Biomechanics by Clifton Bradeley

What is Biomechanics?

Clifton Bradeley has developed a number of unique clinical assessment protocols in biomechanics and believes that the key to efficient and successful sports performance comes from a pelvic position, which is symmetrical in all three-body planes. Clifton helps athletes achieve this position.

" Over the last twenty years I have assessed approximately 15,000 sports men and women. It became obvious to be very early on in my career that the pelvic is the key to success and can eliminate a whole host of injuries if working well with the upper body and legs. Imagine the pelvis as the 'carriage' of the body; the upper body is the 'passenger 'and the legs the 'locomotor unit'. If the passenger is not sitting property on the carriage the locomotor unit cannot carry the upper body centre of mass (centre of gravity) efficiently and the legs will function asymmetrically during gait (walking & running)". Quote by: Clifton Bradeley

Clifton's work has made him certain that the biggest majority of back pain suffers can be eliminated with his unique treatment protocol.

Biomechanical dysfunction & asymmetry within our body’s locomotor system can cause many different types of over use injuries in sports men and women, and in fact most people what ever your level of activity. The body tries to compensate for this dysfunction in order to keep us upright and mobile on modern hard surfaces like concrete. Most compensation mechanisms include excessive pronation of the feet (rolling in) and postural adaptation throughout the body, including the back. These compensation mechanism can only help us so far until functional orthotics (shoe insoles) do the rest and help support us for the biggest majority of our lives. Orthotic use within the shoes is massively growing in the UK as the news of their benefits spread far and wide.

A biomechanical assessment investigates these factors through a serious of detailed measurements and tests, starting from the feet and working up through the whole body thoroughly and systematically by using a series of very clever tests.

The assessment includes a digital video gait analysis using the latest technology, which involves the client walking bare footed on a treadmill and then running in their training shoes. Then a pressure plate scan of the feet is taken both standing and walking over a special plate to assess the body centre of mass (gravity) and efficiency of the feet, legs and back.

Clifton Bradeley is unique in his approach during the patient contact as he only uses evidence- based treatment at Sub-4 Ltd, his specialist research and development centre in Staffordshire where he treats his clients.

What does this mean?

Evidence based treatment is the rare technique which means that you only treat what you find evidence for. Most practitioners get their success with well rehearsed techniques performed by other people assuming that it will work for you. This does not take into account the fact that we are all unique which is why evidence based treatment is important and really works. Clifton tells you what is causing your injury then uses the latest technology to prove that this is the case. He then carries out functional trials on the day of your assessment so that you can instantly feels the benefit before your custom made orthotic is manufactured in Clifton's laboratory. This means that there is a much greater chance of success because the evidence in front of your eyes. Sub-4 currently has a 95% success rate nationally.

What happens at the end of Clifton's assessment?

You will be given a written report in a nice Sub-4 folder full of other information to help you succeed. You will then a non-weight bearing plaster of paris cast made of your feet, which is what the Sub-4 lab uses to make your orthoses in the laboratory. All of the Sub-4 staff use the most traditional and latest techniques in the cast preparation and orthotic building developed by Clifton over twenty years. Clifton is a perfectionist and does not allow anything to leave the research centre until he has inspected them personally. These special one off orthoses (insoles) go inside your daily and sports footwear, then helps to cure your running injury by correcting any biomechanical dysfunction and making you as efficient as possible for sport. They can last as long as ten years if looked after. You are given thorough instructions with orthoses on how to use them in the first few days as you adapt to them. Clifton will call you personally after 10 days to see how you are progressing then write to you after six months and a year to advise you to have a short a review with him. This allows both the client and Clifton to make sure that you set perfectly for the rest of your life, providing comfort and efficiency.

What kind of injuries might I have if my biomechanics are not working well?

• Flattening of the medial longitudinal arch
• Muscle imbalance of the feet & legs
• Ankle pain or discomfort in the ball of the foot
• Strain on the Achilles tendon & Plantar fascia ligament
• Tightness in the gastrosoleal complex (calves) & hamstrings
• Excessive internal rotation of the tibia & femur
• Tightens the iliopsoas & tilts the pelvis forwards
• Increases the sacral angle & lumbar lordosis
• Strain on the sacroiliac and lumbarsacral joints
• Impingement of the sciatic nerve
• Lower back pain
• Knee pain
• Hip pain
• Piriformis syndrome
• Iliotibial band friction syndrome
• Head aches during or after sport
• Stress fractures
• A feeling of asymmetry or drifting to one side
• Footwear not wearing the same on both sides
• Shin splints (medial tibia stress syndrome)
• Compartment syndrome
• pain under the ball of one foot

What should I do if I have any of these injuries?

Do not panic! We can help you. You may wish to book an appointment with Clifton Bradeley for him to assess you personally. Be prepared he likes to spend at least 2-3 hours with you to make sure no stone is unturned to eliminate your injury for good. He is a very busy person and works for many professional sports men and women. It can take two to three weeks to get to see him. So plan ahead.

You may wish to try one of Clifton's Sports Injury Home Treatment Packs first, which might actually eliminate your problem without booking an appointment to see Clifton. " I am always delighted to help a fellow athlete. I know what it is like to be forced out of sport with a long-term injury and I would not wish it on my worst enemy! I am always pleased when somebody wishes to come to see me but if I can help them with my Treatment Packs (See Home page) and then do not need to see me, then I am also delighted. I am always happy to pass on my twenty years experience in sports injuries onto my clients".

Anybody can book an appointment with Clifton. Please contact his management team or commercial director here.