Flaman Physiotherapy, a leader in Biomechanical Assessment and Treatment in Saskatoon
Flaman Physiotherapy offers a complete range of hands-on treatments designed to support recovery and overall well-being. We believe biomechanical assessment and treatment is one of the most important tools used to diagnose injuries and guide effective physiotherapy care. Biomechanical treatment can be summarized as the application of biomechanics to the diagnosis and treatment of injuries.
Biomechanics is the study of the mechanical laws relating to the movement of living organisms. By understanding how the body moves and functions, physiotherapists can identify movement problems, joint restrictions, and tissue dysfunction that may be causing pain or limiting mobility.
What Is a Biomechanical Assessment?
A biomechanical assessment is a detailed examination used to determine how your body moves and which structures may be contributing to pain or injury.
Our therapists evaluate your posture, joint movement quality and overall range of motion, muscle strength, nervous system function, and overall functional movement patterns to help localize the structure that is causing your pain. This is followed by a detailed hands-on evaluation of the injured region to determine the specific underlying problem.
Your therapist will often apply gentle specific pressure to joints to determine if there is loss of motion in one or more directions, if there is a problem with the ligaments, or if there is a problem with the muscles or tendons.
Determining the specific limitations of the injured area is essential to designing a treatment plan that will help you recover.
The Biomechanical Assessment Process
Initial Assessment and History
The first step involves reviewing your medical history, injury details, and symptoms. This includes the SCAN examination, a screening method used to identify the affected area and rule out serious conditions. The information your therapist receives from you regarding the injury, how it happened, and how it affects you combined with the measurable findings of the initial screening will often give us a very good idea of the structures at fault.
Detailed Biomechanical Examination
Once we have identified the likely problem area, we will assess joint mobility. Your therapist will specifically move individual joints through the patterns you use in every day life, as well as testing how the joint surfaces move in relation to each other. Ligament stress tests, special tests to determine location and severity of muscle and tendon injuries, and tests to determine if any nerve structures are compromised will also be performed. This will be followed by testing your overall function to determine the impact the injury, and the findings we have put together, are having on you. A deep understanding of the injury and its effects will help us to design treatment that is effective for you.
Biomechanical Treatment Techniques
Treatment methods may include:
Joint mobilization
Passive stretching
Assisted stretching
Therapist‑resisted exercises
Myofascial Release therapy
Soft tissue therapy
Joint manipulation when appropriate
Client self‑mobilization exercises
Restoring Joint Mobility and Movement
Biomechanical treatment often involves gently moving joints through various positions to assess range of motion and restore any lost mobility. Improving joint mobility can reduce pain, restore movement, and help prevent further injury. Biomechanical therapy addresses the root dysfunction of the injury, which will be followed up with specific exercise to strengthen the region throughout its improved range of motion.
Additional Treatments That May Be Used
Biomechanical treatment may be combined with other therapies such as:
Therapeutic exercise programs
Strength and mobility training
Ultrasound therapy
TENS or EMS therapy
Laser therapy
Shockwave therapy
Conditions That Benefit From Biomechanical Treatment
Back pain
Neck pain
Sports injuries
Joint pain
Muscle strains
Tendon injuries
Workplace injuries
Conditions That Benefit From Biomechanical Treatment
Back Pain
Neck Pain
Sports Injuries
Muscle Tension
Workplace Injuries
Joint Pain
Tendon Injuries
Chronic Back Pain
Neck Pain
Sciatica
Shoulder Pain
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of a biomechanical assessment?
The assessment process is crucial to determining the body parts which are causing the pain or loss of function and helping determine the appropriate treatment for the area.
Is biomechanical treatment the same as physiotherapy?
At Flaman Physiotherapy, we are committed to a treatment process that focuses on biomechanical treatment and movement restoration as the foundation towards injury recovery. We focus on restoring mobility and minimizing pain, which we then follow with graduated exercise to bring the injured area up to full strength. Biomechanical treatment is a core skill of physiotherapists, but every practitioner applies it based on their own treatment philosophy.
Does biomechanical treatment hurt?
Most techniques are gentle and designed to improve mobility while reducing pain. While injuries tend to be painful, we strive to apply techniques that minimize discomfort to reduce the effects of muscle guarding and post-treatment soreness.
How long does an assessment take?
At Flaman Physiotherapy, your initial assessment appointment will be scheduled for about an hour. This allows your therapist time to do a thorough assessment, educate you on what the problem is and what the treatment plan will be, and begin treatment. Beginning treatment immediately will help your therapist determine if their initial diagnoses is correct and also help refine their understanding of your specific injury.
Serving Saskatoon and Surrounding Communities
Saskatoon
Warman
Martensville
Dalmeny
Clavet
Dundurn
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If you are experiencing pain, restricted movement, or a recent injury, a biomechanical assessment can help determine the cause and guide your treatment plan.