How Your Gait Can Reveal the Source of Pain
Your Walking Pattern Might Be Telling You Something Important About Your Health
Have you ever truly paid attention to the way you walk? Most of us don’t think much about it–at least, not until we start feeling pain. At that point, we often become extremely aware of our gait!
It shouldn’t be a surprise, then, that the way we walk can tell a lot about what’s going wrong in our bodies. In fact, gait is one of the key factors that the Shoreline Physical Therapy physical therapists will consider when we’re trying to determine the reason for your pain. Like a good detective, a physical therapist can often pinpoint the source of pain just by watching you walk for a few minutes.
Let’s explore how we do it!
It All Starts with a Gait Analysis
Your gait refers to the particular movements you adopt when you walk. Everyone has their own unique gait, but certain movement patterns can lead to postural issues, muscular imbalances, or excess strain on your joints.
A gait analysis helps us identify these factors. We’ll watch how you walk so we can assess the following:
- How and where you shift your weight during steps
- How you adjust to the pressure on your joints or change your set or stride length
- How you absorb the impact when the foot hits the ground
What Are We Looking For?
During a gait analysis, we’re looking for several factors that can contribute to pain and dysfunction, including:
Symmetry
- Are you favoring one side over the other?
Stride Length
- Is one step shorter than the other?
Foot Positioning
- Are your feet angled as you walk?
Smoothness of Movement:
- Does your walk look jerky or hesitant?
This information helps us better understand your pain and, more importantly, what we can do to address it. What surprises many people is that a gait analysis isn’t just about revealing pain in your foot or ankle. It can actually reveal dysfunction throughout your entire lower body!
Three Ways Your Walk “Talks the Talk”
Hip Pain
If your hip is the culprit, your gait might show a “limping” pattern, where you favor one leg and appear to minimize the time spent on the affected leg because it hurts. This can look like you’re hesitating or shifting your body side to side with each step. Our PTs notice these subtle shifts when they see that your stride is shorter on one side.
Knee Pain
Knee pain changes your gait by making you less likely to fully straighten the affected leg when you step. This can cause a noticeable limp or a “shuffling” effect because of the effort put into avoiding bending the knee too much.
Foot and Ankle Pain
Foot and ankle pain can alter your gait in several ways, depending on where the pain is located. You might walk on the tip of your toes or excessively on the heel to avoid putting pressure on the painful part. This can lead to an uneven or awkward walk.
After the Gait Assessment, It’s Time for Treatment
Our comprehensive gait assessment is just the first step in your care, however. Once we understand your pain, we’ll create a personalized physical therapy plan designed to alleviate it and help you prevent it from returning. Here are some of the techniques we might suggest:
Manual Therapy
- Hands-on techniques to alleviate and manage pain and improve range of motion in the affected joint.
Therapeutic Exercises
- Targeted movements to stretch and strengthen the muscles around the affected area to correct weakness and improve mobility.
Assistive Devices
- Temporary use of tools like braces, crutches, or walking boots to help promote healing while you recover.
Education
- Teaching you about strategies and techniques to avoid further injury.
Book an Appointment at Shoreline Physical Therapy Today!
Pain should not be a normal part of your daily life. If you notice changes in how you walk or are experiencing pain in your hip, knee, or foot, it’s crucial to seek help from our team of physical therapists.
Early intervention can prevent further injury and help you maintain your mobility and quality of life every step of the way.
Sources: https://www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy-guide-to-osteoarthritis-of-hip, https://www.physio-pedia.com/Gait
Your Health, Your Choice!Did you know? You have the right to choose your physical therapy clinic! Many doctors refer to in-house clinics, but that doesn’t mean they’re the best fit for you. Take control of your care and choose the experts who put you first!
📞 CALL 910-604-6226 NOW
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Walk Your Way To Better Health
When was the last time you went for a stroll around your neighborhood or explored a local nature trail? Walking is a wonderful leisure activity and a great way to spend an afternoon. It also offers several health benefits that contribute to overall well-being, including enhanced cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and mood.
