Read our kineFES testimonials

What does it mean to be a kineFES? Many kinesiologists are partnering with TrainFES to counsel patients with various mobility problems such as spinal cord injury, stroke and cerebral palsy. A kineFES is defined as a professional who is passionate about rehabilitation, who wants to help his or her patient with the best technology.

We interviewed four of them to share their experience, main motivations and the importance of the use of technology in rehabilitation.

Kinesiologist Constanza Soto, Dipl. Clinical Neuroscience and NeuroRH - U. Chile, MG(c). Neurorehabilitation - UNAB Adult Neurorehabilitation

Kinesiologist Víctor Hernández, Neurorehabilitation for Adults and Infants

Kinesióloga Evelyn Rubio, Neurorehabilitation Integral Adult and Infant

Kinesiologist Paulina Benavente, Ms. Rehabilitation Counselling - U. of Sydney Adult Neurorehabilitation

The kineFES program

Our kinesiologists have come to work with TrainFES systems through various means. From publications on social networks and referrals from other kinesiologists to direct conversations with TrainFES partners to learn in detail the vision and motivations of the company. After this first approach, they must complete a certification to enter the program, which consists of an online course and accompaniment from a more experienced tutor during the first weeks of the program. Regardless of the means of contact, socio-cultural context or location, all of them have gone through this program with a single objective: to help people both in Chile and abroad to exploit their best potential. 

Main motivations 

Paulina Benavente, kinesiologist U. of Chile, MG(c). Rehabilitation Counselling U. of Sydney and CIF Instructor, explains that one of her main motivations for using TrainFES neurorehabilitation is the possibility of giving people more independence and constancy. "I am motivated by being able to provide my patients with the most complete and continuous rehabilitation possible, as well as empowering them to be the protagonists of their own rehabilitation process. We have to consider the users as allies and work together so that the motivation of each one of them allows a good adherence to the training provided by FES. Their commitment and perseverance will guide them and allow them to achieve the goals we have agreed upon together".

Likewise, from the professional point of view, it is an incentive to continue learning and incorporating new models of care that respond to the needs of users. This has been accentuated in the current context, in which the use of technology and telerehabilitation has become so important to maintain therapeutic continuity.

For Constanza Soto, Dipl. Clinical Neuroscience U. of Chile and MG(c). MG(c). Neurorehabilitation UNAB, the motivation was born in a similar way: wanting to provide a tool that is a plus in the rehabilitation process and empower the user in his rehabilitation. "Through a technology validated with scientific evidence, we can tell the patient if in his case it is feasible to generate changes and if so, how he can use the system on his own and not only in the presence of the therapist, which generates even more benefits.

Something similar happens with kinesiologist Evelyn Rubio, a specialist in Integral Adult and Child Neurorehabilitation, who emphasizes her need to be at the forefront of neurorehabilitation technology.

In the case of kinesiologist Victor Hernandez, specialist in Adult and Child Neurorehabilitation, his main driving force is the desire to improve the daily life of patients, quality of life and basic condition.

Use of technology

For Paulina Benavente, the use of technology in rehabilitation, and in particular functional electrostimulation, allows users to access muscle training and training loads that would be difficult to achieve without devices. "This level of training and its continuity, allows to maintain the benefits of rehabilitation once they have reached a plateau or even achieve goals that would not be feasible within a traditional rehabilitation care. This is because accessibility and the time it takes for a session or a cycle of treatment are often not enough."

Constanza Soto believes that as professionals they must be able to use technology to their advantage, as an ally to do their job. "Our reasoning and knowledge is not replaced. In fact, these technologies are an assistance in the rehabilitation process.. Just as has happened with telerehabilitation, we must adapt, look beyond and not make patients dependent on us, but empower them."

For his part, Víctor Hernández stresses the importance of using tools to accelerate and improve the rehabilitation process of each user. "They all have different needs, but technology is useful to unify them and contribute to their daily life activities."

Evelyn Rubio adds that technology is the way to advance neurorehabilitation at a different pace. "With its good use it is proven to activate neuroplasticity at a higher level."

What a kineFES looks like

Undoubtedly, the kineFES have characteristics that make them stand out from other professionals. In addition to their commitment, they have innovative mindsets that are always looking for new ways to do their work better. 

To the question "What do you think differentiates you from other kinesiologists?", our kineFES answer the following:

Paulina Benavente: "I am a kinesiologist with great motivation to face the integral challenge presented by my patients. Both for my professional training and personal vocation, I am interested in providing care focused on the unique needs of each person, considering their individual and contextual characteristics. I see patients beyond the disability they may present. I see them as people who always have a strength and a potential for rehabilitation that can be approached and enhanced from different perspectives".

Victor Hernandez: "I stand out for the trust I develop with users. I also generate a therapist-patient bond in order to advance in the different stages of their rehabilitation. I am very creative and eager to experiment with new alternatives with each of them, thus facilitating their attachment to the rehabilitation process".

Constanza Soto: "I think what sets me apart is the ability to empathize with my users. I always think that whoever is there may be a family member or even myself and I would always like them to give their best, to try to do their best to move forward, to rehabilitate with evidence, study, experience and human quality. Many times the system generates that our profession becomes automated. In my case, I try not to let that absorb me and I try to always keep myself updated on what is best for our users".

Evelyn Rubio: "I am characterized by my fusion of science and technology, with the integrative approach to rehabilitation. Today I can say that I am the only integrative neurokinesiologist who, in addition to the motor component, rehabilitates with CAM (complementary and/or alternative therapies)".

Experience with TrainFES

In the time she has been working with the program, Paulina believes that this therapeutic tool has broadened and strengthened the care she can provide to her patients. "TrainFES is made up of a group of people of great professional and human quality, with an innovative vision and collaborative spirit, who value and support the development of its members and who also have a genuine vocation to contribute to the rehabilitation of patients from an integral perspective," she adds. Along the same lines, Evelyn highlights the practical experience she had with her tutor when she was in training.

In turn, Constanza explains that she likes that it is a company that does not get patients' hopes up. "They are given an initial assessment, educated and empowered. If there is a possibility that this technology - in conjunction with regular rehabilitation - will allow further progress, it is done. It's a high-level technology at a more affordable cost. It is not only used in private healthcare entities, but also at the public level.

Victor remarks the variability of patients they can help with the system and the communication with the team. "Together we seek to provide solutions to the different needs of each user." 

Conclusion

Now that you know what kineFES is like and the experience they have had with this work system, do you want to be one of the team? To sign up click here.