Our body parts are interconnected, and pain in one area can often originate elsewhere. By examining the entire body, Biomechnical Assessments can help diagnose and resolve associative pain and injuries.
WHAT IS BIOMECHANICAL ASSESSMENT?
Biomechanics is the name given to the area of science concerned with the analysis of mechanics of human movement. In other words, it is the science of explaining how and why the human body moves in the way that it does. Biomechanical Assessment is a useful tool which can lead us to diagnosis.
The assessment involves the examination of the lower limbs, looking at their structure, alignment, strengths and weaknesses. Your Podiatrist will also take into account your lifestyle needs and footwear.
WHY IS BIOMECHANICAL ASSESSMENT IMPORTANT?
Rarely do we find that our left and right sides are symmetrical. This is equally so for our feet and legs. The foot is a complex structure of 28 different bones (not 26 as commonly cited), 214 ligaments and 38 muscles, bearing our body weight as we walk every day.
The examination is not focused simply upon the foot but includes the entire body, looking at the head, shoulders, pelvis, legs and knees, assessing the relationship between them. It is important to examine the lower limbs because they are closely connected. Pain in one area can be due to a weakness or structural problem in another area, and can often be exacerbated by poor posture and learned habits.
Who IS BIOMECHANICAL ASSESSMENT GOOD FOR?
A Biomechanical assessment is ideal for people that have any ongoing pain in their feet, or unresolved pain elsewhere in the body, whether the pain stems from soft tissue injuries or sports related injuries. It is also useful for people suffering from pain in the lower back which is exacerbated by walking. The aim is to detect whether your lower limb biomechanics and gait are contributing to your pain/injury/problem.
what happens during a biomechnical assessment?
The duration of the assessment is 45 minutes. During which the range of motion of the lower limb joints will be examined including feet, ankles, knees and hips. Muscle flexibility will also be examined in relation to the effect upon your gait. You will be asked to walk/run to establish this. Once the clinical examination has ended, the findings will be discussed with you.
An appropriate treatment plan will be discussed and if concluded that orthoses/insoles for your footwear will benefit, then all treatment options will be discussed, whether it is semi-bespoke or fully bespoke insoles that you require. Included in this visit will be information relating to your footwear in order to provide you with the best possible support.