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Gait Analysis & Biomechanical Assessment

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August 19, 2011 By

The Sportsphysio injury clinic provides gait analysis and biomechanical assessment in Cumbria and South Scotland.

Running SkeletonWe believe that a skilled practitioner is essential when it comes to analysing the foot and its actions. Most problems are not limited to simple pronation or supination of the foot.

A gait problem may lie with other structures of the body and a thorough, skillful assessment of your biomechanics, including foot, lower limb and spine is our standard approach.  For this reason, we prefer to use the term biomechanical assessment, of which gait analysis is only an element.

The outcome of the assessment will let us know where the problem lies. This will open up various treatment pathways, adapting them to find the right combination for you.

  • Some problems can be rectified with manipulation, adjustment and exercise programmes.
  • Core strength training can improve posture, leading to a more efficient gait (walking pattern).
  • Orthotics and specific exercises can be used to correct problems with the foot itself.

Why we are different

The Sportsphysio.com takes great pride in being one of a very few clinics to look comprehensively at the body as a whole, allowing you to obtain your very own “blueprint” of how your body’s biomechanics affect your sport and every day activity.

This profile allows you to understand your posture, technique, range of movement and flexibility.

Advice on how to utilise this and adapt where necessary, reduces unnecessary strain on soft tissues and joints and helps prevent injury.  Your agility, performance and personal best can be greatly improved.

  • Independent – The Sportsphysio gait analysis and video capture systems are our own. We do not tie ourselves to orthotics or footwear manufacturers and as a result feel that we offer a completely unbiased, professional service based on sound science and clinical based evidence.
  • Skill- We have an in depth knowledge of the body’s mechanics and the physical and mathematical processes involved in measuring it’s movement.
  • Open minded – Biomechanical or gait problems can have many causes, not all of which can be solved by orthotics.  Our thorough assessment allows us to determine the best advice or treatment approach for you.
  • Flexible – When orthotics are required, The Sportsphysio practitioners have access to a number of quality suppliers and specialist orthotists, to allow us to achieve your perfect orthoses.
  • Adaptable – We know that every body is different, so we will never use a “one style fits all” approach.  Instead we can help you get the best from what nature has given you, fine tuning each individual.

The Sportsphysio biomechanics assessment

A typical biomechanics assessment at The Sportsphysio clinic will take into account any problems you may be experiencing, your activity and aspirations.  Our comprehensive assessment includes:

  • Full postural analysis
  • Joint and muscle function tests
  • Comprehensive assessment of your foot function
  • Pressure measurement of your active foot
  • Video analysis

Who is biomechanical and gait analysis suitable for?

We work with elite and amateur sportsmen and women to help improve performance and reduce injury risk, but anybody who experiences mechanical back pain, hip, knee, ankle or foot problems can also be greatly helped by analysing the body’s biomechanics and gait.

Buy Securely Online

You can even buy your Biomechanics Assessment voucher online for yourself or possibly to treat a friend for Christmas or their birthday.  Your voucher will be e.mailed to you and all you need to do is call us to arrange your appointment.

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Joint Mobilisation

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May 28, 2011 By

Passive joint mobilisation is a safe, non surgical technique frequently used by Osteopaths, Sports Therapists and Physiotherapists.  The aim is to improve joint mobility and reduce pain.

Leg with cast

Inactivity or casting results in a loss of joint mobility

Mobility of a joint or “range of motion” is often impaired following injury or surgery and it is imperative that as much mobility is restored as soon as possible. However, this has to be done carefully and gradually with emphasis on correct positioning and function.

 

Joint mobilisation is a gentle manual therapy, applied at varying intensities or “grades”, depending on the severity of the condition and required outcome.

These grades of mobilisation produce different actions on mechanoreceptors in the joint.

From a gentle oscillatory motion to more sustained movements at a joints’ “end of range”, different receptors can be activated which are aimed at improving the range and fluidity of movement, whilst reducing tension of the surrounding soft tissues and increasing blood flow and lymphatic drainage around the joint.

Joint mobilisation is used where a joint may have been restricted by injury or casting.  It is also a necessary part of the rehabilitation following surgery and joint replacement.

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Dancers

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March 21, 2011 By

With our knowledge of biomechanics and injury mechanisms we are well placed to treat injuries sustained by dancers.

Dancer's Flexible Legs and Feet

Injury and rehabilitation treatment for dancers

We have worked with a number of professional dancers, from the world of ballet and contemporary dance.

 

Dancing is just as taxing on the body as many sports and the injuries sustained are just as debilitating.

Remedial massage and soft tissue treatments are a regular part of a dancer’s regime and The Sportsphysio.com have developed a number of specialised techniques aimed at reducing strain and tension.

Rehearsal & performance

Intensity of training and tight rehearsal schedules, combined with movements that can take the joints, especially of the foot, well beyond their normal range, places great strain on soft tissues and bony structures alike.

Repeated training and performance limits the body’s healing time, often meaning that many injuries are compounded.

Understanding dancers

Here at the Sportsphysio.com, we understand the requirements of the dance techniques and the stresses of training and performance and always take this into account when designing treatment and rehabilitation programmes.

Pointe work

We can provide specific advice and exercises for pointe work and carry out pre pointe assessments.

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Easy Christmas Gift

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November 1, 2010 By

Gift vouchers for the Sportsphysio clinic are an easy Christmas or birthday present for a friend or relative.

Choosing an ideal gift is the annual challenge, so why not try something different and give a Sportsphysio.com gift voucher. Available in a number of values, vouchers make an ideal, value for money, easy Christmas or birthday gift.

