A biomechanical assessment is done by our Canadian Certified Pedorthists, C. Ped (C), to determine what is needed to off-load pressure, create better alignment and to decrease pain.
This assessment includes a detailed history of previous and current pain. It also includes various motion and flexibility tests while standing and sitting. A pedorthist will perform weight bearing/closed kinetic chain testing to assess how the lower limbs function and check alignment, looking for asymmetries, deformities, or abnormalities. These differences could be the possible cause of pain in the foot, ankle, knee, hip, and back. This also includes non-weight bearing/open kinetic chain testing to assess toe/ankle/knee/hip range of motion and muscle testing.
Feet come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Even your own two feet are not symmetrical. Some people are born with high arches, others with low arches. Many people also differ in the way they stand and move. Sometimes as a result of a difference on one side, people alter they way they move without realizing it.
For some, this may not make a difference; for others however, it can cause many problems all the way up from your feet to your back. If there is altered mechanics, it can lead to pain if there is extra stress being placed on joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Luckily, pedorthists are trained to determine if there are any differences that can be causing the pain and provide a solution. Our goal is to get as many details as to what causes the pain and look for reasons why this is happening.
