Clients of The NIHP Sacriston Practice in Durham often learn through a Gait analysis (the way we walk) and Biomechanical assessment that their recurring sports injury or leg/back pain is caused by a poor alignment of the bone, ligament and muscle structure of their feet and legs.

A biomechanical assessment is the starting point for understanding the cause of your problem, what treatment is needed or whether further investigations are necessary. It provides our Podiatrists with insight about walking patterns and muscular-skeletal alignment.

During the assessment the podiatrist will take an in-depth look at your posture looking at muscle strength, flexibility, joint range of motion and foot/leg/pelvic alignment. The examination is not focused solely upon the foot but includes the spine, pelvis, legs and knees, assessing the relationship between them. It is important to examine the lower limbs as a whole because they are closely connected and pain in one area can be due to a weakness or structural problem in another area.

The next part of the assessment will involve looking at gait (the way we walk) often using a treadmill and a computerised foot pressure scanner. This shows imbalances and exactly how our foot strikes the ground. For example, one foot may overpronate (ankle rolls inwards) whilst the other foot may over suppinate (ankle rolls outwards). Leg length differences, muscle imbalances and pelvic tilt are also a common finding.

A gait analysis combined with an evaluation of footwear and walking or sports habits will usually reveal the cause of a foot-related injury or source of pain, where a simple x-ray or generalized medical investigation would not. Once diagnosed, Northern Integrative Health Practice clients receive a tailor-made treatment plan designed to restore the foot and leg system back to more normal and symmetrical function. This will aid your recovery and improve the posture and mechanics of your body - put simply, improving the way you stand, walk and run.

Treatment plans may include foot manipulation therapy to restore joint function, muscle corrections, orthotics, footwear guidance and exercise therapy. Podiatrists at the NIHP work closely in collaboration with chiropractors, physiotherapists, osteopaths and other medical professionals.

Orthotics
Designed to fit inside normal footwear, Orthotics work by improving foot and leg function and alignment, reducing excessive Pronation or Suppination, supporting and aligning the foot and eliminating abnormal foot biomechanics. Orthotics can be likened to having the tyres balanced on a car, improving foot and leg alignment, reducing injury and pain.

The NIHP is one of only a handful in the UK to use a 3D optical laser scanner to capture an exact model of your feet and the many contours, whereby carbon fibre Orthotics-specialised insoles are manufactured using CAD CAM technology. The realtime interactive foot image displays dimensions and rotating 3D views and is transmitted to the USA for the manufacture of accurate, reliable and repeatable orthotics. The Orthotic shell is guaranteed for life.