The way a person walks is known as gait. A problem with gait can indicate pain in a patient as well as serious conditions like diabetes and arthritis. An individual’s gait can be very telling revealing problems in the:
It is a diagnostic tool for a variety of conditions, injuries, and syndromes including autism. When it comes to chiropractic, an individual’s gait can offer important information regarding the root of the complaints, allowing for a more well-rounded, whole-body approach. If you think that the way you walk or moves does not matter, think again, as it could save you from developing back problems in the long run.
Gait Analysis
Gait analysis consists of a set of tests designed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of an individual’s gait. It is a study of human movement/motion that involves observing the individual and using specialized instruments that measure body movements, muscle activity, and body mechanics.
It is an assessment tool to provide insight into creating a treatment plan for people who have conditions or injuries that affect their ability to walk. It is utilized in sports biomechanics to help athletes gain optimal movement and for identifying problems with movement or posture, especially those with injuries. During the analysis, the individual may be asked to walk in a certain pattern or on a treadmill, that is usually connected to a computer, while the chiropractor/therapist looks at them from different angles.
Cameras are placed at different points to capture various views/perspectives including the front, back, and sides. The individual might have markers placed at certain points on the body like the knee, ankle, pelvis, etc. As the person moves, the computer captures data of the movement with a three-dimensional calculation of each marker. It generates a model to assess the movement of the skeletal structure, resulting in a detailed analysis of each joint�s movement.
Factors that Affect Gait
There are factors that affect an individual’s gait and that information is necessary for the analysis to be accurate. Age, gender, height, and weight of the individual is vital because men and women move differently and as individual age their body structure changes. Excess weight or physique can affect an individual’s posture and gait.
Shoes or not wearing shoes will also affect gait, as the terrain individuals walk on, and articles they carry, like a purse or backpack, changes how we walk. Other factors include:
Body proportion
State of mind
Emotions
Stress level
Personality type
Pathological factors such as
Neurological diseases
Psychiatric disorders
Trauma
Musculoskeletal issues
This is also measured and factored into the analysis data that includes the patients:
Length of stride
Cadence
Hip angle
Foot angle
Step length
Walking
Motion speed
Advantages of a Gait Analysis
Getting a gait analysis can be very helpful because it can provide invaluable insight into how your body is aligned and how it moves. It is a great diagnostic tool for identifying health issues related to the gait, spine, and feet and can also help provide early detection of health issues before the onset of symptoms.
If your chiropractor recommends you get a gait analysis it could be they suspect that something is going on, or it could mean they want a more thorough examination to provide optimal care. If you have any concerns talk with your chiropractor and ask them any questions that you have prior to the analysis, as stress and anxiety can put tension on the muscles and body, thus affecting the results.
Reduce Excessive Foot Pronation with Custom Foot Orthotics
The way a person walks, their gait, can be very telling. It can reveal problems in the feet, ankles, knees, and hips � even in spinal alignment. A problem with gait can indicate pain in a patient as well as serious conditions like diabetes and arthritis. It, is a diagnostic tool for many conditions, injuries, and syndromes including autism. When it comes to chiropractic care, a patient�s gait can offer critical clues regarding the root of their complaints, allowing for a more well-rounded, whole body approach to treatment. If you think that the way you walk or moves doesn�t matter, think again. It most certainly does matter.
What is Gait Analysis?
Gait analysis is a set of tests that are designed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of a person�s gait. It is a systematic study of human motion that involves observation as well as the use of instruments that measure body movements, muscle activity, and body mechanics.
It is intended to be used as an assessment tool and provide insight into devising a treatment plan for people who have conditions or injuries that affect their ability to walk. It is often used in sports biomechanics to aid athletes in more efficient movement and to identify problems with movement or posture, particularly those with injuries.
During the analysis, the patient may walk in a prescribed pattern or on a treadmill, that is often connected to a computer, while the chiropractor observes them from various angles. Often cameras are used, places at multiple points to capture different views including the anterior, posterior, and sides.
The patient may have markers applied to specific points on the body such as the knee, ankle, pelvis, and other areas. As they move, the computer captures specific data of the movement, providing a three-dimensional calculation of each marker. It then applies a model to assess the movement of the skeletal structure, resulting in a detailed analysis of each joint�s movement.
Factors that Affect Gait Analysis
Certain factors affect a person�s gait, and that information must be included for the gait analysis to be accurate. The gender, age, height, and weight of the person is vital because men and women move differently and as a person ages their structure changes.
Excess weight or they physique can affect a person�s posture and their gait. The individual�s shoes (or lack of shoes) is essential, as is their clothing, the terrain they are walking on, and anything they may usually carry, such as a purse. Other factors include:
Physiological factors such as body proportion
Psychological factors such as their state of mind, emotions, stress level, and personality type
Pathological factors such as neurological diseases, psychiatric disorders, trauma, and musculoskeletal anomalies
It will also measure and factor into the analysis data that includes the patients:
Getting a gait analysis can be very advantageous because it can provide invaluable insight into how your body is aligned and how it moves. It is an excellent diagnostic tool for identifying health issues related to the gait, spine, and feet and can also help provide early detection of health issues before the onset of symptoms.
