Access Sports Medicine can help you find your optimal stride through our running evaluations and gait analyses. Whether you’re looking to eliminate a chronic injury caused by poor form or want to improve your performance, our physicians are ready to help.
Regardless of age or skill level, a proper running technique is essential for preventing injuries. Injuries occur when proper running mechanics fail, which can lead to:
- Shin splints
- Achilles’ tendinitis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Muscle strains
- Bursitis
- ITB syndrome
- Lower back pain
Through video analysis and state-of-the-art software, our staff will examine your running pattern to identify problems with your mechanics and work with you through recommended adjustments. Our running evaluation program is suitable for anyone from new runners to seasoned marathoners. However, you must be able to tolerate running for at least six to seven minutes on a treadmill, so currently injured runners may not qualify.
Gait Analysis
Running is a whole-body activity. A gait analysis provides a holistic view of how your body moves and how this movement can affect your running technique. Through this analysis, our team can determine if your movement is efficient, or if you’re at risk for injury.
The gait analysis program at Access Sports Medicine starts with a physical assessment, including a brief written survey about your training and injury history (this may be filled out online before you arrive).
In our office, we will perform an overall biomechanical assessment including an analysis of your anatomy, strength, flexibility and balance. Added attention will be paid to areas of injury and asymmetry. You will then be asked to jog/run on a treadmill and we will record your running technique from a back and side profile. Finally, we will provide you with exercises and recommendations to help improve your form with the goal of you enjoying a pain-free, beneficial running experience.