SERVICES > MUSCLE IMBALANCE ASSESSMENTS
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MUSCLE IMBALANCE ASSESSMENTSWe use a format for the muscle imbalance assessment in use by the NZ Academy of Sport. This is an approach pioneered by Vladimer Janda and further developed by Shirley Sharman. This has been refined into an assessment that covers all musculo-skeletal aspects from the head to the feet.
What is a muscle imbalance?
In simple terms an imbalance exists when the normal ratio of strength and flexibility across a joint is disrupted in a muscle for any reason. This results in typical patterns of imbalance that usually leave a muscle either lengthened and weak or shortened and strong. In either case the resultant changes influence the mechanics of the local joint and perhaps structures further away from the site.
The assessment is a muscle imbalance but does it cover anything else?
The muscle imbalance assessment is more correctly termed a Movement Systems Balance Assessment (MSB Assessment). This is because many structures other than exclusively the muscles are assessed. These include:
Who is it for?
Typically the full MSB assessment is done on athletes. However more and more we are doing these on patients for normal day to day tasks. Trimmed down versions of the assessment are available for postural related symptoms at work for instance. Enquire at reception for the details of these assessments.
If I have an MSB assessment what will I require?
A full MSB assessment takes between 60 and 90 minutes. You will need to bring any documentation that relates to recent injury and your current running shoes. For males you will need a pair of running type shorts so we can do a full postural assessment. For females you will need a pair of running shorts and a sports top that allows visualisation of the trunk and shoulders. |