Ques: Where do you look when you find a bowler, besides having decent biomechanics, is a) not able to generate pace from their action; and b) is getting pain in the leg without tense musculature?

Ques: Where do you look when you find a young ‘golfer’, besides having decent swing, is having pain all through the leg and upper body – both sides?
Situation:
–         Therapy sessions exhausted but pain persist or comes back
–         Not able to improve on power/speed

Short answer: I would look at the foundation – the foot

Welcome to the Sports Biomechanics & Rehab Clinic – my lab where I resolve anatomical mysteries.

Let’s quickly review the basics of foot anatomy:
Bones & Joints: The foot comprises 26 bones and 33 joints.
Sole of Foot: The plantar fascia, a band of tissue connecting the heel bone to the base of the toes, supports the foot’s arch.
Top of Foot: The anterior aspect includes the metatarsals, phalanges (toes), and sesamoid bones.
Muscles: With 21 intrinsic and 13 extrinsic muscles, totaling 29, the foot is vital for movement and stability.

Yes. You have read it right.

Observations reveal common issues:
a) Toe adduction and cohesiveness, often influenced by footwear
b) Toe flexion due to weakened extensors (from the plantar fascia pull), impacting functionality

As a consequence, the takeoff happens from the ball of the foot rather than utilizing toe pressure against the ground, making toes non-functional over time. In one recent case the individual experienced top-of-foot pain due to inadvertent foot eversion during forceful landings eventually compromising his toe extensor functionality. Do you understand complexity of foot?


Rehabilitation training should emphasize the importance of how load is applied rather than just the magnitude of the load itself. The accompanying images provide valuable insights by comparing the ‘normal’ with ‘compromised’; and then addressing specific aspects while considering the holistic foot function