Clinical Biomechanics is the study of the human body’s movement patterns and the forces acting upon it, with a focus on understanding how muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments work together to produce movement and maintain stability. It combines principles from both mechanics and human physiology to assess, diagnose, and treat musculoskeletal disorders and injuries. Clinical biomechanics plays a vital role in analysing the mechanics of injury, dysfunction, and rehabilitation, helping professionals optimise human movement for health and performance.
IMPORTANCE TO HUMANS
Prevention of Injury and Pain: By studying how the body moves, clinical biomechanics helps identify faulty movement patterns or postures that can lead to injuries or chronic pain. Correcting these dysfunctions can prevent long-term damage and improve overall health.
Optimising Performance: Whether for athletes or the general population, understanding biomechanical principles allows for the enhancement of movement efficiency, reducing the energy required for daily activities and improving physical performance.
Enhancing Rehabilitation: After an injury or surgery, restoring proper movement is critical to recovery. Clinical biomechanics aids in creating personalised rehabilitation plans that focus on restoring normal function and preventing future injuries.
Understanding the Aging Process: Clinical biomechanics helps explain how aging affects movement, flexibility, and balance, enabling interventions that can slow the decline in mobility, reduce the risk of falls, and improve the quality of life for older adults.
APPLICATIONS IN MANUAL THERAPY
Assessment and Diagnosis: A thorough biomechanical assessment helps manual therapists understand the root cause of a patient’s pain or dysfunction. By analysing movement, posture, and joint mechanics, therapists can identify abnormal patterns that may be contributing to the patient’s condition.
Individualised Treatment Plans: Biomechanics allows therapists to develop personalised treatment plans that address specific issues such as joint misalignment, muscle imbalances, or soft tissue restrictions. This targeted approach improves the effectiveness of manual therapy techniques.
Correcting Movement Dysfunction: By applying biomechanical knowledge, therapists can guide patients in modifying their movement patterns to reduce stress on joints and tissues. This often involves exercises, posture correction, and manual manipulation to restore optimal function.
Joint and Tissue Mobilisation: Manual therapy techniques such as soft tissue manipulation, joint mobilisation, and stretching rely on biomechanical principles to ensure that the forces applied are appropriate and effective in restoring range of motion and alleviating pain.
Post-Rehabilitation Support: Clinical biomechanics also informs post-rehabilitation strategies, helping patients transition back to their normal activities while maintaining proper movement patterns to prevent recurrence of injury or pain.
