What gait analysis is
Gait is the technical word for how you walk. Each step involves a precise sequence: the heel lands, the foot rolls and flattens to absorb force, the arch stiffens again to push off, and the hips, pelvis and spine rotate in balance with the arms. When one link in that chain moves too much or too little, other areas tend to pick up the slack.
A gait analysis breaks that sequence down. Dr. Okhowat watches how you stand and walk, then tests the joints, muscles and balance that drive what he sees. The aim is to connect a visible pattern, such as a foot that rolls in sharply or a hip that drops with each step, to the pain or fatigue you actually feel.
Correction is rarely about forcing a new way of walking. It usually means restoring motion where it is missing, building strength where it is lacking, and supporting the foot when that is needed, so a more efficient pattern can emerge on its own.
Who may benefit from a gait analysis
Gait problems are often the hidden thread connecting several complaints. These are common reasons people are assessed.
- Foot and heel pain
- Arch pain, heel pain and aching after long days on your feet can relate to how the foot loads with each step. The analysis looks at both the foot and the joints above it.
- Knee pain with walking or stairs
- A knee that drifts inward during each step often reflects what is happening at the foot or hip. Identifying the source helps target the right area.
- Hip and low back aching
- An uneven stride, a pelvis that drops on one side, or limited hip extension can load the back and hips unevenly over thousands of steps.
- Uneven wear on your shoes
- Heavy wear on one edge of the sole, or on one shoe more than the other, is a clue worth investigating. See uneven shoe wear for more on what it can mean.
- Walkers and runners with recurring injuries
- If the same shin, knee or foot problem keeps returning, a look at your mechanics may reveal why. For runners, the assessment may also include a light jog when appropriate.
- Older adults who feel less steady
- Shorter steps, a wider stance and reduced push-off can make walking feel less sure. Balance and strength work may help, alongside any fall evaluation from your physician.
How the assessment works
Wear clothing that lets you move freely, and bring the shoes you wear most often, including any inserts.
Conversation and history
You describe where it hurts, when, and what you do most of the day. Past injuries, especially ankle sprains and knee problems, are noted because they often shape how you walk years later.
Standing and walking observation
Dr. Okhowat observes your posture and foot position standing, then watches you walk from the front, back and side, barefoot and in shoes. He looks at foot rolling, knee tracking, hip and pelvis motion, stride length and arm swing.
Hands-on testing
Joint mobility in the big toe, ankle, knee and hip is measured, along with strength in key muscles such as the calves and hip stabilizers, and single leg balance. This explains why the pattern looks the way it does.
Your correction plan
You receive a plan that may include joint mobilization, targeted strengthening, footwear advice and, when helpful, custom orthotics. Gait is rechecked over time to see whether the changes are carrying over into everyday walking.
What gait correction may help with
Changing a lifelong movement pattern takes patience. Over time, many people notice benefits like these.
- May reduce strain on the feet, knees, hips and lower back during walking.
- Can help you understand why a recurring injury keeps coming back.
- May improve balance and confidence on uneven ground or stairs.
- Can guide smarter footwear and insert choices for your feet and activities.
- Aims to make longer walks and time on your feet more comfortable.
Is this right for me?
A gait analysis is useful when pain or fatigue in the lower body seems linked to walking, standing or running, or when you notice changes in how you move. It is a musculoskeletal assessment and does not replace a neurological or vascular evaluation.
Some changes in walking point to medical conditions that need a physician's attention first. Please seek medical care before a gait assessment if any of the following apply.
Often a good fit
- Foot, knee, hip or low back pain that builds with walking or standing
- Recurring overuse injuries from running, hiking or long workdays on your feet
- Noticeably uneven shoe wear or one leg that tires faster
- You want guidance on footwear or orthotics based on how you actually move
See a physician first
- Sudden difficulty walking, leg weakness, or foot drop (call 911 if it comes with facial drooping or slurred speech)
- Shuffling steps, new tremor, or freezing when starting to walk
- Calf pain that comes on with walking and eases with rest (possible circulation problem)
- Numbness or burning in both feet, especially with diabetes
- A swollen, hot, red calf or ankle
- Repeated falls or dizziness when standing up
- Inability to bear weight after an injury
If you have any of these, please see a physician or go to urgent care before booking. In an emergency, call 911.
How Dr. Okhowat approaches gait
Dr. Okhowat earned his Doctor of Chiropractic at Cleveland Chiropractic College and has over 19 years of experience. A gait pattern is a summary of the whole lower body, so the assessment is designed to connect what happens at the foot with the knee, hip and spine.
His training through the American Association of Integrative Medicine, where he is a Diplomate of the College of Manipulative and Body Based Practices and a Fellow, supports a plan that blends hands-on care with active correction. The office on Wilshire Boulevard is a short trip from the Fairfax District and Mid Wilshire, which makes follow-up checks easier to fit in.
- DC, Cleveland Chiropractic College
- AAIM Fellow
- AAIM Diplomate, Manipulative and Body Based Practices
- Over 19 years of experience
Questions patients ask
What does a gait analysis involve?
It combines watching you stand and walk with hands-on testing of joint mobility, strength and balance. The goal is to link what is seen in your walking to the symptoms you feel, then build a practical plan around it.
Can a chiropractor help with how I walk?
Chiropractors assess and treat the joints and muscles that drive walking, especially the feet, ankles, knees, hips and pelvis. Improving motion and strength in those areas may help your gait become more comfortable and efficient.
What is overpronation?
Pronation is the normal inward roll and flattening of the foot that absorbs shock. Overpronation describes rolling in more, or for longer, than the rest of your body handles well. Some people overpronate without any problems, so it is only addressed when it seems linked to symptoms.
Do I need orthotics after a gait analysis?
Not necessarily. Many people improve with mobility work, strengthening and better footwear. Orthotics are considered when the foot needs extra support to reduce strain, and the decision is based on your exam rather than a default.
What should I wear to my appointment?
Shorts or loose pants that let your knees and ankles be seen, and the shoes you wear most often. Runners may want to bring running shoes as well, plus any inserts you currently use.
How long does it take to change a walking pattern?
Gait habits develop over years, so changes usually come gradually. Some people feel a difference in comfort early, while the pattern itself shifts over several weeks of consistent exercise and practice.
Can gait problems cause back pain?
They can contribute. An uneven stride, a stiff hip or a foot that does not absorb shock well may change how load passes through the pelvis and lower back. Gait is usually one factor among several, which is why the whole body is assessed.