3 ways OptoSource is using ALINE Systems to improve gait performance

OptoSource is showing patients that they don’t have to live with many simple health problems associated with gait asymmetry.  Our gait, or the way we walk, is measured in phases that define the stride lengths, support times, and the load we bear in each step. Inefficiencies or asymmetries in gait are known to affect other aspects of the body, but what is remarkable is that almost any injury imaginable will effect our gait.

Common issues with the lower body can be fixed, treated or facilitated with improved footwear. OptoSource has been working with ALINE Systems, a semi-custom insole manufacturer that has developed an adaptable orthopedic insert for almost any piece of footwear. ALINE Systems, for most people, improves symmetry, foot neutrality, and support in the fit of every-day casuals to sports specific footwear such as golf cleats and ski boots. Using ALINE Systems unique application for quick, easy, and effective manipulation of the foot with real-time objective gait analysis feedback, we are seeing almost unanimous improvements in gait performance.

Finally, our 3 ways of improving gait performance using ALINE Systems.

1. Quickly/Easily identify problems Using the ALINE integrated measurement tool to measures foot size, ankle displacement and knee centering, we can then determine if your problem lies in the lower leg and if ALINE is a good product for you.

2. Making adjustments With the ALINE insole, immediately the foot is supported. Minor adjustments to displacement and centering can be altered using quickly adaptable tabs to the underside of the insole and the measurement tool provides quality subjective results.

3. Baseline testing/Objective feedback Taking a gait print using a OptoGait with a treadmill or by using a larger system such as a 10-meter OptoJump, we can determine a baseline ‘swing’ or an average of our performance in each phase specific to your gait. We can compare a barefoot analysis with that of one with our current footwear and see how symmetry is affected by the addition of footwear. Finally, we add ALINE and compare the results with each state of testing. Vast improvements in the symmetry of contact times between right and left legs, as well as the variance of each step length and contact time, focusing on each leg individually.

2-episode webinar – Discovering the Next Generation of Assessment Technology

OptoSource is holding a webinar event on two days titles Discovering the Next Generation of Assessment Technology.  On September 7^th and 12^th,  the web-hosted event will cover the common chiropractic and physical therapy practices and how the use of new technology enhances our understanding of treatment effectiveness and makes it easier to objectify changes in function unique to each patient.

Dr. Nicholas Studholme, DC, CCSP, CEEP, will join as a guest speaker on how he has put his OptoSource technology to use at his chiropractic office in Boulder, Colorado. Active care, injury prevention, and performance enhancement are among his top priorities with his clients, and he will discuss the benefits of such reliable analysis when dealing with a variety of complications.

Without general consensus on concussion assessment, currently a major media topic, our approach to pre-injury testing will be a major subject that Dr. Studholme and OptoSource founder, Douglas Fidellow will discuss within the hour-long event.

To join, visit our webinar registration page, or contact us with any questions about the event and registration.

See (hear) everyone on September 7^th and 12^th.

https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/146443638

BSMPG EVENT

We are still unwinding ourselves after sponsoring the Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group 2011 Conference. Held at Northeastern University and in its third year, the conference has evolved into a must-attend event for those involved with sports medicine and performance training.

Attendees were fortunate to hear a host of experts discuss the best practices and new techniques in a sport-specific classroom, focusing on either Basketball or Hockey. Additionally, the conference offered speakers focused on general sports medicine and a first look new and innovative products, such as OptoSource and our 4Pillars athlete management portal, Tekscan pressure mapping technology, and Core Cooler‘s frozen isotonic sports drink.

Art Horne, Director of Sports Medicine at Northeastern University, hosted more than 150 strength and conditioning coaches and trainers from colleges and universities around the country including the up-and coming Quinnipiac University and notable Cornell University to learn from 20 keynote speakers. The diverse set of speakers and topics included  Charlie Weingroff, the Lead Physical Therapist for United States Marine Corps Special Operations Command, and Former Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Philadelphia 76ers, and his topic, Trying to Define the Core as well as sports psychologist George Mumford, who under Phil Jackson’s support staff with the Chicago Bulls (1993-1998) and the Los Angeles Lakers (2000-2002) earned 6 NBA Championship titles, speak on his topic Playing the Inner Game of Basketball.

The BSMPG event was a great success for all attendees, speakers, and sponsors alike. Northeastern University has become a flagship school for OptoSource by having a 2-meter OptoJump system delivered to their staff on June 30th, and plans to have the system fully integrated into their sports medicine program as well as the health and wellness department by August 4th. OptoSource technology will be available for the entire student body to track and trend individual gait analysis‘ and performance statistics in the coming months.