What is a biomechanical assessment?
A biomechanical assessment is an in-depth examination of how your foot and lower leg works and how this may be contributing to your pain or discomfort when you walk, run or exercise. An accurate biomechnical assessment is crucial in identifying the root cause of your issue so an effective and tailored treatment plan can be put in place to get you moving pain free again.
What happens in a biomechanical assessment?
The assessment is broken down into the sections of your body (upper body, hip, knee, foot, etc). These are all assessed both weight bearing and non-weight bearing, as well as whilst you are walking. We use video analysis so that we can slow down, speed up, pause and measure each of your movements. If you only experience pain when you are running then we can also organise a treadmill assessment, including a video analysis.
Functional activities are also important to holistaically assess your pain when conducting specific activities that may agrivate your pain. For example, if you experience knee pain when walking upstairs we may assess your pain whilst doing this activity. Other assessments that will be useful in assessing your pain include:
- Muscle testing
- Function activities (hopping, jumping, running)
- Postural assessment
- Hip stability
I already know what problem I have, do I still need a biomechanical assessment?
Whilst you may have been told you have a particular problem (for example plantar fasciitis) not everyone gets plantar fasciitis for the same reason as you do. Also there are many different structures in the heel (nerve, fascia, bone etc) that your problem may in fact be something completely different, therefore the standard treatment for plantar fasciitis may not offer you any pain relief. Some people may be experiencing plantar fasciitis because of tight calf muscles or because they are over-weight, therefore their treatment may be very different to yours.