We all run with slightly different patterns of movement.  In some of us it looks very graceful and effortless and in others it looks rather clumsy and imbalanced with different bits of the leg facing different directions.  To a certain degree this is out of our control and due to the natural bony alignment of our skeletons skeletal drivers.  In all of us, whatever our natural skeletal alignment, there is also a large degree of skill and conditioning required for our muscles to steer the skeleton in the right direction efficiently.  This makes some of us better at running than others but it also decreases the risk of injury for those people as well.

Analysing this movement tells us a lot about why certain types of injury have occurred or are likely to occur to various joints, ligaments and muscles.  Video gait analysis is used to determine not only how the foot interacts with the ground whilst we run but also how the leg, pelvis and trunk then move over the foot.  It tells us a lot about how well various running muscles are performing as we can see the degree of stability they give the joints that they control.  From here Physiotherapy rehabilitation can guide you through the process of improving the control, strength and endurance of those muscles that perhaps need it and when appropriate the Podiatrist can give you running shoe advice and where needed prescribe an orthotic device – a tailor-made insole in your shoe that helps to balance the foot and align it better with the rest of the leg.