Joanita Smit Biokineticist

Joanita Smit Biokineticist JS Bio works on orthopedic and clinical rehabilitation, with a focus on individual sessions.

Whether your goal is less pain, more strength, better mobility or improved fitness, measuring matters.In health and reha...
09/03/2026

Whether your goal is less pain, more strength, better mobility or improved fitness, measuring matters.

In health and rehabilitation, progress isn’t always just about “feeling better”, although that can be a large part of it. It’s about objective change.

Research shows that:
📊 People who track their physical activity are significantly more likely to meet exercise guidelines compared to those who don’t.
📊 Self-monitoring (tracking weight, steps, workouts or food intake) can double the likelihood of achieving weight loss goals.
📊 Using step counters or wearable trackers increases daily step count by an average of 1,800–2,500 steps per day.
📊 Structured goal setting with measurable targets improves long-term adherence to exercise programmes.

Measuring works because it creates accountability, provides feedback, and shows progress (even when motivation drops). It also highlights what needs adjustment and keeps rehab specific and goal-directed.

Consult an accredited Biokineticist for a structured, measurable plan that turns goals into results.

Both a stroke and Bell’s palsy can cause sudden facial weakness, which is why they are often confused. However, they are...
24/02/2026

Both a stroke and Bell’s palsy can cause sudden facial weakness, which is why they are often confused. However, they are very different conditions with very different levels of urgency.

🔴 Stroke (Central cause)

A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is disrupted.

Facial presentation:
🔴Usually affects the lower half of the face
🔴The forehead is often spared
🔴Person can usually still wrinkle their forehead
🔴May have arm weakness, speech difficulty, confusion, or balance problems

Prevalence & demographics:
🔴 ~12 million strokes occur worldwide each year
🔴Risk increases significantly after age 55
🔴More common with high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, heart disease
🔴Stroke risk doubles approximately every 10 years after 55

Stroke = medical emergency

🔵 Bell’s Palsy (Peripheral cause)

Bell’s palsy results from inflammation or irritation of the facial nerve (CN VII).

Facial presentation:
🔵Affects entire half of the face
🔵Forehead involved
🔵Difficulty wrinkling forehead
🔵Trouble closing the eye
🔵Drooping mouth
🔵Possible changes in taste or tearing

Prevalence & demographics:
🔵Affects ~15–30 per 100,000 people per year
🔵Can occur at any age
🔵Most common between 15–45 years
🔵Slightly more common in pregnancy and individuals with viral infections
🔵Most people recover partially or fully within weeks to months

Key Clinical Clue

🟡Forehead movement

If the forehead still moves, suspect stroke
If the forehead does not move, it's likely Bell’s palsy, but never self-diagnose facial weakness.

Seek urgent help if facial drooping is sudden and accompanied by:
🟡Arm weakness
🟡Slurred speech
🟡Confusion
🟡Severe headache
🟡Loss of balance

An accredited Biokineticist can assist with appropriate rehabilitation once medical management is in place.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted, preventing brain tissue from receiving oxygen and n...
20/02/2026

A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted, preventing brain tissue from receiving oxygen and nutrients. This is a medical emergency where early recognition can be life-saving.

There are two main types of stroke, and understanding the difference matters.

Ischaemic Stroke
🔵The most common type
🔵This happens when a blood vessel supplying the brain is blocked.

Subtypes include:
🔵Thrombotic stroke – clot forms in an artery supplying the brain
🔵Embolic stroke – clot travels from elsewhere (often the heart)

🔵Accounts for ~85–87% of all strokes

Common causes:
🔵Atherosclerosis (plaque buildup)
🔵Blood clots
🔵Atrial fibrillation
🔵Cardiovascular disease

Haemorrhagic Stroke
🔴Less common, but often more severe
🔴This occurs when a blood vessel ruptures, causing bleeding in or around the brain.

Subtypes include:
🔴Intracerebral haemorrhage
🔴Subarachnoid haemorrhage

🔴Accounts for ~13–15% of strokes
🔴Responsible for a higher proportion of stroke-related deaths

Common causes:
🔴High blood pressure
🔴Aneurysm rupture
🔴Trauma
🔴Vascular abnormalities

📊 Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability worldwide
📊 Approximately 12 million strokes occur globally each year
📊 Around 5 million deaths annually are stroke-related
📊 Many survivors experience mobility, speech, balance, and cognitive impairments

Common Stroke Symptoms

Sudden onset of:
🟡Confusion
🟡Difficulty speaking or understanding
🟡Severe headache
🟡Vision changes
🟡Dizziness
🟡Numbness (often one side)
🟡Weakness
🟡Trouble walking
🟡Loss of balance

Remember: FAST
F – Face drooping
A – Arm weakness
S – Speech difficulty
T – Time to seek help

If you are recovering from a stroke, consult an accredited Biokineticist to assist with safe, individualised rehabilitation and functional recovery.

