Clinical Biomechanics in Manchester

Understand why pain, injury or movement problems keep coming back 

Are you dealing with persistent pain, a recurring injury, or a movement problem that has not been fully explained by investigations to date? Or have you been told nothing is wrong, but you still can't move, walk or train the way you used to?

To help you understand what is really going on, we offer specialist Clinical Biomechanics assessments designed by experts at the Manchester Institute of Health and Performance, alongside Nick Holden, a consultant physiotherapist specialising in clinical biomechanics and complex rehabilitation.

Giving you access to the same objective testing technology used in elite sport, applied to clinical rehabilitation and everyday function.

What is included in a clinical biomechanics assessment?

Clinical biomechanics is the assessment of how the body moves, loads and compensates during everyday and higher-level activities such as walking, running, squatting, stepping, jumping, changing direction or returning to work and exercise.

It helps us understand why someone may have persistent pain, recurring symptoms, reduced confidence, difficulty walking normally or problems returning to activity after injury or surgery.

1. 3D motion analysis

This is detailed motion capture technology to reveal compensations, imbalances and ineffective movement patterns not visible to the eye. Ideal when compensations are subtle, complex or difficult to see.

2. Gait analysis

This walking or running assessment reviews stride, loading, timing and asymmetry behind your symptoms, to guide gait retraining, running progression, strengthening, load progression or further clinical review.

3. Strength and capacity testing

This is force plate technology to identify strength, power and loading deficits that may be limiting your recovery, set benchmarks and guide exercise prescription.

4. Consultation with Nick Holden

After your assessment, you will leave with a clear, practical rehabilitation plan explaining what is contributing to your problem and what to do next.

Why have a clinical biomechanics assessment at MIHP?

• We combine objective testing technology with expert clinical reasoning, to give you answers beyond guesswork when a scan or standard treatment hasn't resolved the problem
• It's led by Nick Holden, a consultant physiotherapist specialising in clinical biomechanics and complex rehabilitation, with experience in major trauma rehabilitation, including the Manchester Arena attack
• We are a leading centre for sports performance in the UK, combining modern diagnostic technology, sports medicine and education – all in one location
• One of the best biomechanics facilities in the UK to review how you move using 3D motion capture and force plate technology, on a 3G indoor surface and running track.

Who is the service for?

This service is for anyone who wants to better understand how they walk, run or move, and whether the way they move may be contributing to pain, injury or difficulty with day-to-day function. This may include people who have:

• walking difficulties
• persistent pain
• recurrent injuries
• post-surgical rehabilitation needs
• complex orthopaedic problems
• major trauma recovery
• recreational running-related injurie
• gym or exercise-related issues
• an active lifestyle and want to return to work, independence, exercise, activity or sport where relevant.

Athletes may be assessed where clinically appropriate, but the service is primarily focused on applying specialist biomechanics and rehabilitation principles to a broad clinical population.

Benefits of a biomechanics assessment

The service can help identify hidden compensations, clarify rehabilitation priorities, understand asymmetry, measure strength and loading deficits, improve confidence and progression, and translate complex biomechanics data into a practical rehabilitation plan.

Patients can expect a clearer understanding of their pain and movement; objective information about strength, loading and function; and a targeted rehabilitation plan.

Outcomes depend on the individual case, but the service aims to improve movement confidence, functional ability and rehabilitation direction. Further benefits include:

• Improved walking and running
• Better strength, balance and mobility
• Clearer rehabilitation priorities and objective progress tracking
• Safer progression back to work, exercise, everyday activity and sport where relevant
• Reduced risk of recurring injury where possible
• Improved independence and self-management.

Not sure if a clinical biomechanics assessment is right for you?

Our Performance Team is happy to have a free phone consultation to understand your current situation and discuss how a clinical biomechanics assessment could help.

We also have a range of other services and facilities on site, so our team can work with you to put a bespoke package together to ensure you get the most from your visit.

Frequently asked questions

1. What is clinical biomechanics?

Clinical biomechanics is the assessment of how your body moves, loads and compensates during everyday and higher-level activities such as walking, running, squatting or returning to work and exercise.

2. Who is a clinical biomechanics assessment for?

It is for anyone with a complex, persistent, unclear or recurring movement problem including post-operative and major trauma rehabilitation, recurring injuries, unexplained walking difficulty, and active adults or athletes who feel stuck.

3. Is gait analysis only for elite athletes?

No, this is a common misconception. Gait and biomechanics analysis is equally valuable for everyday rehabilitation and function, not just running technique or elite sport performance.

4. What makes MIHP's clinical biomechanics service different?

It combines specialist physiotherapy reasoning with objective movement, loading, strength and functional data; a clinically led approach that remains uncommon in the UK.

5. What will I get from the assessment?

A clearer explanation of what is contributing to your problem, plus a practical, objective plan for the next stage of your rehabilitation. You will have service options for reported only or reported and post-consultation with Nick to create your next action steps.

The first step towards unlocking your full potential is understanding where you currently stand. By investing in our Advanced Health & Performance Package, you’re setting yourself up for a healthier, stronger and more performance-driven future.

Commonly assessed conditions 

• Major trauma rehabilitation
• Complex orthopaedic injury
• Persistent unexplained pain
• Normal or Inconclusive MRI but ongoing symptoms
• Walking difficulties and limping
• Post-operative rehabilitation
• ACL rehabilitation 
• Knee pain
• Hip pain
• Foot and ankle pain
• Achilles tendinopathy
• Calf Injuries
• Tendon injuries
• Recurrent muscle injuries
• Plantar fasciopathy / plantar heel pain
• Patellofemoral pain
• Knee osteoarthritis
• Lower back pain related to movement/loading
• Running-related injuries in recreational runners
• Stress fracture history / bone stress injury rehabilitation
• Rehabilitation plateau
• Reduced confidence after injury or surgery
• Return to work, activity and normal function
• Case-managed rehabilitation / objective functional assessment.

How to book a consultation

Call us on 0161 521 9200 or fill out the form and take the first step towards mastering your health and performance.