1. Overview:
Biomechanics is the science that study the movement of a human body, how muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments work together to produce a movement. By realigning the lower limb to its natural angle with Orthotics ensure correct foot function and help relieve common biomechanical complaints.
2. Tri-planar motion
Is key to understanding how our body moves naturally. When we walk, our joints and muscles work together to facilitate movement in three planes:
- Forward and backward motion (Sagittal plane) e.g. walking or running
- Side-to-side motion (Frontal Plane) e.g. Shifting weight or balancing
- Twisting or rotational motion (Transverse Plane) e.g. pivoting on one foot Restricted movement in any of these planes can lead to:
- Faulty biomechanics
- Abnormal gait and posture patterns
- Joint strain and pain in feet, knees, hips, or back
3. Posture
Good posture goes beyond just standing tall – it's about aligning your body in all three planes of movement. When you're balanced, you move efficiently, distribute stress evenly, and reduce joint wear and tear.
However, when posture is off, it can lead to:
- Faulty biomechanics
- Muscle imbalance
- Joint strain and pain in your feet, knees, hips, back, or neck
4. Gait cycle
The gait cycle is how we walk – from heel strike to heel strike. As we move, our body navigates three planes, enabling smooth motion, shock absorption, and balance
When posture or movement's compromised, our gait suffers, leading to faulty foot functioning and in turn walking patterns and strain on feet, ankle, calf, knee, hip and back
5. Faulty biomechanics
Faulty biomechanics means abnormal body alignment affecting joints and movement. It can occur at any joint, impacting others, and lead to issues like instability, pain, and abnormal pressure areas. Common problems include:
- Flat Feet (Pronation) / High Arch (Supination)
- Knock Knees / Bow Legs / Hyper extended knees
- Leg Length Discrepancy
- Exaggerated Lumbar Lordosis / Scoliosis / Pelvic Sway
These issues affect people of all ages, from kids to seniors, athletes and can impact daily life, leading to instability, pain, muscular imbalance and tightness, early arthritis and deformities, etc.
6. Treatment
- Assessment: To conduct detailed gait and biomechanical assessment from toe to head to study and identify the mal alignment and muscular imbalance causing the symptoms
- Custom Orthotic devices: Dispense custom orthotic devices to realign and maintain body's anatomy, promoting free movement and comfort.
- Muscular balance: Mal alignment cause muscular skeleton imbalance. The set of targeted functional therapy exercises to be conducted demonstrated and prescribed to ensure the muscles are strong but flexible and balanced.
- Faulty biomechanics in gait and posture can cause pain and long-term musculoskeletal issues. A podiatrist can assess and correct these problems with proper evaluation, orthotics, and targeted care. For a comprehensive biomechanical check-up, visit Orthofit Healthcare.
