New Computerized Gait Analysis Lab Arrives in Missouri
There are about seven of us there to take the Tai Chi lesson. We line up at the entrance to the practice area and also bow out of respect to the founder. The practice room is large and well lit. There is a wooden bench and a fountain at one end of the room. At the other end is a large mirror that transverses the entire width of the room, sort of like what you might see at a dance studio. We all stand as the instructor enters the room. He stands at the front as we go through our warm up exercises. Then we watch as he demonstrates the next Tai Chi movement that we are working on. We are all beginners, so the moves are pretty simple. A lot of the moves require some balance and those are the ones that I have difficulty with. One of the reasons that I signed up for the lessons was to help improve my balance. I have suffered from a condition that is called MVL. The actual name is a mouthful to pronounce, but suffice it to say it involves some damage to the tiny blood vessels that supply the areas of the inner ear that control balance. I found that my balance has improved greatly over the six months that I took the course and since I have been practicing at home.
Now St. Mercy foot center in Washington, Missouri has a new computerized gait analysis lab. It is the only one like it in Missouri. The system is used in the evaluation of practically any condition that can affect the lower extremities and affect the way that we walk. It is also being used to help athletes see how gait problems can make them more prone to certain types of sports injuries.
The system works like this: using a paper-thin insole lined with some 196 electrodes, the computerized equipment maps out pressure points throughout the entire gait pattern. The system also uses 3-D motion cameras to evaluate the patient’s movements from the waist down. This is useful in diagnosing injuries and helps athletes prevent them. The system can also be used to evaluate the movements of players whose sports use a lot of motion in the lower extremities like golf, baseball, tennis, and track. More efficient movement equals better performance.
I wonder if this stuff could help me with my Tai Chi?