What is Biomechanics?
Biomechanics is a branch of medicine that deals with
the structure and engineering of the human body, with particular emphasis
on motion and mobility. We walk in a world made of concrete that has
a high energy return, this low-grade but repetitive motion places stress
on the foot, legs, pelvis and spine predisposing to compensation, misalignment
and eventually pain.
Podiatric biomechanics is the study of these forces
acting on the human body its structure and function with particular
reference to the back, lower limb, foot and related pathology. Computer-based
technologies enable practitioners to precisely determine the forces
and moments (i.e. kinetics), and the movement patterns (i.e. kinematics)
of the foot and lower extremity during nearly any type of weightbearing
activity. This knowledge allows for more accurate measurement and more
rapid analysis of both the external and internal loading forces that
act upon on the structural components of the human locomotor system.
