How Your Gait Can Reveal the Source of Pain
How Your Gait 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 until we start feeling pain. Interestingly, the way we walk can tell a lot about what’s going wrong in our bodies. Our physical therapists are like detectives when it comes to observing how someone walks. We can often pinpoint the source of pain just by watching you walk for a few minutes. So, let’s explore how it’s done, what signs we look for, and how we treat them.
Your walking style can reveal the source of pain in your body, particularly in your hip, knee, and foot.
Patient Success
“I came to Peak Orthopedic with two fractures in my pelvis and one in my sacrum. Now I’m walking almost a mile a day, my balance is back and I can exercise comfortably. Sam gives amazing rubdowns and everyone is clear and concise in their instructions for the exercises. I totally recommend Peak.” – Carole W.
Walk Your Way To Better Health
Walking is not just a leisurely activity; it offers a myriad of health benefits that contribute to overall well-being. Research shows that regular walking can improve cardiovascular health, boost mood, and even enhance cognitive function.
Walking at a brisk pace for just 30 minutes a day can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. How? Well, walking:
- Strengthens the heart
- Improves circulation
- Promotes weight management
- Enhances bone health
- Helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels
Plus, walking is a low-impact exercise that is accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels. When you walk outdoors, it exposes the body to natural sunlight, which is a vital source of vitamin D that improves immune function, mood regulation, and bone health.
So, incorporate regular walks into your routine for tangible health improvements that get you on the path to a healthier, happier life.
Gait Analysis
Gait is defined as the style or manner a person has when they walk. Our physical therapists will perform a gait analysis to help identify a variety of conditions and causes of pain. The analysis focuses on your entire body as you walk. Watching how you move helps us identify the following:
- How and where you shift your weight during steps
- How you adjust to the pressure on your joints
- How you absorb the impact when the foot hits the ground
We’ll also be looking for:
- Symmetry: Are you favoring one side over the other?
- Stride length: Is one step shorter than the other?
- Foot positioning: Are your feet pointing straight ahead, or are they angled?
- Smoothness of Movement: Does your walk look fluid, or is it jerky and hesitant?
By asking about the quality and location of your pain and observing the unique ways your body moves, we can identify the source of your discomfort. And, with the information from our detailed analyses, we can determine the right treatment plan to address your pain, whether in the ankle, knee, or hip.
Join Peak Fitness
Begin your transformative journey towards optimal wellness with Peak Health and Fitness, our personalized exercise program designed to meet your specific goals. Whether it’s weight loss, strength-building, balance or improved cardiovascular health, our team is here for you every step of the way with a program that gets the results you are looking for!
Call our office or ask your physical therapist for more information. Memberships available in our Torrance and Rancho Palos Verdes locations.
Staff Spotlight: Heather Beckman, OTR/L, CHT
We are happy to shine a spotlight on one of our most dedicated and talented team members, Heather Beckman, OTR/L, CHT, our Certified Hand Therapist based in Torrance. A South Bay native, Heather brings not only outstanding clinical expertise to our practice, but also warmth, commitment, and a genuine compassion for her patients.
Heather earned both her Bachelor of Science (2006) and Master of Arts (2007) degrees from the University of Southern California, graduating Magna Cum Laude—a reflection of the intelligence and drive she brings to everything she does. Since the start of her career, Heather has focused on upper extremity rehabilitation, and in 2013, she achieved the elite distinction of Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), a title held by only a small percentage of occupational therapists.
Beyond her credentials, what truly sets Heather apart is her incredible work ethic, kind heart, and dedication to her patients. She pours everything she has into each session, and her attention to detail and personalized care do not go unnoticed. In fact, we consistently receive glowing feedback from patients who share how much they appreciate her knowledge, encouragement, and the noticeable progress they make under her care.
Whether you’re recovering from a hand, wrist, elbow, or finger injury or surgery, Heather is your go-to expert. Her patients often say they feel not only physically better after working with her—but emotionally supported as well. When she’s not in the clinic, Heather enjoys hiking, running, Pilates, and spending time with her family and friends.
If you’re looking for a skilled, compassionate therapist who will go above and beyond to help you heal, Heather Beckman is the one to see. We are so grateful to have her on our team!
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.
Speed Up Your Recovery With Our Additional Services
- Peak Fitness (gym membership that includes fitness assessment, custom workout program and supervision)
- Medical Massage (massage with special attention to medical conditions or injuries)
- Deep Tissue Laser Therapy (Lightforce Class IV Laser for reducing pain and speeding up healing)
- Pain Management and Home Exercise Products
Book an Appointment at Peak Orthopedic Today!
The path to recovery is different for everyone. We’ll create a personalized physical therapy plan designed to alleviate your pain and help you prevent it from returning.
- Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques to alleviate and manage pain and improve range of motion in the affected joint.
- 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.
Pain should not be a normal part of your daily life. If you notice changes in the way you walk or are experiencing pain in your hip, knee, or foot, it’s crucial to seek professional help. Early intervention can prevent further injury and help you maintain your mobility and quality of life.
Follow us on social media!
Stay connected and keep your health on track! Follow Peak Orthopedic Physical Therapy on social media for expert tips, updates, and more. Don’t miss out – join our community today!