A shoulder dislocation occurs when the head of the humerus (upper arm bone) moves out of the glenoid socket.Because the ...
17/02/2026

A shoulder dislocation occurs when the head of the humerus (upper arm bone) moves out of the glenoid socket.
Because the shoulder is designed for mobility over stability, it is the most commonly dislocated joint in the body. The direction of the dislocation matters, as it influences cause, associated injuries, and management.

Anterior Shoulder Dislocation
🔵The most common type
🔵Accounts for around 90–95% of shoulder dislocations

Typical causes:
🔵Falls onto an outstretched arm
🔵Trauma during sport
🔵Forced abduction & external rotation
🔵Contact or collision injuries
🔵Common in rugby, soccer, cycling falls, gym and overhead sports.

Most affected age groups:
🔵Young adults (15–30 years), especially athletes
🔵Older adults (60+) after falls

Possible negative effects:
🔵Labral tears (Bankart lesions)
🔵Rotator cuff injuries
🔵Recurrent instability
🔵Nerve irritation

Recurrence rates can be as high as 70–90% in young athletes if not properly rehabilitated.

Posterior Shoulder Dislocation
🔴Much less common, but often missed
🔴Accounts for ~2–5% of shoulder dislocations

Typical causes:
🔴Seizures
🔴Electric shock
🔴Direct blow to the front of the shoulder
🔴High-force trauma

Most affected groups:
🔴Individuals experiencing seizures
🔴Trauma patients

Possible negative effects:
🔴Often misdiagnosed initially
🔴Reverse Bankart lesions
🔴Fractures
🔴Chronic stiffness if untreated

Regardless of type, dislocations can lead to:

🟡Joint instability
🟡Recurrent dislocations
🟡Rotator cuff damage
🟡Labral injuries
🟡Reduced strength and confidence
🟡Long-term shoulder dysfunction

Shoulder dislocations occur at a rate of roughly 20–25 per 100,000 people per year, with higher rates in contact athletes.

If you’ve experienced a shoulder dislocation or feelings of instability, consult an accredited Biokineticist for a progressive rehabilitation program.

Pronation is a natural movement of the foot that helps with shock absorption during walking and running.However, when pr...
13/02/2026

Pronation is a natural movement of the foot that helps with shock absorption during walking and running.
However, when pronation becomes excessive, the foot rolls too far inward, shifting weight toward the inside edge of the sole.

While pronation itself is normal, too much of it can change how forces travel through the foot and up the kinetic chain.

Excessive pronation may contribute to:
🦶Foot fatigue and arch strain
🦶Plantar fasciitis
🦶Achilles tendinopathy
🦶Shin splints (MTSS)
🦶Patellofemoral knee pain
🦶Tibialis posterior dysfunction
🦶Increased risk of overuse injuries

Mild pronation is extremely common and considered normal. Studies estimate that 20–30% of adults show signs of excessive pronation. Flat feet (often associated with overpronation) occur in roughly 15–25% of the population. Not everyone with pronation develops pain, symptoms depend on load, strength, mobility, and control.

Having pronated feet does not automatically mean you’ll have problems. Many people remain completely pain-free. Issues typically arise when pronation is combined with weak foot or hip stabilisers, poor load management, sudden increases in activity, reduced ankle mobility, and inappropriate footwear.

If you experience recurring foot, shin, knee, or Achilles pain, consult an accredited Biokineticist for a movement assessment and targeted strengthening program.

Healthy bone has a dense, strong internal structure, while osteoporotic bone becomes porous and fragile, making it far m...
06/02/2026

Healthy bone has a dense, strong internal structure, while osteoporotic bone becomes porous and fragile, making it far more likely to fracture, even with a minor fall or everyday movement.

Osteoporosis is often called a “silent disease” because bone loss happens gradually and without pain, until a fracture occurs.

1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 will experience an osteoporotic fracture. After menopause, women can lose up to 20% of their bone density within the first 5–7 years. The most common fracture sites are the hip, spine, and wrist. Hip fractures are particularly serious, around 20-25% of people over 50 die within a year following a hip fracture

People who are nost prone:
🔴Postmenopausal women
🔴Older adults
🔴People with a family history of osteoporosis
🔴Those with low body weight
🔴Smokers and heavy alcohol users
🔴People who are physically inactive
🔴Individuals on long-term corticosteroid medication
🔴Osteoporotic bone is dangerous because bones fracture more easily
🔴Fractures heal more slowly
🔴Increased risk of loss of independence
🔴Higher risk of long-term disability and mortality after falls

You can significantly reduce risk by:
🟢Weight-bearing exercise (walking, stair climbing, jogging)
🟢Resistance training (strength training improves bone density)
🟢Balance and coordination training to reduce falls
🟢 Adequate calcium and vitamin D intake
🟢 Avoiding smoking
🟢 Limiting excessive alcohol
🟢 Staying active throughout life, especially during youth and early adulthood when peak bone mass is built

Studies show that regular resistance training can increase or maintain bone density, even in older adults, and reduce fracture risk by up to 40%.