Sportsphysio.com voucher image

Buy now via PayPal

 

Unique gift

Gift vouchers can be exchanged for a wide variety of treatments at our Carlisle clinic.  These include;

You do not have to be injured to take advantage of the services of The Sportsphysio.com.   A simple 30 minute clinic session can relieve day to day stress and strain, whilst also giving the opportunity to relax.

Situated to the east of Carlisle, in the rural village of Warwick Bridge, The Sportsphysio.com has been trading for over 10 years, specialising in soft tissue and spinal problems.

Manual techniques remain at the forefront of our treatments, so you will not just be sent away with exercise leaflet.

Easy Christmas / birthday gift

For the ultimate in easy Christmas or birthday gifts, our vouchers are even available via our secure online shop.

We will e.mail them to you or pop them in the post and take the hassle out of your present shopping.

Gift vouchers can be purchased as a single treatment session or for added value, in multiples of three.

Postal vouchers will be sent via first class Royal Mail and  Sportsphyio.com vouchers are valid for three months from the date of purchase.

Treatment sessions usually last around thirty minutes.

Vouchers have no cash value and can be redeemed against treatments at the Sportsphysio Carlisle clinic, including gait analysis.

 

Sportsphysio.com Vouchers
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Shoulder Mobilisation Treatment

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November 1, 2010 By

The Sportsphysio.com relaxing shoulder mobilisation treatment has been specially developed to suit those who use their upper limbs repeatedly.

Using keyboards, computer mice, driving or painting and decorating, are all jobs which require repeated use of the upper limbs, often causing tension in surrounding muscles and misalignment of the shoulder joint.

Grays Anatomy shoulder joint

The complex and highly mobile structure of the shoulder joint

The human shoulder is designed to offer a great range of motion and the joint is not a closely fitting ball and socket joint as would be found in the hip but more a tear shaped, shallow cup that allows a great deal of ‘play’ for the much larger humeral head (top of arm bone).

Tightened shoulder and neck muscles, and dare we say it, the ageing process, can cause the humeral head to pull up and away from it’s correct position.  This results in incorrect tracking of the joint, which can cause the humeral head to impinge against the bony structures above.

Many nerves and tendons run through or near the limited space of the shoulder joint and repeated damage from the humeral head results in inflammation, nerve impingement, pain and reduced movement.  In more severe cases, pain is referred down the arm along with tingling, numbness and weakening of grip in the hand.

Internal structures and soft tissue of the shoulder joint become inflamed and painful, limiting range of motion. Lesions can form in the cartilage and the rotator cuff muscles around the joint can tear.  The worst cases are diagnosed as “frozen shoulder”.

Shoulder Mobilisation Treatment

The shoulder mobilisation treatment employed at The Sportsphysio injury clinic, is designed to be preventative but certain elements are also used when treating shoulder injuries and conditions.

  • Connective tissue techniques are employed to loosen the soft tissues around the joint cavity.
  • Gentle mobilisation encourages the head of the humerus to operate in it’s correct planes of motion.
  • Massage to the muscles of the rotator cuff and shoulder girdle reduces tension and improves blood supply.

The aim of the shoulder mobilisation treatment is to aleviate the stresses placed on the joint, allowing the humeral head to glide freely in it’s correct location.  In turn, range of movement is increased and the risk of damaging soft tissue, cartilage and nerves is reduced.

The short video below by Dr. Tehrany (Dramatic Health), explains why the human shoulder joint is susceptible to problems.

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High Arches

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November 17, 2009 By

The high arch or Pes Cavus is represented by an abnormally high medial longitudinal arch.

Although less common than flat foot (Pes Planus), it is no less painful and in some cases can be more problematic.

There are Two types of high arch: Flexible and rigid.
The rigid or inflexible high arch will retain the high-arched appearance in both non weight bearing and weight bearing. This may also be referred to as a supinated foot.
The flexible high arch will appear more normal on weight bearing as the joints of the midfoot allow the foot to flex.

What causes a high arch?
There are a number of reasons why people may have high foot arches;

The condition may be inherited (congenital). Usually involving both feet (bilateral) and is evident from an early age.

In earlier years, there may be no symptoms due to the flexibility of the younger foot. However, as the body ages and joints become less flexible, these feet become painful and can also lead to pain and biomechanical problems in the lower limbs and back.

Trauma to the nerves of the foot or neuromuscular conditions such as Poliomyelitis and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease can be some of the reasons Pes Cavus appears in later years.

Symptoms

  • Heel or ball of foot (Metatarsal) pain.
  • Calluses and corns may appear on the ball of the foot where undue pressure is exerted.
  • Pain in ankles, knees, hips, hamstrings and low back due to poor shock absorption.
  • Haglund’s Deformity – Hard lumps at the back of the heel, often known as “pump bumps”.
  • Toes may appear clawed, as though they are grasping the ground.
  • Pain in the mid foot due to stress on the mid tarsal joints and Plantar Fasciitis.
  • Unstable ankle, resulting in frequent sprains.
  • Morton’s Neuroma – damage to the plantar nerves of the foot.

Treatment

  • Pes Cavus is not able to be prevented, so treatment is aimed at increasing flexibility of the midfoot where required and the use of prescriptive orthotics to support the arch and improve shock absorption by redistribution of weight.
  • Off the shelf orthotics are usually unsuitable, due to the complex nature of the problem.
  • Treatment of any corns and callouses to relieve pressure on the metatarsals.
  • Surgical correction may be required in the case of complications such as Morton’s Neuroma.

Your shoes should always have good arch support with plenty of room in the upper for the foot to flex. A well cushioned shoe will help to absorb impact.

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