Lower limb biomechanics are more important than ever for athletes

As our understanding of this complex process grows, more sports scientists are starting to apply the power of lower limb biomechanics to athletic performance. Ambulation, or walking, is so fundamental to human existence that few of us give it pause for thought. Athletes should think twice, however, as this subconscious biomechanical process offers a chance for gaining a cutting edge that should not be ignored. The process involves joints, muscles and the nervous system, and has a ripple effect that reaches the spine. A further concern for athletes is that dysfunction in the lower limbs is a signal contributor to back pain, spinal misalignment and a host of other symptoms. A biomechanical assessment of the lower limbs could be your ticket to resolving long-standing issues that have hampered your athletic performance.

Lower limb biomechanics strike at the heart of chiropractic science 

What is this all about but alignment: alignment of the joints, balance and support of the muscles, proper function in the nervous system; all of these things need to be in place for proper lower limb biomechanics. When athletes complain of dysfunction, pain or stiffness in the lower body and lower back, we often start by performing a biomechanical assessment of the lower limbs. Because they call into action many of the joints and structures that interact with the upper body, back pain and stiffness is a significant symptom of dysfunction in the lower limbs. At OFW Chiropractic, we perform a biomechanical assessment of your lower limbs that includes:

• Analysis of standing posture and stride
• Assessment of balance
• Mobility in the joints 
• Muscle length, strength and flexibility
• Static and dynamic balance tests

This is a simple exam that give us key insights into how you use your body. It will determine the course of treatment that we put into effect, incorporating spinal adjustment, corrective exercise and stretching. We believe that you can learn a lot from this assessment, and apply your newfound knowledge of lower limb biomechanics to every activity you do moving forward. Give our office in Westwood a call to schedule an appointment today