Why Walking is a Powerhouse Exercise
1. It reduces your risk of lifestyle diseases.
Walking at a brisk pace for just 30 minutes a day offers significant health benefits. Walking:
- Strengthens the heart
- Improves circulation
- Enhances bone health
- Helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels
2. It’s accessible.
Walking is a low-impact exercise that requires no special equipment or training. It’s a great choice for people of all ages and fitness levels. Just starting out? Go for a walk around the block. Looking for a challenge? Try a strenuous hiking trail.
3. Outdoor walking has extra benefits.
While you can walk indoors on a treadmill, walking outdoors gives you an extra health boost. It exposes your body to natural sunlight, a vital source of vitamin D that improves immune function, mood regulation, and bone health.
So, if you’re looking for a simple way to tangibly improve your health, incorporate regular walks into your routine! Worried about gait issues or pain? Our team can help you find a walking routine that works for you.
Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9798720/
No Referral? No Problem!
You don’t need a doctor’s referral to start physical therapy! Direct Access allows you to skip the wait and get the care you need right away.
Don’t let pain or mobility issues slow you down—take the first step today!
Exercise of the Month
Double Knees To Chest
(Lower Back, Hips)
Start on your back with your knees bent. Slowly bring both knees to your chest. Grasp your knees. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat. 1 Set, 3 Reps
Take the First Step Toward Pain-Free Movement!
If you are noticing changes in the way you walk or dealing with lingering hip, knee, or foot pain, don’t wait for the problem to get worse. At Shoreline Physical Therapy, our expert physical therapists can perform a comprehensive gait analysis to uncover the hidden root causes of your discomfort. Whether you need manual therapy, targeted exercises, or movement education, we will design a personalized treatment plan to help you move smoothly and comfortably again. Book your appointment at Shoreline Physical Therapy today and let us help you get back to walking with confidence!
“I highly recommend Shoreline Physical Therapy. Following my knee replacement, I had an excellent experience with Jai, Doug, and Megan, who helped get me back to normal. They are very experienced, professional, and effective in the therapy they provide.” — R. M.
Naturally Relieve Your Aches & Pains Today With Our Free Ebooks!
Looking for ways to relieve your pain before seeing one of our physical therapists?
Asparagus With Fried Eggs & Sizzled Paprika Croutons
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 large slices crusty bread, torn (crust and all) into bite-sized pieces (yielding about 3 cups in total)
- 3 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed (or substitute 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika, plus additional for sprinkling on eggs
- 1 bunch asparagus (1 pound), tough ends trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 pinch kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1 pinch black pepper, plus more to taste
- 4 large eggs
DIRECTIONS:
- In a 12-inch skillet, heat 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon butter, and garlic cloves over medium heat. Add the smoked paprika (it will gently sizzle), then mix in the bread. Stir until each piece is evenly coated in the paprika and fat. Saute for about 3 minutes, or until the croutons are lightly toasted and starting to crisp around the edges (lowering the heat, if needed, to not burn the butter or paprika).
- Move the croutons to the edges of the skillet. In the middle, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and the asparagus. Season with salt and black pepper, then stir to integrate with the croutons. Saute, stirring frequently, until the asparagus is crisp-tender and the croutons are nicely crisp yet soft in the middle, about 4 minutes (time may vary based on the spears’ thickness). Adjust seasoning to taste. Give the garlic cloves a quick chop and stir into the asparagus, or save for another use.
- Either in a separate skillet, or in the same skillet (with the asparagus and croutons transferred to another dish; no need to clean the skillet), heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Crack eggs into the skillet and season with salt, pepper, and a few pinches of smoked paprika evenly sprinkled over the eggs. Fry until the whites are golden brown and crispy at the edges, and yolks are still runny, about 2 to 3 minutes (or longer for yolks on the medium or well side).
- To serve, transfer the asparagus and croutons to plates and top with the fried eggs. Serve warm.
Free Consultation
Not sure if physical therapy at Shoreline Physical Therapy is right for you? We offer a free consultation to see if we would be a good fit for you! Schedule your appointment today!