It’s always helpful—and wise—to be in sync with your body and its rhythms. Sneaky symptoms can serve as red flags that something requires immediate attention. For instance, feeling over-tired over an extended period of time can be a sign of anemia or signal a thyroid issue, while bloating can indicate a digestive problem. You may be surprised to learn that your walking gait is a significant indicator of your overall health and well-being. Yes, something as simple as walking can reveal potential issues involving your nervous, musculoskeletal or cardiovascular systems. “Gait is a critical indicator of overall health. It gives us very valuable information about safety awareness, strength, balance, power, mental well-being and even mortality,” says Dr. Joey Masri, DPT, doctor of physical therapy and strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) at Vice City Sports Medicine. “In older adults, based on a well-known study from 2011 by Studenski et al., faster gait speed was linked to better survival compared to slower walkers. Overall, each gait pattern tells us a story that can be used to identify opportune areas of improvement.”Observing the speed, rhythm and movement patterns of your walk can help a medical professional detect potential issues early on. We spoke with experts who reveal what your walking gait may be telling you about your health.
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Your gait is your personal walking style—and it’s not just about what your feet are doing. It’s the entire act of walking, which includes your joints, muscles, nerves and balance systems, says Dr. Michael Owens, DPM, with Northern Illinois Foot & Ankle Specialists (NIFAS).
And that’s not all. Speed, rhythm, how high you lift your knees, if there’s arm swinging involved and even the way you move your pelvis all play an integral role in a healthy gait.
“Basically, it's the whole dance from the ground up,” explains Dr. Mikel Daniels, DPT, board-certified podiatrist, president and chief medical officer at WeTreatFeet Podiatry.
A closer look at your gait would involve a visual assessment and computerized analysis to determine your balance, length of stride, timing between each step and the symmetry of both legs. If you’re diabetic, Dr. Daniels would look for pressure points that could lead to ulcerations.
According to Dr. James Gamrat, PT, DPT, director of physical therapy at Spine & Health Center of New Jersey, it’s also common for an expert to observe the movement of your trunk and hips with each step.
Related: Walking at This Pace Reduces a Common Heart Problem by 43%
Why Your Walking Gait Matters
A compromised gait is important to recognize, as it could be your first hint of a medical condition brewing that needs to be addressed, such as declined strength, joint mobility, balance or neurological changes. Solid indicators that your body is compensating include shuffling, limping, dragging your feet, overstriding or a reduced arm swing. One side of your body may also feel tighter, more fatigued or out of balance.“Small changes in [your gait] often mean early nerve or muscle changes, joint pain or even new balance problems,” Dr. Daniels tells us. “A wobbly or uneven walk isn't just about the feet; it's the canary in the coal mine for fall risk, functional decline and even cognitive changes for some folks.”
If you notice any impairments in your gait—especially if you suddenly can’t walk straight—it’s essential to contact your healthcare provider to determine what the underlying problem is. Depending on the diagnosis, early detection and action can possibly resolve the issue before it gets worse.
Sometimes, the fix can be as simple as correcting foot mechanics. This might include performing strengthening exercises, investing in better footwear or wearing orthotics that will greatly improve your alignment. After all, your feet are the “foundation of the entire kinetic chain,” Dr. Owens says, so they may just need a little extra TLC.
Related: Exactly How Many Minutes of Walking You Need To Do Per Day To Boost Heart Health
In general, Dr. Owens stresses the importance of paying attention to your gait. To do this, you can self-test, which is a simple at-home process.
In fact, you don’t need high-tech equipment to stay on top of your gait health. Dr. Daniels breaks down two tests below.
One test involves marching in place in front of a mirror. If your body looks symmetrical, your gait is normal. What’s not normal? If either shoulder or hip swings more or drops to the side.
Related: This One Change Will Make Your Walks More Effective, According to Personal Trainers
Walking forward test
Another test involves walking toward your phone camera as it records a video. Your feet should land evenly and there should be a consistent pattern of heel strikes, midstance and toe off. You should never be favoring one side over the other.
And in general, one of your shoes should never wear out quicker than the other. If it does, it’s time to get checked out pronto.
While changes in your gait can occur gradually, it’s the sudden ones that are most concerning.
“Frequent stumbling or poor balance can be neurological in nature (stroke, neuropathy, etc). A wide, drunken-looking gait may indicate an alcohol or drug interaction or possible medication toxicity and balance dysfunction,” Dr. Masri explains.
It’s essential to remember that this is not an exhaustive list. If you notice changes in your gait or have any concerns, see your physician or physical therapist for a complete evaluation.
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Sources:
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Anemia: Symptoms, causes & treatment options.Cleveland Clinic. (2024, September 24). Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid): Symptoms & treatment.Iovino, P., Bucci, C., Tremolaterra, F., Santonicola, A., & Chiarioni, G. (2014). Bloating and functional gastrointestinal disorders: Where are we and where are we going?World Journal of Gastroenterology, 20(39), 14407–14419.Dr. Joey Masri, doctor of physical therapy (DPT), strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) at Vice City Sports MedicineStudenski, S., Perera, S., Patel, K., Rosano, C., Faulkner, K., Inzitari, M., Brach, J., Chandler, J., Cawthon, P., Barrett Connor, E., Nevitt, M., Visser, M., Kritchevsky, S., Badinelli, S., Harris, T., Newman, A. B., Cauley, J., Ferrucci, L., & Guralnik, J. (2011). Gait speed and survival in older adults.JAMA, 305(1), 50–58.Dr. Michael Owens, DPM, with Northern Illinois Foot & Ankle Specialists (NIFAS)Dr. Mikel Daniels, board-certified podiatrist, president and chief medical officer at WeTreatFeet PodiatryDr. James Gamrat, director of physical therapy, PT, DPT at Spine & Health Center of New JerseyHence then, the article about here s exactly what your walking gait can tell you about your health was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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