A highly praised diagnostic tool among healthcare professionals, postural imaging is accurate, fast and completely safe.
Postural evaluation is performed using a computer and a harmless light projection.
The reflections of these rays of light make it possible to identify anatomical features as well as potential pathologies of your feet and body.
Here are 4 reasons that make postural imaging a worthwhile process to consider before establishing a treatment plan with your podiatrist.
1. It is accurate
Postural imaging is used both to determine the origin of pain and to compare the healing progress of an injury.
It is true that an effective initial diagnosis can be done using more conventional techniques such as a biomechanical examination or a digital radiography of the feet.
But to detect the subtleties of a condition, postural imaging becomes an interesting option.
With the help of a computer, the podiatrist who performs the postural imaging analysis is able to establish a topography of your body’s contours.
This allows the podiatrist to accurately identify areas that exhibit postural imbalances or deformities.
Postural imaging produces large-scale results similar to the 3D digitization of your feet.
2. It helps your podiatrist diagnose your pain
Postural imaging is an integral part of the podiatrist’s diagnostic arsenal.
Since there are many lower limb pathologies, your attending podiatrist may recommend a postural imaging evaluation to confirm the source of pain.
Among other things, this technique can help to detect:
- Posture imbalance
- Dissymmetry between the lower limbs
- Varus or valgus knees
- Pelvic imbalance
- Flat feet or hollow feet [Pages in french]
3. It makes it possible to measure the impact of a long-term treatment
In addition to its contribution to the preliminary examination process, postural imaging is also used to measure the effectiveness of the treatment recommended by the podiatrist.
This is the case, for example, when plantar orthotics are prescribed to help you compensate for an imbalance or postural misalignment.
The same is true when it comes to quantifying the impact of physiotherapy treatment.
4. It is safe for you
Unlike digital radiography, which is more effective at detecting musculoskeletal problems, postural imaging does not require x-rays.
The technology behind this type of device mobilizes light rays, and is painless and safe.
Its minimally invasive nature allows it to be used with a wide variety of people, including those who are normally vulnerable to certain forms of radiation.
You can witness this for yourself by taking part in a postural imaging session.
Ordinarily, a postural evaluation session is conducted as follows:
- You are asked to take a seat in the observation cabin.
- A light beam is projected over your entire body.
- Cameras capture and record the reflections of light reflected from your body structure.
- A detailed diagram of your morphology is produced by computer.
- The podiatrist reviews the postural assessment and analyzes it.
- Following their analysis, the podiatrist will meet with you to explain the probable causes of your pain and recommend a personalized treatment plan.
Posture and pain: your podiatrist to the rescue
Whether your pain appears as a result of a misstep or in response to a new sport like jogging, it is important to talk to the podiatrist about it.
They can quickly analyze your condition using a tool like postural imaging.
The results produced by this digitization process not only allow the podiatrist to detect your morphological abnormalities, but also to adapt the treatment plan as your recovery progresses.If you suspect that a postural modification is the cause of your pain, contact your nearest PiedRéseau clinic immediately.