If your chiropractor recommends that you get a gait analysis, it could be that he or she suspects that something is going on, or it could simply mean that they want to examine you to provide optimal care more thoroughly. If you have any concerns, you should sit down with your chiropractor and ask them any questions that you have before undergoing the analysis. Stress and anxiety can put tension on the muscles and body, affecting the results.
I have worked with several chiropractors in the professional area and he’s (Dr. Alex Jimenez) very good as a doctor, he’s awesome. He educates you and he really cares about his patients, along with the staff. Dr. Alex Jimenez makes you feel very welcomed.
Araceli Norte
Balance is something which many people take for granted throughout the majority of their life. In the early stages, as infants become toddlers, they learn to keep their balance, we cheer and then celebrate. They�also learn how to develop their balance when riding a bike. As we age, however, our balance becomes a little bit less reliable, where we often need to work to remain on our own two feet. When our equilibrium starts to falter, we realize just how much we heavily depend on our ability to stay balanced.
Reduction of equilibrium will happen to even the most powerful of individuals. For some, this means having to use a walking stick to help them move around or spending time in a wheelchair. As is correct with balance and gait disorders caused by neurological health issues, equilibrium issues can become worse over time. Problems like vertigo can block you from ever feeling genuinely secure. It is essential to concentrate on regaining your balance by focusing on improving your gait while this occurs.
Slip and fall injuries or accidents are a constant worry for seniors as well as for those who have physical difficulties or balance and gait disorders. Most of the time, those concerns aren’t unfounded. As a matter of fact, falls have been accounted as a�significant cause of severe injury-related health issues in the United States. In this article, we will discuss equilibrium and the type of treatment options available which can help improve balance.
Causes of Balance & Gait Disorders
The speed and style in which you walk are referred to as your gait. It is fundamental to seek proper treatment if you have to work on your walking. It’s also very common among athletes, although this is a process which many individuals often only have to do after suffering an injury in their lower extremities. Runners use treatment as a means to improve leg and foot motion as well as to increase stability and pace.
An individual’s ability to maintain balance while moving along with your gait is interrelated; you can not master one without focusing on the other. Chiropractic care will help you learn these skills to decrease your risk of injury, while at the same time increasing your confidence and independence. Before seeking treatment for balance and gait disorders, however, it’s essential to understand the causes of these health issues.
There are numerous factors which might affect your ability to keep balance. One of which is muscle atrophy. In this case, it is not an injury that holds you back. Instead, it’s often a natural process resulting in structural and functional weakness. Loss of balance stems from the sensation of “running out of steam.” The increased fatigue means that you are more likely to injure yourself, creating a flow of imbalance. Exhaustion, poor posture, and slow reflexes can ultimately make moving more difficult than it is.
Your ability to keep equilibrium depends on far more than a pair of healthy feet and caliber sneakers. Your balance and gait are also connected to your nervous system. Each of the following body parts listed below can play a significant role in your ability to stay balanced, these include:
Inner ears
Eyes
Joints
Muscles
Nervous system
Cognitive functions
Treatment which enhances balance and gait works with the different�parts listed above to keep them functioning correctly. Balance and gait treatment�comes with a selection of advantages, with preventing injuries being at the top of the list. You’re also more inclined to feel confident beyond lessening your chances of falling or feeling dizzy. Besides, those aches and pains caused by poor posture are also likely to decrease.
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Maintaining balance in your body is essential but when you have balance and gait disorders, this can often be difficult to achieve. Chiropractic care can help keep balance in your life. Spinal adjustments and manual manipulations can help improve overall health and wellness. For balance, chiropractic care can help provide strength, flexibility and mobility, making sure the body is functioning properly.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T.
Chiropractic Care for Balance & Gait Disorders
Chiropractic care, along with physical therapy, is considered to be one of the most effective treatments for balance and gait disorders. Working with an experienced chiropractor can enable you to regain your stamina by adopting new approaches regarding posture and movement. Exercises can help you feel more confident and more aware on your feet, and strength to the muscles will lessen fatigue as well as decreasing your chance of injury.
The very first thing to expect when meeting a chiropractor for the treatment of balance and gait disorders is a complete evaluation. You’ll be asked to walk, and the healthcare professional will take notes concerning your step style, foot placement, and pace. Possible health issues associated with your own strength will be identified and a treatment plan will be designed to ascertain which exercises will be ideal for your specific requirements. Checking balance is also a part of this assessment.
Hip and ankle problems frequently lead to balance and gait disorders, as does poor posture. Strength and flexibility exercises can help. These usually�involve leg lifts while seated in a chair, or “knee marching.” Chiropractors and physical therapists may even have you practice walking heel-to-toe, standing on one leg, or they may monitor�the movement of your thumb with your eyes as you move it in various positions.
It’s essential to seek immediate medical attention to find a proper diagnosis and continue with treatment for balance and gait disorders. A qualified and experienced chiropractor and can restore your confidence as well as to promote appropriate recovery. Contact a healthcare professional to regain your freedom. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at�915-850-0900�.
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Acute Back Pain
Back pain�is one of the most prevalent causes of disability and missed days at work worldwide. Back pain attributes to the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience back pain at least once throughout their life. The spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles, among other soft tissues. Because of this, injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as�herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.
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