Understand How You Move.
A gait assessment is a detailed evaluation of how you walk or run and how your body responds to movement. At Foundation Physiotherapy, gait assessments are used to identify movement patterns, imbalances, and inefficiencies that may be contributing to pain, injury, or reduced performance.
By understanding how forces travel through your body with each step, our therapists can develop targeted strategies to help you move more efficiently and with greater confidence.
What Is a Gait Assessment?
A gait assessment involves observing and analyzing your walking or running pattern in a controlled environment. This includes how your feet strike the ground, how your joints absorb load and generate power, and how your muscles work together to support efficient movement. Efficient movement leads to pain free movement and improved performance in all aspects of life.
Gait assessments are used as a form of diagnosis for problems that arise from prolonged standing, walking, or running. Our therapists assess your movement from the ground up, looking at alignment, control, and coordination throughout the entire body. This allows us to identify contributing factors that may not be obvious during a standard examination. It’s also a great way to be preventative; our therapists can catch small dysfunctions before they turn into bigger problems.
Who Can Benefit From a Gait Assessment?
A gait assessment can be beneficial for individuals who experience:
- Foot, ankle, knee, hip, pelvic, lower back, or mid back pain
- Changes to walking after joint replacement surgery
- Recurrent injuries or overuse conditions
- Changes in walking or running mechanics
- Balance or stability concerns
- Leg length discrepancy
- Discomfort during daily activities or exercise
- Performance limitations during sport or training
- All ages, as young as 3 years old
Whether you are recovering from an injury or looking to improve efficiency and prevent future issues, a gait assessment can provide valuable insight.
Our Approach to Gait Assessment
At Foundation Physiotherapy, gait assessment is part of a comprehensive and individualized approach to care. We do not assess movement in isolation. Instead, we consider how your gait relates to strength, mobility, posture, and overall function.
Your assessment will include:
- Assessment of foot, knee, hip, pelvic, and back posture and alignment
- Observation of walking or running biomechanics using slow-motion video, up to 240 fps
- Live analysis of your gait video, explaining how you move & identifying poor movement
- Analysis of your daily & performance footwear, plus recommended upgrades
This information helps guide a targeted plan that addresses the underlying causes of dysfunction so you can learn how to move better.
What Happens After the Assessment?
The findings from your gait assessment are used to inform a personalized treatment plan that supports meaningful improvement. This plan may include custom orthotics, footwear changes, movement retraining, strength and stability exercises.
Education is a key part of the process. Our foot specialists will take time to explain what we see, how it relates to your symptoms, and what steps can help improve your movement over time.
Is a Gait Assessment Right for You?
If pain, injury, or movement limitations persist despite treatment, a gait assessment can help uncover contributing factors that may have been missed. This assessment is especially helpful for those who experience pain or uncertainty of movement when walking, running, or spending long periods of time on their feet.
Our team will determine whether a gait assessment is appropriate for you and how it fits into your overall plan of care.
Move With Confidence
If walking or running feels uncomfortable, inefficient, or limiting, a gait assessment at Foundation Physiotherapy can help you better understand your movement and support long-term improvement.
Book an appointment today in CityPlace, Downtown, Corktown, Etobicoke-Royal York, Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Trinity Bellwoods Dundas West, or Vaughan, ON and take the next step toward moving better, feeling better, and living better.
THIS SERVICE IS AVAILABLE AT:
Brandon Nethercott
R. Kin, C. Ped (C)
Registered Kinesiologist, Canadian Certified Pedorthist