Who does RootHealth work with?

RootHealth works with people with chronic health conditions, athletes to increase performance/decrease injury, those exiting the care of healthcare providers, those under the care of healthcare providers, and those looking to optimize their conditioning program based on health testing and outcomes.

Do you work with rehab?

Within our scope of practice is ‘post-rehab’ and ‘prehab’. In other words, should you have an injury, a physical therapist would work on the healing post injury. After that, we will work with you on developing strength and a balanced physiology to avoid injury recurrence, which is common.

In cases where pain or other health condition is chronic rather than an acute event or surgery, we can work to develop past physiologic IMBALANCES that are the SOURCE OF injury. In some cases, an orthopedist, DO, or DPT consultant may be required first.

What is kinesiology?

“The practice of Kinesiology is the assessment of movement, performance and function and the rehabilitation, prevention and management of disorders to maintain, rehabilitate or enhance movement, performance and function, in the areas of sport, recreation, work, exercise, health management, and activities of daily living.” -British Columbia Association of Kinesiologists (BCAK)

Kinesiology is the science and precision application of exercise, nutrition, and environmental demands on the adaptation of human anatomy and physiology to enhance athletic performance, health, well-being, and activities of daily living.-Jason Root

What is a kinesiologist?

A kinesiologist works where the fields of healthcare, fitness, education, and sports performance meet. A kinesiologist is a specialist in the study and application of movement science who utilizes this specialization for sport and functional performance as well as treating physiological imbalances that cause chronic health conditions and injury. 

There are a few types of kinesiology careers (similar to how ‘psychologists’ and lawyers differ in their specialties). Examples are: strength and conditioning coach, exercise physiologist, chiropractors, physical therapist, occupational therapist, athletic trainer, and recreational therapist. Each of these has their own set of licenses and occupational criteria. But, ALL will have at least an undergraduate degree in kinesiology or exercise science along with upper level education and certifications in strength and conditioning and special populations/injury/health care.

Some kinesiologists work in a closed academic setting for purposes of research and teaching in exercise science. Many may also have multiple roles or that of a general kinesiologist with expertise in many of these occupations. Personally, you can check out where I fall in this definition under ‘about: Jason Root’ (https://www.rh2ps.com/jason-root).

There is also a related specialization called Applied Kinesiology that deals with acupressure and eastern medicine energy techniques. 

What is ‘Foundational’ physical conditioning?

Foundational Physical Conditioning is an approach and philisophy to physical development that prioritizes balanced health, injury resilience, mobility, and your body's ability to recover from stress as the primary objectives underlying all other goals.

When working with ‘foundational’ conditioning, instead of some of the more traditional approaches of fitness, one will utilize techniques that more resemble those from field athletics, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and even the arts than those from the gym. This doesn’t mean we don’t like weights and treadmills. We just see better long term outcomes from this approach. Of course this is used along with the most important ingredient…….an educated analytic interpretation of a person’s current condition along with their needs and goals.

What is ‘Medically Oriented’ physical conditioning?

‘Medically Oriented’ means: a) we follow the same process as the medical industry….gather information > assess/diagnose > prognose > apply intervention > reassess; b) our tools for assessing your condition are meant to be used and evaluated by medical personnel. We want your fitness to be connected with your medical care as much as possible. c) the techniques we use are prescriptive and precise. We don’t want you spending more time and effort than is necessary and we do not want you over-training.

Is this ‘personal training’?

Well, that’s yes and no.  A ‘personal trainer’ really is anyone who coaches (trains) a person individually (personal) in any human movement.  The spectrum of professionals that meets that definition can go from a ballet teacher to a strength coach to a physical therapist.  The difference is education, philosophy, approach, and scope of practice.  In all of these ways, we differ from the type of personal trainers you may typically see in a gym. 

In my experience, trainers in gyms commonly approach development though workouts rather than programs or systems, aesthetics rather than function, have minimal education/experience, are trained primarily as sales people, and teach from a singular learned paradigm rather than true understanding of kinesiology or the functional mechanics of the individual.

Any trainer that works within our system and I are not only certified and educated with years of experience (far beyond the minimal certification of the personal trainer career) but have also been through the same program of development as our clients.

What other options than ‘studio’ training are there?

While ‘at home’ training is a premium service, it can be the most pragmatic and beneficial environment in which to develop depending on your situation. The savings on time from driving can be a benefit that offsets the cost of the service. So, yes, it is available.

Online/digital/remote training is becoming a large of our business due to the high time and stress demand of CA traffic as well as promoting a more independent application of our coaching. As well, this is how we work with the rest of you folks who live outside of the Orange County area. Check out the digital training page under the ‘services’ tab!

Really the most effective approach is to mix these (hybrid approach). There are certain elements that are better done in the studio and remote training makes you independent and keeps you accountable. For some, home sessions can help with knowing how to train in your own environment with your own resources….as well as staying out of traffic!

What sports do you do?

Nowadays, I mostly participate in ‘fitness’ sports like obstacle course racing, powerlifting, and triathlon (though, that is because of practicality not preference). I have competed in the throwing, jumping, and sprinting track and field events, football, basketball, and baseball as youth. I actually prefer practicing varieties of martial arts for sport along with recreational sports like surfing, snowboarding, and water skiing. So….pretty much anything you throw at me I am down for!