to see how the injury affects you.

Create a personalized exercise program to make your neck stronger and more flexible.

Help reduce your pain and improve your neck movement safely.

Teach you how to protect your neck during daily activities and work.

Monitor your progress and adjust your exercises as you get better.

Why Is This Important?

If whiplash is not treated properly, it can cause long-lasting pain and problems. Working with a Biokineticist helps you heal faster and get back to your normal life with less pain and better movement.

03/08/2025

🫁 Exercise for Lung Disease under
the Guidance of a Biokineticist:

✅ Why Exercise Is Important for Lung Conditions:

Whether you’re living with COPD, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, long COVID, or another lung disease, regular exercise can:

✅ Improve your breathing capacity

✅ Strengthen your respiratory muscles

✅ Increase your energy levels

✅ Reduce shortness of breath

✅ Boost your immune system and mood

👩‍⚕️ Why Work with a Biokineticist?

A Biokineticist is a healthcare professional who specializes in clinical exercise therapy. They provide safe, personalized exercise programs tailored to your medical condition.

With their help, you can:

Exercise safely with close monitoring

Learn proper breathing techniques

Improve your fitness without strain

Manage symptoms and regain confidence

Track your oxygen saturation and heart rate

💪 What Type of Exercises Are Included?

Your Biokineticist will create a plan that may include:

🏃‍♂️ Aerobic training (walking, cycling, water aerobics)

🫁 Breathing exercises (diaphragmatic, pursed-lip breathing)

🏋️ Resistance/strength training

🤸 Stretching and posture work

🧠 Education on pacing and recovery

🛡️ Safe & Effective

All sessions are:

Based on your lung function & fitness level

Monitored for oxygen levels, heart rate, and symptoms

Adjusted to prevent overexertion or breathlessness

Coordinated with your doctor or pulmonary specialist if needed

🌿 Breathe Better. Move Better. Live Better.

Talk to your Biokineticist today about starting a pulmonary rehabilitation exercise program tailored to YOU.

01/08/2025

🧠💪 PAIN DURING EXERCISE: GOOD or BAD? 🤔🔥

We’ve all heard it — “No pain, no gain!” — but is that really true? 😬

Let’s set the record straight 👇

✅ Muscle burn while working out? That’s usually a good sign you’re challenging your body!
❌ Sharp, stabbing, or lingering pain? 🚫 That’s your body saying “Something’s wrong!”
✅ Mild soreness a day later? Normal! (Hello, DOMS 😅)
❌ Pain that gets worse with movement or doesn’t go away? Let’s check it out ASAP.

👉 Your body speaks — a biokineticist helps you listen 👂

💡 Not sure what your pain means? Book a movement assessment with us and keep training smart!

📍Yolande van Vuuren Biokinetics
📞 071 527 3990
📩 biokinetics.vanvuuren@gmail.com

31/07/2025

Flat feet (also called pes planus or fallen arches) occur when the arches on the inside of the feet flatten out, allowing the entire sole to touch the ground when standing.
✅ Causes
• Genetics (inherited from parents)
• Weak or torn tendons
• Injury or trauma
• Arthritis
• Obesity
• Aging
• Conditions like cerebral palsy or spina bifida (in children)
🔍 Symptoms
• Foot pain, especially in the heel or arch
• Swelling along the inside of the ankle
• Tired, achy feet after standing or walking
• Ankle or lower leg pain
• Shoes wearing out unevenly
🦶 Types
• Flexible Flat Feet – arches appear when not weight-bearing (most common in children).
• Rigid Flat Feet – arches are always flat, even when off the ground.
• Acquired Flat Feet – usually in adults due to posterior tibial tendon dysfunction.
🧪 Diagnosis
• Physical exam (observe standing and walking)
• Footprint test
• X-rays, MRI, or CT scans (if needed)
🏃‍♂️ Treatment Options
Mild/Asymptomatic Cases:
• Often need no treatment
• Supportive shoes
Symptomatic or Severe Cases:
• Orthotic insoles or arch supports
• Stretching and strengthening exercises
• Weight loss (if applicable)
• Physical therapy
• Anti-inflammatory medications (if painful)
• Surgery (only if conservative measures fail)

30/07/2025

🦶 ABNORMAL GAIT PATTERNS: What Your Walk Might Be Telling You 🧠

As a Biokineticist, I often say: “The way you walk is a reflection of how your body is functioning.”

This image is a brilliant summary of common abnormal gait patterns and each one can tell us something important about what’s happening underneath the surface.

