What is a gait analysis?
The way your body moves when you walk, particularly the way your feet touch the ground, is referred to as your gait. It’s part of your gait, for example, if you walk on the outside of your feet. A gait evaluation consists of a specialist monitoring your stride and drawing judgments about your walking style. Gait analysis can be performed by professionals in a variety of areas, including physical therapists, podiatrists, and even trained personnel at running shoe stores. While there are certain high-tech gadgets that can measure precise pressure and angles, simply watching may teach you a lot.
What is the purpose of a gait analysis?
People seek a gait analysis for a variety of reasons, including foot pain, trying to match their feet to the ideal running shoe, and determining what type of footbed they require. The assessment is crucial because the information gleaned from it will indicate what kind of assistance or correction that individual requires. If a runner spends $100 or more on running shoes, they want to make sure they receive shoes that fit their needs, feel good while running, and even assist prevent injuries. Running in a shoe designed for those who require a lot of arch support and correction when you don’t normally require it might create discomfort or pain because it forces the improper structures in your foot to endure the impact and pressure of running. This could lead to stress injuries over time. Similarly, if a person has pain when walking on a regular basis and a podiatrist determines that they overpronate, they may find relief by correcting their alignment with an insert.
What is the best place to obtain a gait analysis?
Many running shoe stores provide complimentary gait analyses to customers interested in purchasing running shoes. A gait examination can be performed by a physical therapist, podiatrist, or some chiropractors for medical diagnosis. There is an at-home way you may try if you want a quick snapshot of how your foot touches the ground, which is an important element of your gait.
Footprint Test in a Hurry:
1. On level ground, place a piece of cardboard, construction paper, or other material that changes color when wet.
2. Soak one foot in water until it is damp but not dripping, then take a natural stride onto the cardboard.
3. Switch to the other foot and repeat.
Match your footprints to the sort of arch depicted in the diagram below.
While this brief test isn’t ideal, it does give you a sense of how your foot interacts with the ground, and if the findings surprise you, you may want to seek further evaluation. Because the way we move and stand affects more than just our feet, you may notice that your knee, hip, or even back pain is linked to how you walk and how your ankles are aligned. Because all of these movements are linked, a simple gait analysis can reveal a lot about how you’re feeling and lead to relief and progress.