Gait Analysis & Custom Orthotics

Our custom foot orthotics are unique and specific to each patient’s individual needs. Unlike many practitioners who look only at the feet when recommending orthotics, we at Motus Integrative Health realize that your feet do not act alone. Your feet do not act alone. Your entire body moves, so all movement must be reviewed.

Knowing this, we provide a full-body functional evaluation that includes gait analysis to see how your entire body is moving and how your feet are reacting to that movement. We measure the exact degrees and angles of your knees, your ankles, and your hips while you walk and then run. The staff looks at the nine points of your body, namely your

• Head
• Shoulders
• Arms
• Trunk
• Pelvis
• Hips
• Knees
• Ankles
• Feet

A typical gait analysis is very visual because you are watching your patient move by walking and running. Often, objective data will also be measured, such as:

• Center of Force
• Step Time
• Swing Time
• Stride Length
• Force
• Weight Distribution

Upon evaluation, if it is determined that custom orthotics are recommended, we will take an imprint of your feet so that your custom orthotics can be created without error.

What Will Gait Analysis Do for Me?

Gait analysis is a great way to develop proper form and reduce pain and possible injury when you exercise. Many of us never take a moment to think about how we walk. Here are a few issues that a gait analysis will determine:

• Pelvic instability/hip drop: Did you know that with every step you take, gravity and momentum force your body down?  The ground then exerts an equal and opposite force through our body. You need a solid core to handle this reaction force. The hips and core are key.  
• Head position: If your head is too far forward, it can cause neck, disc, and low back pain. A recent study found that for every one inch of forward head movement beyond neutral, the average 12-pound head “gains” ten pounds.  
• Overstriding: Pronation is a normal part of the gait cycle and is part of how we absorb ground forces. Your feet need to land in your center of mass.
• Arm Position: Your arms rotate your torso and pelvis and help with momentum. Arm position is very important for balance.
• Excessive pronation: Your hips and core affect your pronation. Stable hips can help minimize overpronation.
• Anterior pelvic tilt: Do you have an excessive curve in the low back? You may have an anterior pelvic tilt. The staff at Motus Integrative Health will give you exercises to help you with this type of tilt.

Discover how we can help you with your gait. This entire process of evaluation and orthotic fitting can be performed in as little as 20 minutes and is covered by many insurances! At Motus Integrative Health we are proud providers of Xtreme Footwerks Custom Foot Orthotics.

Contact Motus Integrative Health Staff for a Gait Analysis

Take a moment to contact us at Motus Integrative Health in Crown Point or Schererville. We will schedule a convenient appointment for you to get a customized gait analysis.