Understanding your movement through a gait assessment can provide valuable insights into how your body moves, helping to pinpoint inefficiencies or imbalances that may be contributing to pain or discomfort. By assessing your walking or running patterns, a gait analysis can uncover issues like poor posture, muscle imbalances, or improper foot mechanics that could lead to injuries if left unaddressed. At South Simcoe Physiotherapy Clinic in Alliston, our comprehensive gait analysis services—both observational and instrumented—offer a thorough understanding of your movement and provide the foundation for personalized treatment plans aimed at enhancing your mobility and preventing future injuries.
What is Gait Analysis?
Gait analysis systematically studies human movement, focusing on how a person walks or runs. It involves assessing body mechanics, muscle activity, and overall motion to identify irregularities or inefficiencies. At South Simcoe Physiotherapy, a gait analysis can help diagnose movement-related issues and guide treatment plans for injury prevention and recovery.
Types of Gait Analysis
There are two primary types of gait analysis: observational and instrumented.
- Observational Gait Analysis: A physiotherapist visually assesses your movement patterns to identify any noticeable asymmetries or irregularities in your gait.
- Instrumented Gait Analysis: This advanced assessment uses video analysis to provide a detailed breakdown of your movement patterns.
South Simcoe Physiotherapy offers both assessments, ensuring a thorough evaluation of your gait and movement mechanics.
Why Is a Gait Analysis Important?
Many individuals are unaware of inefficient movement patterns that may contribute to pain or injury. A gait analysis helps identify issues such as overpronation, muscle imbalances, or improper foot mechanics that can lead to conditions like plantar fasciitis, shin splints, or knee pain. Understanding these factors allows physiotherapists to develop targeted rehabilitation programs, improving movement efficiency and reducing the risk of future injuries.
If you’re experiencing discomfort while walking or running, a GAIT Assessment at South Simcoe Physiotherapy Alliston can provide valuable insights into your movement patterns and help prevent injuries before they occur.
Understanding Pronation
Pronation refers to the natural inward rolling motion of the foot during walking or running. It helps with shock absorption and weight distribution. However, early or excessive or insufficient pronation can lead to biomechanical issues that affect posture and movement efficiency.
Determining Your Pronation Type
There are three common pronation types:
- Neutral Pronation – The foot rolls inward slightly, allowing for even weight distribution and effective shock absorption.
- Overpronation – The foot rolls inward excessively, increasing strain on the inner side of the foot and lower leg. This can contribute to injuries such as shin splints and plantar fasciitis.
- Underpronation (Supination) – The foot rolls outward, leading to reduced shock absorption and increased impact stress on the legs and feet.
A gait analysis at South Simcoe Physiotherapy can accurately determine your pronation type, helping guide appropriate physiotherapy treatment services to address any imbalances.
Book Your Gait Analysis at South Simcoe Physiotherapy Clinic
Whether recovering from an injury, experiencing foot or leg discomfort, or looking to optimize your movement, a gait analysis can be a game-changer. At South Simcoe Physiotherapy, our experienced team provides one-on-one assessments and customized treatment plans tailored to your needs.
Take the first step toward better movement. Contact us today to book your gait analysis and improve your mobility!