Biomechanical Assessments

Biomechanical Assessment and Correction

Biomechanics focuses on the relationship between abnormal foot function and muscular and skeletal dysfunction in other areas of the body.

The Principles of this is that if a foot position is out of alignment the tibia (shin bone) will internally rotate to compensate for the poor foot position this in turn can put stresses on the hip then eventually the back will compensate for this if left un treated the neck and shoulders can be effected!

Of course as well as poor foot alignment leg length discrepancies can have a massive effect in altered biomechanics. Leg length can be both Anatomical due to trauma or disease or functional often due to a scoliosis (curvature of the spine) that will in turn tilt the pelvis.

These leg length discrepancies can lead to undue stresses or loads being put on different parts of the body and then eventually foot, knee, hip and back pain.

So what is a poor foot alignment or position?

There are many ways a foot can be out of alignment and can be as simple as a big toe not moving properly! But the most common problem is excessive pronation.

Our physiotherapists issuing you appropriate orthotics as shown in the picture as well as advising you on exercises and life style changes can correct excessive pronation quite simply as most problems are straightforward.

We can also measure for leg length discrepancies as well as help in correction of these.

For more complicated problems Emma James Physiotherapy has intimate links with specialised London podiatry clinics as well as more local highly qualified podiatrists.