The Rehab Collective is a collaborative healing space that offers patient focused holistic treatment
What is Biokinetics?
BIO + KINETICS = LIFE + MOVEMENT = LIFE THROUGH MOVEMENT
Biokinetics is the Science of Movement and the application of exercise in rehabilitative treatment of injury and performance. As Biokineticists we believe movement is medicine… by moving well we can reduce risk of injury and improve quality of life.
The primary function of a biokineticist is to improve physical functioning and health care through exercise as a modality. In addition Biokineticists also focus on health promotion, the maintenance of physical abilities and pre/ post operative final phase rehabilitation.
Biokineticists are clinical exercise specialists who are registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa
Giulia Muto
Giulia obtained her (BSc)Hons in Biokinetics in 2009. Other courses obtained over the years include CPR, Sport Massage, Sports Strapping, Mat Pilates and most recently level one Neurokonetic therapy.
Having a more than a decade in the Biokinetics profession, Giulia believes in a holistic approach to rehab and loves helping people improve their health and achieve their goals.
While her main focus is orthopaedic rehab, injury prevention and postural correction, she also enjoys working with patients who suffer from chronic diseases or have cardiac or neurological disorders. She loves working with a variety of people from the weekend warrior, elite athletes to children and the elderly.
Giulia has her Protea colours in Powerlifting and is a keen Olympic Weightlifter. As an athlete herself, she knows first hand the importance of Biokinetics in injury prevention and the journey of recovery back from injury.
Gabriella Memoli
Gabriella completed her undergraduate degree in Sport Management at UJ in 2018. She then received her honours specialising in Biokinetics from Wits in 2019 followed by a year on internship. During her studies, Gabriella was a learn-to-swim instructor for 3 years teaching all age groups and levels.
Gabriella has completed her level 2 First aid and CPR, learn-to-swim (LTS) instructor and Fit4two instructor course as well as pilates instructor course.
Gabriella enjoys working with pre- and post-natal moms, elderly and chronic diseases. She has a special interest in treating moms and providing them with the ample care to assist them in their pregnancy and post partum journeys.
Gabriella’s passion for biokinetics lies in her passion for people – seeing them heal through movement, helping them strengthen holistically and holding their hand throughout the entire process.
Kelly Donaldson
Kelly, is a compassionate and dedicated biokineticist. She obtained both her undergraduate and BSc Honours degrees in Biokinetics from the University of Pretoria. Drawing from her own journey of overcoming a torn ACL, she brings a unique understanding and empathy to those seeking rehabilitation and recovery support.
With a passion for orthopaedics, Kelly works with clients of all ages to regain strength, mobility, and confidence following injuries or surgeries. She enjoys working with children and adolescents, guiding them on their journey to developing healthy movement patterns. As part of her rehabilitation programs, Kelly offers mat-work Pilates, leveraging its benefits for improving core strength, flexibility, and posture.
Kelly prides herself in staying abreast of the latest advancements in the field, continually expanding her knowledge and skill set. Her approach is rooted in evidence-based practices and personalised care, with a commitment to empowering clients to achieve their health goals.
What is Respiratory physiotherapy?
Most people know what physiotherapy is, but few have heard of respiratory physiotherapy. In its simplest terms it is physiotherapy for all things lungs and heart. Respiratory physiotherapists are medically trained and licenced practitioners who work with people with a variety of cardiorespiratory conditions.
Many people would have experienced working with a respiratory physiotherapist in hospital after major surgery, a stay in intensive care (ICU) or a severe chest infection, as they play a significant role in hospital rehabilitation and recovery. Some may have even been treated outside of the hospital, for conditions such as repeated chest infections, asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) to help improve quality of life.
Many respiratory physiotherapists in outpatient setting offer services which include lung (pulmonary) rehabilitation, cardiac rehabilitation, and treatments to overcome chronic cough and excess mucus trapped in the lungs.
Most people are not aware of the important role that respiratory physiotherapists can play, helping people overcome breathing challenges associated with and connected to anxiety and panic, and many who complain that ‘I can’t get enough air’ – these are known as breathing pattern disorders. Respiratory physiotherapy also plays a key role in helping athletes enhance their performance through strengthening the breathing muscles.
How we breathe is so vital to how we live, yet it is so often ignored and taken for granted. It’s the first thing we do and it is the last thing we do but the quality of our breathing between those two moments determines the quality of our life. When you find it difficult to breathe nothing else matters. A respiratory physiotherapist can help you restore healthy breathing patterns, relieve shortness of breath and assist you in building a foundation for optimal health and wellbeing.
Jodi Wolmer
Jodi graduated in 2003 with a BSc(Hons) in Physiotherapy from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa. She has been practising for more than 18 years, the last 16 of them exclusively in the respiratory field.
Jodi fell in love with respiratory physiotherapy while working in the UK as a lead Respiratory physiotherapist, gaining extensive experience in both respiratory and critical care.
Jodi is certified as a Buteyko practitioner and has also completed level 1 and 2 Bradcliff breathing post graduate certification.
Upon her return to South Africa in 2012, Jodi started up her own private respiratory "Breathe Well Clinic", which, at that time was the first of its kind in Johannesburg.
Jodi runs pulmonary (lung) rehabilitation programs, works with chronic respiratory disease patients including asthma and all forms of breathing pattern disorders. She also works with those who struggle with Vocal Cord Dysfunction, sleep disorders related to breathing and athletes to improve their performance. Her patient group also includes long covid suffers and other similar chronic breathing problems. Integrating breath work in every aspect of patient care has transformed her clinical practice and enhanced her own health as well as that of her family.
"Breath is life. It is a privilege for me to be able to empower others to improve their quality of life through breathing" says Jodi. "I love my work, and I have a passion for always learning and sharing my knowledge with my patients and colleagues."
Pilates:
Pilates is an exercise technique created by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s that focuses on strengthening the body while promoting flexibility, mobility, and posture.
Benefits of Pilates:
- A refreshing mind-body workout
- Strengthen and Stabilize the Core
- Alleviate back pain
- Improve Flexibility & Posture
- Create a well-balanced conditioned body, prevent injuries and improve sport performance.
What we offer:
- Group and Individual classes (online or In-studio)
- Pregnancy Pilates (online or In-studio)
- Reformer Pilates
Sports Massage:
Sports massage refers to a hands on treatment focused on releasing soft tissue structures in order to prevent and relieve injuries that may occur after repeated strenuous physical activity or injury.
This massage technique includes deep tissue work, cross friction, trigger point, active release and stretch therapy. Both athletes and non-athletes can benefit from sports massage.
Benefits of Sports Massage:
- Increased range of motion & flexibility
- Relieves muscle tension
- Aids in injury rehabilitation
- Relaxation and stress relief
- Improve Flexibility & Posture
- Increased blood flow & circulation
- Improved circulation and lymph drainage