108 ultra-FIT

Our bodies function as a wholeand something as ‘small’ as aproblematic toe joint can giverise to problems in the hip,lower back and even in the

neck and shoulders, as Caroline Sandryrecently discovered…..As a Pilates teacher, I’m well versed in

postural assessments, pain, and mis-aligned bodies. Client’s often don’tassociate back pain, for example, with afoot which perhaps over-pronates, or hippain caused by knock knees, aconsequence perhaps of weak glutealmuscles. As the body tries to compensatefor a weakness or injury somewhere, achain reaction occurs moving the problemelsewhere. And the more steps you take,the more that chain reaction is repeated -helping to explain why runners and veryactive people are prone to pain and injury. Gait imbalance specialists work to

identify and correct gait imbalances, Iwent along to find our more from two verydifferent styles of practitioner.

✱ Bupa ‘APOS’treatmentAPOS, (‘All Phases of Step Cycle’) wasdeveloped by Israeli Doctors – Dr. AmitMor and Dr. Avi Elbas. Bupa has givenapproval to the system for their patients.Based in Reading I was assessed by

Noga Ronkin. After assessing my gait,checking my posture and alignment andany muscle imbalances, it was into thelaboratory where I had to walk along a‘mat’ which houses the brains of thesystem. It measures stride length, groundcontact time, speed and toe in/ out. Theinformation gained is instantly printed out.

The real magic comes from the APOSfootwear, two ‘Pertupods’ or cushioned discsare attached to the sole of special shoes –these are fully adjustable and subtly alterfoot-strike and correct imbalances. Nogaaltered my shoes several times until she wasfully satisfied that my knee was no longerdropping and I was walking efficiently. At the clinic I met an APOS client who

explained that the system had really changedher life. She had tried many differenttreatments for pain, and after a couple of

months of wearing her APOS shoes couldnow walk freely, stretch and lift with no pain.

The verdict I have an over-tight piriformis (deep rotatormuscle) and possible piriformis syndromeand my left knee drops in as I walk. Thepiriformis problem, it transpires is probablythe result of an injury to my big toe causedplaying beach football about a year ago. Thisresulted in being unable to fully weight bearon that joint and created a literal pain in my

GAIT ANALYSIS

Biomechanical Dysfunction affects more than50% of the population. Are you one of them?

Treadcarefully

Noga adjusts my APOS shoe

Testing gait in the APOS clinic

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ultra-FIT 109

butt, lower back and definite mis-alignment.

Who is it for?Anyone who has non-specific low backpain, knee pain and hip pain. Alsobeneficial for rehabilitation after kneesurgery or from ankle sprains or fractures.

Personally it’s too soon for me to tell ifthe treatment will work– APOS is a clinicaltreatment and the initial package takes sixmonths, so I will need to wear the shoesfor a few months first (but watch out forupdates as I continue my treatment.)

The prosThe treatment is easy and compliancerates are high – all you have to do is wearthe footwear!

The consWhilst some Bupa clients can get thistreatment for free if they have knee pain(definitely worth investigating) anddiscounted for back pain, non-Bupamembers have to pay £2,925 (or £3250, ifthe payment is spread over six months).The initial consultation is however free.

To find out more: T: APOS/Bupa 0845 600 3748W: www.apostreatment.co.uk

✱ StrideUK’sbiomechanicalprofilingStride produces your unique bio-mechanical profile. This helps understandyour posture, flexibility and muscleimbalances. They use intuitive motionanalysis software.Based in Hove, I was met by Stride’s

proprietors and performance analystsMitchell and Elle Phillips. Markers weredrawn on and stuck to my body – thesewere used to measure my movementsthrough video filming and computerrendering. I was filmed from various anglesin trainers and barefoot. The data wascollected and the ‘magic’ softwareinstantly displayed my results.

The VerdictAgain, my tight piriformis was a problemand tight hip flexors, particularly on my leftside. This caused my left foot and leg totrack in a very unbalanced fashion and

could clearly be seen on every stride. Aweak left gluteus medius meant my righthip dropped when running. As with APOS,I also have a valgus leg axis (knock knees).Mitchell and Elle explained my results

ensuring that I fully understood the‘diagnoses’. They then gave mestrengthening exercises and stretches(with and without a foam roller) as well asa list of suitable running shoes.

Who is it for?Anybody serious about their health and fitness,especially runners - even if you are problemfree (you’ll be given so much information, that

you will become a better runner!)

The prosAffordable - £165 for the premium service,£75 for the basic analysis.Watching your footage and understanding

where problems are created (you’re given acd of it) gives you the incentive to do thecorrecting exercises. (you’re provided withillustrations of these to take home).

The Cons Only based in Hove, so could be a longway to travel - a weekend in Brightoncould be the answer.

To find out more: www.strideuk.comGreat news! StrideUK are offeringreaders a 20% discount for bookingsmade over the next month! (offerends Dec 31st)

Taking preventative steps now can saveyou from pain or injury later. The site ofyour pain may not be the site of theproblem - both APOS and Stride (and othersimilar running analysis systems) enableyou to identify your muscle imbalancesand give you a plan to correct them. UF

GAIT ANALYSIS

The APOS shoe

Take-home video analysis of your running gait

Gait analysis in action

Mitchell marks up a clientready for analysis

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