Understanding Gait Analysis - How it can help you

Walking short or medium distances requires our muscles and joints to be pain free and in a good condition. For efficient walking enough strength in the muscles and range of movement in the joints is required.

While you are walking, one leg swings through in forward position (swing phase) and the other leg gives your body the required support (support phase). Both phases are important in good gait and can influence the opposite leg and your upper body.

When you walk faster, the time of these phases reduces and the angle required at the joints and strength of the muscles for control is increased exponentially.

Gait analysis is the study of the pattern of our walking. Every human being has a specific pattern of walking. The manner in which a person walks is responsible for causing pain in different body parts such as hips, knees, ankles, or feet.

With today’s hectic modern lifestyle many people face pain in their legs at some stage of their life. Wearing shoes, walking on concrete footpaths and periods of sedentary lifestyle all contribute to pain walking and can alter our natural gait.

How does a Physio analyse gait?

• By observing your posture when you stand
• Your walking and/or running gait will be observed and can be videoed for you to see it and learn.
• The effect of footwear or orthotics on your gait
• The range of motion at all the joints will be checked. Hypermobile (more mobile than normal) joints can be just as much a problem as stiff joints.
• Functional muscle power will be assessed by a physio who is a movement specialist

How an injury is treated by a Physio?

After analysing the area of your pain and injury, and assessing your gait, the physio will massage, give acupuncture or laser and mobilise the problem areas as required. You will then be taught strengthening exercises and functional exercises specific to improving your gait to the best of your body’s ability. Everybody is different!

If you are looking for a Physio North Sydney is the home for some renowned foot and ankle physiotherapy centres.

Anna Jane Physio North Sydney has more than 18 years of experiance as a physiotherapist. She has served as team physio to the Australian Freestyle Ski Team.