In many aspects of our lives, the concept behind seeking an annual review is nothing new. For example, we typically seek a health check-up with the dentist, hygienist, optician and GP. We stretch these health checks to something like a Well-Woman or Well-Man checks, where our cardiac, respiratory, circulatory function and bloods are taken. These are all absolutely necessary, but are we missing a trick here?
When was the last time you considered getting your biomechanics reviewed? How well your body functions, both in terms of the skeleton and the soft tissue (muscles and fascia) is not only critical to your day to day comfort but can also have an impact on any physical activity. In addition, any biomechanical dysfunction can be one of the contributors to the development of cardiovascular and respiratory disease.
The simple answer is yes – and here are a number of reasons why you might have a check up.
Prevention is better than a cure: rather than waiting for an injury to occur, or the slight niggle to become increasingly painful – why not seek out an opportunity to prevent any potential injury occurring in the first place!
Early warning signs: the body has several early warning systems, much like the warning lights that come on in our cars when something needs checking. The main warning sign for us is pain. There are different types and intensities of pain, non of which should be present. However, a lot of us tend to live/exercise with some level of pain and accept this as a normal occurrence. Stay sensitive to the early warning signs and consider what may be causing them.
Bad habits: We hear it said that “practice makes perfect”. This is only good if the practice is done with correct technique. We should say that “practice makes permanent” and that good practice makes permanent.
Whether the bad habits are related to work, social or sporting activities they may not cause any immediate concerns, aches or pains… but if allowed to become habitual and or repetitive in nature, the risk for injury can increase the longer the issue is left undetected or treated.
You don’t typically wake up one day needing a replacement knee or hip etc purely because you hurt it the day before; its more normally considered due to day in / day out micro trauma causing wear and tear to the local structures.
The following diagram (and subsequent associated questions) should also help to reinforce the importance of annual physical MOT for your own wellbeing, so that you can help reduce the risk for injury in the future, make your activities less stressful to perform and hopefully make you more biomechanically efficient.
As you may have noted, we have tried to apply a traffic light system to the above diagram, with red typically associated with a potentially injury and thus a need to stop and have it assessed; amber meaning to be aware of these factors and review them as required; and green normally indicative of partaking in normal activity.
Assessment: How often should I be assessed? Annually, or more regularly if symptoms or training loads change. As a child or adolescent, should I be reviewed more regularly?
Footwear: Is it the correct prescription? Does it need to be changed/updated? Should I be wearing a neutral, support or stability shoe? Would I benefit from wearing a lightweight shoe for my running or walking?
Orthotics: Do I need orthotics for my shoes? Will a simple pair of off the shelf insoles suffice? How might a pair of custom made orthotics help improve my symptoms?
Technique: Are my current symptoms being influenced by my current technique? Is my technique optimal? If I changed my running / bike etc technique, could I be faster and or improve my biomechanics / speed / endurance?
Stability, Strength and Control: Do I have enough strength and or muscular endurance to control my movement for the duration on my activity? Am I unconsciously competent with this task? Is my strength, stability or control equally balanced between my left and right sides?
Flexibility: Are my muscles to tight? What if I’m hyper-mobile? What if my left side is tighter / more mobile than my right?
Functional Biomechanics: How does the rest of my body cope when I perform specific activities? Could I be more efficient / less physically stressed / faster etc. if I was able to improve my biomechanics? Is my posture impacting on my health and wellbeing?
Treatment: Could my current symptoms be helped and or assisted by a course physiotherapy? Would I benefit from regular deep tissue massage and soft tissue release? How can taping help facilitate improved biomechanics? Can electrical therapy (eg: ultrasound) help the healing process?
Prehabilitation / Rehabilitation: Is my current training program or exercise regime as specific as it could be in order to prepare me for my chosen activities / goals? What exercises can I do to assist my return to activity or wellbeing following my injury / surgery?
Whilst, the list of questions associated to each header is by no means exhaustive, it should at least help spark a few questions in yourself, and if nothing else, help to highlight how many variables have the potential to impact on our activities, overall health and wellbeing.
Should you wish to discuss any of the above further or indeed book in for your annual MOT, please feel free to contact Drummond Clinic for more information.