Biomechanical Assessment in London

A biomechanical assessment examines how your body moves — analysing the alignment, strength, flexibility and function of your lower limbs, feet and pelvis to identify structural imbalances that are causing pain, limiting movement or increasing your risk of injury.
At our London osteopathy clinics in Old Street, Beckenham and Orpington, David Canevaro BSc (Hons) — a GOsC-registered osteopath with over 25 years of clinical experience — carries out thorough biomechanical assessments combined with gait analysis to get to the root cause of your problem and design a targeted treatment plan.

✓ GOsC Registered Osteopath
✓ 25+ Years Clinical Experience
✓ 350+ Five-Star Google Reviews
✓ Assessment + Treatment Plan Included
✓ 3 Clinics — London & Kent

What Is a Biomechanical Assessment?

Your lower body is an extraordinarily complex mechanical system. Your feet alone contain 52 bones, 66 joints, 214 ligaments, and 38 muscles and tendons — all working together to support your entire body weight with every step you take.
When any component of this system is even slightly out of alignment, the effects can travel throughout your entire musculoskeletal chain. A small imbalance in foot mechanics can affect your ankle, knee, hip and lower back — often causing pain far from the original source of the problem.
A biomechanical assessment examines this entire chain systematically. David assesses the structure and alignment of your lower limbs, the strength and flexibility of key muscle groups, the way your feet contact the ground, and how these factors change during walking, running or sport-specific movement. This gives a far more accurate picture of why you are in pain than an X-ray or general clinical examination alone.

Who Needs a Biomechanical Assessment?

A biomechanical assessment is recommended if you are experiencing any of the following:

✓ Lower back pain that doesn’t resolve with standard treatment
✓ Hip pain or clicking, particularly when walking or running
✓ Knee pain — including runner’s knee, patellofemoral pain or IT band syndrome
✓ Ankle pain, instability or recurrent ankle sprains
✓ Heel pain, plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendon problems
✓ Shin splints or tibial stress syndrome
✓ Flat feet or high arches causing pain
✓ Sports injuries that keep recurring despite treatment
✓ Pain that seems to move or shift between joints
✓ Postural problems or uneven wear on the soles of your shoes

You don’t need to be an athlete to benefit. Many of David’s patients are office workers, parents or older adults whose daily pain stems from long-standing biomechanical imbalances that have never been properly assessed.

What Does a Biomechanical Assessment Involve?

David’s assessment is structured, thorough and always connected to your symptoms. A typical session at our Central London, Beckenham or Orpington clinic includes:

– Full case history : David begins by understanding your pain in detail — when it started, what makes it better or worse, your activity levels, footwear habits and any previous injuries or treatments.
– Static postural analysis : Assessment of your standing posture, spinal alignment, pelvic balance, leg length and foot position to identify any structural asymmetries at rest.
Range of motion and strength testing
– Systematic testing of mobility and muscle function at the hip, knee, ankle and foot — identifying areas of restriction, weakness or compensatory movement.
– Foot and ankle assessment : Detailed examination of your foot posture, arch structure, heel alignment and toe mechanics — the foundation of your entire movement system.
Gait analysis
David observes and analyses your walking pattern — and running gait if relevant — to assess how your biomechanics change under load and movement. This is combined with our full gait analysis service where clinically indicated.
– Personalised treatment plan : Following assessment, David provides a clear explanation of his findings and a structured treatment plan. This may include osteopathic treatment, clinical Pilates rehabilitation, sports massage, footwear advice, or orthotics referral where appropriate.

Conditions Commonly Linked to Poor Biomechanics

Unaddressed biomechanical problems are a common underlying cause of many recurring musculoskeletal conditions. David regularly identifies biomechanical contributors in patients with:

Chronic lower back pain and sacroiliac joint dysfunction
Hip impingement and trochanteric bursitis
Knee pain and patellofemoral syndrome
Plantar fasciitis and heel spur pain
Achilles tendinopathy
Recurring sports injuries — particularly in runners and cyclists
Postural dysfunction from prolonged sitting or asymmetric work habits

Treating these conditions without addressing the underlying biomechanics often means symptoms return. A biomechanical assessment identifies the root cause — not just the site of pain. View all conditions we treat →

Biomechanical Assessment as Part of the Osteolates® Method

David is the creator of the Osteolates® Method — an integrated treatment framework that combines osteopathic assessment and manual therapy, clinical Pilates rehabilitation and medical acupuncture into a structured programme tailored to each patient.
Biomechanical assessment plays a central diagnostic role in this method. By fully understanding how a patient moves — and where the system breaks down — David can design a rehabilitation plan that doesn’t just relieve symptoms but corrects the underlying movement dysfunction that caused them.
Read more about David Canevaro and the Osteolates® Method →

Clinic Locations & Fees

David carries out biomechanical assessments at all three clinic locations:

Central London — Old Street
325–327 Old Street, Hoxton, London EC1V 9LE
Tel: 020 7127 8771

Beckenham
22 Oakfield Gardens, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3AZ
Tel: 020 3633 6132

Orpington / Petts Wood
1a West Way, Petts Wood, Orpington BR5 1LN
Biomechanical assessment sessions are charged from £99 for 60 minutes, inclusive of written findings and a personalised treatment plan. View full fee schedule →
David is recognised by AXA Health, BUPA, Aviva and Vitality. Please check with your insurer before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions — Biomechanical Assessment

What is a biomechanical assessment and do I need one?
+

A biomechanical assessment is a clinical analysis of how your lower limbs and feet are aligned and functioning. You may benefit from one if you have recurring lower limb or back pain, a sports injury that keeps coming back, or any pain that standard treatment hasn’t fully resolved. David will advise at your initial consultation whether a full biomechanical assessment is the right starting point for your condition.

Is a biomechanical assessment the same as gait analysis?
+

They are closely related but not identical. A biomechanical assessment is a broader structural examination covering posture, alignment, strength and flexibility from the lower back to the feet. Gait analysis focuses specifically on how you walk or run. David often combines both in a single appointment where clinically relevant.

How long does a biomechanical assessment take?
+

A full biomechanical assessment with David typically takes 60 minutes. This includes your case history, full physical assessment, gait observation and a discussion of findings with your personalised treatment plan.

Do I need a GP referral?
+

No. You can self-refer directly to David without a GP referral. Simply book an appointment online or call your nearest clinic. Osteopaths are primary healthcare practitioners regulated by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).

What should I bring to my assessment?
+

Wear or bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. If you have orthotics, bring them. If your symptoms are related to sport or running, bring the footwear you use. David may also ask to assess your everyday shoes as part of the consultation.

Can biomechanical problems be treated with orthotics alone?
+

Orthotics can be helpful for certain foot-related conditions, but they address symptoms rather than the underlying cause. David’s approach focuses on identifying and treating the root mechanical dysfunction through osteopathic treatment, targeted rehabilitation and movement correction — using orthotics as a supportive tool where appropriate, not as a standalone solution.

Is biomechanical assessment covered by health insurance?
+

Many private health insurers cover biomechanical assessment when carried out by a registered osteopath. David is recognised by AXA Health, BUPA, Aviva and Vitality. Please confirm coverage with your insurer before your appointment. View our fees →