Biomechanical Assessment
The goal of a biomechanical assessment is to determine the true origin of your pain, so that it can be managed in a comprehensive way to prevent reoccurance. We don’t just want to treat the symptoms; we want to treat the cause as well.
The first step is to identify specifically what tissue structure is injured. In some cases, multiple tissue structures may be injured. This is achieved through your initial conversation with your chartered physiotherapist. You will discuss the onset, duration, severity and frequency of your symptoms, as well as the factors that aggravate and ease those symptoms.
You will then undergo a physical examination. Your chartered physiotherapist will examine the site of pain for bruising, swelling and inflammation. They will analyse the posture of the surrounding joints when they are stationary and during movement. Finally, they will perform a series of targeted physical tests which may stretch or strain certain body tissues. They will harness their knowledge of anatomy and physiology to determine exactly what body tissues have been affected, and to what extent they have been affected. Following this assessment, your chartered physiotherapist will explain the details of your issue to you. This explanation will include the specific tissue affected, the severity to which it is affected, and the most likely original cause of the issue. They will then outline a suitable management plan which may include physiotherapy treatment and/or onward referral for further investigation. Click here to visit our Treatment page for more information on the physiotherapy treatment methods we employ.
Biomechanical Theory
Biomechanics is the study of forces. In biomechanics, we examine forces acting on the body and forces generated by the body. We are concerned with forces that cause either movement or pressure. When forces act on tissue in the body (i.e. muscles, tendons, joints, ligaments), its called loading. The ability of those tissues to cope with loading is called tolerance. If the loading force is more than the tissue can tolerate, then the tissue will be injured. An understanding of biomechanics allows us to prevent injury occurrence by identifying sources of tissue loading, reducing that loading and increasing tissue tolerance.