If you’re concerned about bone health, previous fractures, or fall risk, consult an accredited Biokineticist for a safe, personalised exercise program to support bone strength and long-term independence.

Crossing you legs or sitting on your wallet are habits that might feel harmless, but over time, they can place uneven st...
03/02/2026

Crossing you legs or sitting on your wallet are habits that might feel harmless, but over time, they can place uneven stress on your spine.

Sitting on a wallet or repeatedly crossing the same leg can lead to:
🌀Uneven hips
🌀A strained or rotated spine
🌀Uneven shoulders
🌀Altered muscle activation and posture
🌀Over time, these compensations can contribute to pain and dysfunction, even if you don’t feel symptoms straight away.

Up to 80% of people will experience low back pain at some point in their lifetime. Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Around 1 in 4 adults report back pain severe enough to limit daily activities. Prolonged sitting is strongly associated with back pain, neck pain, and headaches, especially when posture is asymmetrical

Poor sitting habits don’t usually cause pain overnight, they contribute gradually through repetitive loading and poor movement patterns.

Avoid sitting on wallets or objects, change sitting positions regularly, and keep both feet flat on the floor. Try to stand up and move every 30–45 minutes.

If you’re dealing with ongoing back pain or stiffness, consult an accredited Biokineticist to address posture, movement patterns, and strength.

What you do with your body now doesn’t just affect how you feel today, it shapes how independent, mobile, and confident ...
01/02/2026

What you do with your body now doesn’t just affect how you feel today, it shapes how independent, mobile, and confident you’ll be later in life.

When we’re younger, exercise helps build a reserve of strength, muscle mass, bone density, balance, and cardiovascular fitness. As we age, these naturally decline, but starting from a higher baseline means you lose less, slower.

Research shows that:
🟢Adults lose 3–8% of muscle mass per decade after age 30 if they don’t train
🟢After age 60, this loss accelerates significantly without resistance training
🟢People who stay physically active throughout life are 30–50% less likely to experience mobility limitations in older age
🟢This is why being able to climb stairs, get out of a chair, carry groceries, and stay independent later in life starts with how you move now.

Even if you didn’t exercise when you were younger, your body can still adapt. Studies show that:
🟩Adults in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s can significantly increase strength and balance with exercise
🟩Resistance training in older adults can improve muscle strength by up to 100% within a few months
🟩Regular physical activity reduces fall risk by 23–40%
🟩Exercise at any age lowers the risk of heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and cognitive decline
🟩Your body responds to movement at every stage of life.

If you’re unsure where to start or want a safe, age-appropriate approach, consult an accredited Biokineticist to help you build strength, confidence, and long-term independence at any age.

Pain and movement are closely linked. When pain is present, your body naturally tries to protect itself. You may move le...
23/01/2026

Pain and movement are closely linked. When pain is present, your body naturally tries to protect itself. You may move less, avoid certain positions, or compensate by using other muscles. Over time, these altered movement patterns can increase strain on joints, muscles, and tendons, leading to more pain.

On the other hand, poor movement patterns, weakness, stiffness, or limited mobility can place repeated stress on tissues, eventually triggering pain, even without a specific injury.

🔵Pain causes guarding and reduced movement
🔵Reduced movement leads to stiffness and weakness
🔵Weak or stiff tissues change how you move
🔵Altered movement increases load and irritation
🔵Pain persists or worsens
🔵This is known as the pain–movement cycle.

Pain is influenced by more than just tissue injury. Factors such as:
🔷️Reduced movement confidence
🔷️Fear of re-injury
🔷️Poor motor control
🔷️Stress and fatigue
🔷️Previous injury history
can all increase pain sensitivity, even when tissues have healed.

Studies show that up to 80–90% of people with low back pain have no clear structural cause on imaging, highlighting how strongly movement and nervous system sensitivity influence pain. Around 1 in 5 adults worldwide live with chronic musculoskeletal pain, and altered movement patterns are a major contributing factor.

Research consistently shows that graded, well-guided movement:
🟦Reduces pain sensitivity
🟦Restores normal movement patterns
🟦Improves strength and joint tolerance
🟦Reduces fear of movement
🟦Lowers the risk of chronic pain

People who stay active during recovery are up to 40% less likely to develop long-term pain compared to those who avoid movement completely.

Consult an accredited Biokineticist to receive assistance in the form of rehabilitative exercises and patient education to help manage recovery from your condition and assist with activities of daily living.

Address

Steve Biko 132
Potchefstroom
2522

Opening Hours

Monday 07:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 07:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 07:00 - 17:00
Thursday 07:00 - 17:00
Friday 07:00 - 16:00

Telephone

+27820495536

Website

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