Dr Peter Pedersen DC DO NTMD

Chiropractor Osteopath Nutrition & Traditional Medicine Dip

Graduate of the Sydney College of Chiropractic and Osteopathy (1977)

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Biomechanics

 

Biomechanics is a specialty within the musculoskeletal professions. (encompassing sports medicine and exercise physiology,

physiotherapy, massage, chiropractic and osteopathy.)

 

Biomechanics studies the body's movements during high demand performance and compares these movements to unstressed or "normal" movements usually performed during walking and general leisure activities.


The intention is to study the effect of high demand

movement variations on performance.

 

Once variations are considered, the criteria for treatment can be established.

 

Athletes train for a specific performance and when they are injured and require treatment, the treatment must be specifically matched to their physiologic requirements. Protocols don't cross performance barriers.

A "shelf" procedure (e.g. standard physiotherapy) will not

automatically correct an injury in an elite athlete, just as an asprin will not

address every condition that causes pain or inflammation.

(Nothing wrong with the treatment, just not necessarily matched to the "condition")

 

Many conventionally applied treatments have no regard

for the actual demands placed upon the body.

A "front row forward" will require different treatment for a

torn muscle than would a prima ballerina.

 

This is painfully obvious and frequently it is obviously painful...

 

Biomechanics is a process of determination.

 

There are many aspects of biomechanics that relate to specific conditions

and other articles within this site deal with those specifics.

 

This is an overview to give you an idea if biomechanics may be of value to you.

 

Do you have any of the following?

 

Recurring neck pain - mid thoracic pain - lower back pain - sacral or pelvic pain - knee conditions, dislocations, grinding -
shin pain - shin splints - achilles tendonitis - calf stiffness- heel pain

heel spurs - metatarsalgia - bunions - joint restriction.

 

How can Biomechanics help?

 

Finding the structural and/or functional circumstances that produce

compromised performance is the first step to enabling correction.

Treatment cannot reasonably be commenced until the kinesiologic

barriers are lowered.

 

The coach says "just do it" and the athlete says "but it hurts".

 

Many athletes are unable to identify the reason that they cannot perform to the level that is required, they know that they have the fitness, the training, the technique, the motivation...

 

We are suggesting a solution that has helped many of our patients.

It is relatively simple and requires an initial consultation with Dr Pedersen for assessment and, if appropriate, treatment. Occassionally we are unable to provide the treatment solution and we promise that when this occurs we will refer you to the most appropriate practitioner.

 

 

 

 

 

Orthotics

 

Orthotics are devices worn inside shoes for the purpose of correcting problems relating to foot posture.

 

The most common foot posture problem is "pronation" but many variations of pronation occur and many, very different solutions exist. You probably already know about the most common type of pronation, generally referred to as "whole foot", "mid foot" or just plain and simple...pronation. (It's a bit like "arthritis", everybody knows that arthritis affects the joints and causes stiffness and pain. Few people realise that there are over 70 forms of arthritis and some types of arthritis affect much more than joints. How about skin, lungs and immunity?

 

Pronation is actually a very confusing and highly variable condition. Frequently misdiagnosed by the "expert" professionals who should know better, and to a great extent...reduced in importance by the people who suffer from it. Because, pronation rarely causes sore feet! Oh my gosh! A foot problem that doesn't cause sore feet? Then why bother? Glad you asked...read on: Wayback in the 1940's...first half of the last century folks, a very smart chiropractor announced that foot posture was important. and not just to feet...He was a 30 year practice veteran, huge practice, lots of money in the bank and no reason to put it all on the line (No evidence exists of any foot fetish)...Silly bugger tried to influence current opinion, tried to introduce a new concept. Foot problems cause other problems. All sorts of problems! Ankle? Yes. Knee? Oh, Yeah. Hip? Not only problems but damage. Think "hip replacement". Back problems? Sure! Now, how about we jump to the interesting stuff instead of listing every possible problem whilst climbing up the body?

 

Pronation is a biomechanical problem that reduces overall structural and functional integration and thus..every single aspect of health.

 

Foot pronation is simply described as inward rolling of the foot so that the arch appears flattened. It generally does not hurt, you could have foot pronation and not even know about it. Stand up (without yer shews, dude,) and have a look at your feet. Are you standing comfortably? Are your arches up, or own. Are they up like a bridge, so you can stick a finger underneath? Or...are your feet, the together parts, totally flat on the floor? Or perhaps a little bit flat? Can you stick your finger under the arch or your foot? Yeah? Hmmm...not sure? Read on...

 

We frequently use custom-made shoe inserts (orthotics), heat molded to effectively replace the natural footprint and relieve excess pronation. This provides a stabilizing angle for the foot and heel and prevents the inward rolling of the foot, which leads to medial rotation of the entire lower limb and consequent functional problems. Sounds complicated? Try this...stand with your feet comfortably apart. Leave your feet anchored to the ground and roll your knees towards each other. Keep your legs straight! You are now pronating. See how the arch of your foot is closer to (or on) the floor? Now, roll knees outward, keep your legs straight and don't allow a change of body posture...presto! No pronation!

 

We use heat-moulded, soft orthotics because they are most effective and affordable.

 

Simple yet effective, corrective orthotics designed by podiatrists to help control "excess pronation" and motion of the foot.

An inbuilt angle helps to re-align the foot and leg around their correct neutral position, providing relief to above mentioned symptoms and complaints. And...you don't have to stand with the conscious effort of rolling your knees out!
By compensating for excess foot pronation and by correcting foot posture to the neutral position. Exercises are employed to strengthen the involved muscles, the younger you are, the easier it is to correct pronation with exercise. In some cases all it takes is a simple change of posture during activity.

 

Our physiotherapist, Sarie Kessler, with nearly 30 years experience, can provide expert advice on lower limb biomechanics............

 

 

Call 5527 3002 for your appointment with Sarie for biomechanical assessment

and

to see if you would benefit from orthotics.

 

 

 

  
Copyright ©Peter Pedersen 2001 - All rights reserved