As we enter the New Year and make resolutions, we look at how a biomechanical and gait analysis can help get you moving and prevent sports injuries.
So whether your resolution was to start a new fitness routine, take up an active hobby, vary your mix of activities, or intensify your training, biomechanics testing can help.
Preventing injury and optimising performance is beneficial to us all, whether on the sports field, at work or at home. With a biomechanical assessment and gait analysis of your spinal alignment, posture, muscle imbalance, biomechanics and flexibility, any imbalances will be identified.
How can a biomechanical assessment help prevent sports injuries?
A biomechanical assessment will assess the fundamental, functional use of the body when moving – how the client carries their body and how well balanced the body is.
A biomechanical assessment and gait analysis will aim to fully understand, how we move and identify any imbalances in the body. For example:
- Leg length discrepancy,
- Muscle imbalance,
- Joint dysfunction,
- Pelvic asymmetry,
- Core dysfunction etc that may be causing or contributing to your symptoms.
We are all unique and asymmetrical. Meaning we have learnt postural bad habits and dominance in certain muscle groups and have all developed compensations, which can be injuries waiting to happen. Combining science with experience can help you to understand your own body function and assist you on your journey towards optimum health and pain-free movement.
So have you been working hard and not seeing the improvements in performance? Biomechanics testing can help you find the missing pieces of the puzzle.
Is pain getting in the way?
Some people say ‘No pain, No gain’, but really, pain is the enemy of progress. However, nothing is more likely to put men and women off sports and fitness. Taking a rest in response to pain is not a sign of weakness. Sore muscles may be a normal response to a change in routine, but persistent pain and joint pain is your body telling you, “Stop, I need to heal!”
Overuse injuries, joint problems and other sources of pain have root causes. Unfortunately, they are not always obvious. Biomechanics testing can identify them. Addressing these issues through flexibility training, strength training, improved movement patterns and massage can allow you to move more efficiently and eliminate pain.
When you have the information you need to properly prepare your body for your training or practice, you can finally move forward with confidence and no pain.
What is the root cause of the injury?
Biomechanics testing can identify many issues that affect your performance and can cause injuries. This provides you with the opportunity to address them. For example:
- Muscle imbalances can be addressed by strengthening opposing muscles and increasing flexibility.
- Problems with muscle and nerve function can be addressed through flexibility training and massage.
- Foot pronation or supination can be addressed through strengthening, flexibility & exercises.
- Gaps in your range of motion can be caused by issues with both joint mobility and/or muscle tightness; these have a variety of treatments and solutions.
You might be amazed at how identifying and working on these issues can make a huge difference in the precision and effectiveness of your movements. Not to mention lessening issues with pain and soreness.
Help prevent sports injuries by making a stronger start to getting active
If you have frustrating issues that have put a dampener on your goals, then biomechanics testing may well provide the answers you need to move forward. The way you move can help or hinder your performance. So, let us use biomechanics testing to pinpoint issues with your movements so you can address them directly and put them behind you.
Are you suffering from a sports-related injury or are you looking to help prevent a future injury? Get in touch with our award-winning clinics in Beeston, Nottingham and Ilkeston, Derby to discuss our sports injury treatment options.