| Best regards | | | | Posture examination |
| Robert Ryles | | | | Joint assessment |
| Biomechanics | | | | Gait and movement analysis |
| Biomechanics in human terms is all about the study | | | | All of the above are involved in looking for evidence |
| ofmovement and how it relates to the structures of | | | | ofasymmetry, imbalance and compensatory changes |
| the body. | | | | in anycomponent parts of the musculo-skeletal |
| It is an enormous area of study involving the | | | | system. |
| professionsof medicine, physical-therapy, podiatry and | | | | Using different techniques, many of which now |
| orthotics. | | | | includecomputerised analysis technology, an |
| In relation to humans it has a major role in diagnosis | | | | extremely detailedpicture of the way someone |
| andtreatment of physical problems of all kinds. It | | | | moves and holds themselves canbe built up. |
| isessentially how a foot problem can cause back pain. | | | | This information can then be used like pieces of a |
| Any practitioner worth their salt realises that a | | | | jigsawto produce a treatment regime to solve the |
| problemin one part of the body is highly likely to be | | | | problem. Thismay involve physical-therapy in the form |
| related tosomething elsewhere. The actual symptom | | | | of jointmobilisation or manipulation, rehabilitative |
| or complaint may bethe cause of something else or it | | | | exercises orthe provision of orthoses. |
| may be an effect. | | | | The orthoses we are talking about in the main will |
| There often arises a significant question from the | | | | beinsoles specially made from purpose designed |
| addictof "if it aint broke don't fix it." In | | | | materials toalter foot posture which can have |
| biomechanicalcircles this means that when assessed | | | | extraordinary effects. |
| by a doctor ortherapist you are very likely to have | | | | So if you are having pain or problems of a physical |
| some evidence ofbiomechanical abnormality. No one is | | | | naturethat are not settling you may well benefit from |
| perfect in other words. | | | | a goodbiomechanical assessment. This may well |
| However the question is whether to do something | | | | invove a few hoursof your time and a little |
| about it ifthe patient is not complaining about that | | | | investment of money. At the timeof writing this can |
| particular thing? | | | | be around the $400 or £200 mark,depending on |
| Really that depends on the opinion of the | | | | the particular practitioner you choose. |
| professional asto whether the abnormality is likely to | | | | I would say in circumstances like this though that if |
| develop or causefurther problems. | | | | youare visitng a professional with a gait analysis |
| Athletes are becoming more aware of the role that a | | | | facilitythat the money you are paying is going to be |
| goodbiomechanist can play in improving performance | | | | well spent interms of information you get as well as |
| as well asovercoming and preventing injury. | | | | the resultantproduct i.e. a decent orthotic and |
| A biomechanical assessment can involve the following | | | | improved performanceand/or quality of life. |
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