| Movement and its relationship with the human | | | | |
| form is what biomechanics is all about. It | | | | Joint assessment |
| involves a number of branches of physical | | | | |
| medicine. | | | | Gait and movement analysis |
| | | | |
| In relation to humans it has a major role in | | | | All of the above are involved in looking for |
| diagnosis and treatment of physical problems | | | | evidence of asymmetry, imbalance and |
| of all kinds. Essentially it is why, for | | | | compensatory changes in any component parts |
| example, a pain in the back can be due to a | | | | of the musculo-skeletal system. |
| foot problem. | | | | |
| | | | Using different techniques, many of which now |
| Any qualified professional in this field will | | | | include computerised analysis technology, an |
| understand that a problem in one part of the | | | | extremely detailed picture of the way someone |
| body can have its cause elsewhere. The | | | | moves and holds themselves can be built up. |
| patient's symptom may be caused by a problem | | | | |
| elsewhere in the body. | | | | This information can then be used like pieces |
| | | | of a jigsaw to produce a treatment regime to |
| There often arises a significant question | | | | solve the problem. This may involve |
| from the addict of "if it aint broke don't | | | | physical-therapy in the form of joint |
| fix it." In biomechanical circles this means | | | | mobilisation or manipulation, rehabilitative |
| that when assessed by a doctor or therapist | | | | exercises or the provision of orthoses. |
| you are very likely to have some evidence of | | | | |
| biomechanical abnormality. No one is perfect | | | | Orthoses are in the main in the form of |
| in other words. | | | | insoles that produce the necessary changes in |
| | | | body shape and movement pattern. |
| However the question is whether to do | | | | |
| something about it if the patient is not | | | | If it is that you have been suffering from |
| complaining about that particular thing? It | | | | something for a while it may be that a |
| will depend on the opinion of the | | | | biomechanical analysis is just what you need. |
| professional concerned as to whether they | | | | This may well invove a few hours of your time |
| think it is likely to develop into a serious | | | | and a little investment of money. At the time |
| problem or not. | | | | of writing this can be around the $400 or |
| | | | £200 mark, depending on the particular |
| Sports participants and athletes are much | | | | practitioner you choose. |
| more aware now of the benefits of consulting | | | | |
| a biomechanics expert with respect to injury | | | | I would say in circumstances like this though |
| and performance. | | | | that if you are visitng a professional with a |
| | | | gait analysis facility that the money you are |
| Biomechanical analysis may involve any of the | | | | paying is going to be well spent in terms of |
| following : | | | | information you get as well as the resultant |
| | | | product i.e. a decent orthotic and improved |
| Posture examination | | | | performance and/or quality of life. |