👣 Examples of what we see:
• Antalgic Gait – Limping to avoid pain (often from injury or arthritis)
• Trendelenburg Gait – Pelvis dropping to one side (usually from weak glutes)
• Hemiplegic or Circumduction Gait – Often seen after a stroke or when one leg is stiff
• Scissor Gait – Legs crossing over due to muscle spasticity (e.g. in cerebral palsy)
• Parkinsonian Gait – Shuffling steps with less arm swing (seen in Parkinson’s disease)
• Waddling or Ataxic Gait – Wide steps and side-to-side movement from muscle weakness
• Equinus Gait – Walking on toes, no heel contact (commonly seen in spasticity)
• And many more…

🚨 These aren’t just “funny walks” — they often signal:
• Stroke recovery complications
• Hip or knee surgery after-effects
• Muscle imbalances
• Neurological conditions like Parkinson’s or MS
• Childhood developmental delays
• Or simply years of incorrect movement patterns

💡 This is where Biokinetics can help.

With proper gait assessment and a structured movement plan, we:
✅ Improve walking patterns
✅ Reduce fall risk
✅ Build strength and stability
✅ Support recovery after injury or surgery
✅ Restore functional independence

📌 If you or a loved one has an unusual walking pattern, trips or falls often, or struggles with leg stiffness or muscle weakness it’s worth getting assessed.

📩 Drop me a message or comment below if you’d like to chat about a personalized gait rehab plan.

Your movement matters. Let’s make every step stronger.

29/07/2025

Good to know;

The Evolution of a Bruise - What those colours actually mean.
Bruises don't just change colour for no reason - each stage reflects a chemical breakdown happening beneath the skin.

Stage 1 (0-2 hrs): Fresh trauma causes capillary rupture →
red, swollen, and warm.

Stage 2 (1-2 days): Blood loses oxygen → turns dark
purple/blue.

Stage 3 (3-5 days): Haemoglobin breaks into biliverdin →
greenish tones emerge.

Stage 4 (5-7 days): Biliverdin becomes bilirubin → yellow-
brown fade.

Stage 5 (1-2 weeks): Pigments reabsorbed → bruise clears.

29/07/2025

The Importance of Resistance Training with a Biokineticist:

Resistance training is a cornerstone of physical health, but doing it under the guidance of a Biokineticist offers several unique and valuable benefits, especially for people recovering from injuries, managing chronic conditions, or looking to enhance functional movement safely and effectively.

1. Injury Prevention and Recovery

A Biokineticist is trained to identify muscle imbalances, poor posture, and incorrect movement patterns that could lead to injury. They tailor resistance training programs to:

Strengthen weakened muscles

Correct biomechanical issues

Restore proper movement after injury or surgery

2. Personalized Programming

Unlike generic gym workouts, resistance training with a Biokineticist is individualized. Your program is based on:

Your current physical condition

Past injuries

Lifestyle and goals

Any medical conditions (e.g., arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes)

3. Safe Progression

They ensure that you build strength gradually and safely:

Using proper technique

Controlling volume and intensity

Monitoring your body’s response to exercise

This reduces the risk of overtraining or re-injury.

4. Improved Function and Mobility

Functional resistance training focuses on real-life movement patterns. A Biokineticist incorporates exercises that:

Improve joint stability

Increase range of motion

Enhance balance and coordination
This is especially helpful for older adults, post-op patients, or those with chronic pain.

5. Rehabilitation and Chronic Disease Management

Biokineticists are clinical exercise specialists. They use resistance training to:

Aid recovery from orthopedic surgery (e.g., ACL repair, joint replacement)

Manage conditions like lower back pain, hypertension, diabetes, etc.

Help reduce medication dependence in some chronic cases

6. Long-Term Health and Performance

With consistent guidance:

You develop lifelong exercise habits

Your muscular endurance and strength improve

You reduce the risk of falls, fractures, and general deconditioning

Resistance training is not just about building muscle, it’s about restoring, maintaining, and enhancing quality of life. When done under the supervision of a Biokineticist, it becomes a powerful, science-based tool for recovery, prevention, and long-term health.

28/07/2025

Prehab (preoperative rehabilitation) exercise is very important before a knee replacement for several key reasons:

1. Strengthens Muscles Around the Knee

Stronger muscles (especially the quadriceps and hamstrings) provide better support for the knee joint.

This leads to improved mobility and faster recovery after surgery.

2. Improves Joint Flexibility

Maintaining or improving the knee’s range of motion before surgery helps prevent stiffness afterward.

Patients who start with better flexibility tend to regain function more quickly.

3. Faster Recovery After Surgery

Patients who go into surgery stronger and fitter usually experience:

Shorter hospital stays

Faster return to walking and daily activities

Better long-term outcomes

4. Reduces Postoperative Pain

Prehab can reduce inflammation and improve circulation, which helps control pain both before and after the surgery.

5. Builds Confidence and Mental Preparedness

Being physically active before surgery can reduce anxiety and help patients feel more in control of their recovery process.

6. Improves Overall Health

Exercise helps with weight management, cardiovascular fitness, and blood sugar control—all important for reducing surgical complications.