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