Page 72 - LIN March 2024_web_file

health & fitness

How do you

walk?

by Paula Allia, PT, DHSc, MTC, OCS

alking is an everyday form of Normal gait pattern is heel to toe with a timely use of muscles
locomotion to get a person from to keep the body mostly in an erect position with weight shifting
Wone point to another. It is also and joints bending or straightening depending upon where one
something that most take for granted, that is, is in the gait cycle. It takes muscles to propel and control muscles
until there is a problem. moving forward and back while other stabilizing muscles control
Have you ever observed people as they the sway from side to side. Keeping the muscles strong and firing
are walking? Take a look around you at the timely in all planes of the body are essential to take care of joint
various gaits. Do they walk straight? Is there integrity over time.
a limp of some sort? Is there a side to side waddle whether it be Observe the limping person. Gait patterns are altered to
small or big? minimize stress and strain. A compensated movement pattern then
Walking is taken for granted for the most part until something becomes used and can be ingrained in the brain.
happens to alter the ability to walk normally. Even if some have a A limp is usually due to pain or a leg length discrepancy. If there
temporary orthopedic problem that alters the gait, some never get is a discrepancy, the longer leg could accommodate by keeping the
back to their own normal. They do not recognize that perhaps the knee flexed on the longer leg. Anything over 1/4 inch is considered
new limp becomes ingrained in the mind and it becomes the new significant. The whole lower extremity up into the pelvis and back
normal. has to accommodate a leg length problem. If you had an injury in
Abnormal gait puts wear and tear on all of the surrounding the foot and were placed in a temporary boot, even the back may
joints. Many times another joint has to accommodate or take the rotate differently and scoliosis can develop temporarily. If it is for a
load to decrease pressures on an injured or arthritic joint. This short time, the body will usually go back to its normal movement.
changes the compressive loads placed on the body. If not corrected If, however, the boot is worn for an extended period of time, the
this change in load bearing can lead to further issues elsewhere scoliosis can become more permanent if not addressed.
in the body such as a joint. Also, increased loads can be placed on A pronated foot where the arch is lower on one side causes the
other muscles leading to overuse or abnormal strain. leg to shorten. This pronated foot causes the leg to turn in and
The body is an amazing machine with its parts aligned in such invites more strain on the knee and hip. Wearing appropriate shoes
a way as to accommodate all of the things thrown at it each day. If, for your foot if there is an arch problem is very beneficial in order
however, someone has a hyperextending knee, a pronated (low arch) to give you the support to walk appropriately and use the proper
foot, or a leg length discrepancy, when the foot strikes the ground, muscles to do so. Shoes with good arches help to support the joints
there must be a compensatory gait for the faults that are present. in their position so that muscles and ligaments do not have to
In addition to joint structure anomalies, muscular overload or overwork.
weakness can be present. These weaknesses may cause a shift in a Many people buy shoes based on color and style versus comfort
normal gait pattern so more stress is indeed placed on the muscles and support. Protecting the foot is essential long term. Many have
and joints Involved. knee, hip or back issues in their lifetime. Keeping muscles strong
Here’s To Your Health! and coordinated, using them in everyday activities at the very least,
help to maintain muscle coordination and muscle memory.
If you need help getting to a better place, please call
Find your niche and keep moving. Fitness Together at (239) 263-9348 (335 14 Avenue South) and
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we can guide you in the right direction.

Fitness Together 335 14 Ave South, Naples, FL 34102 239.263.9348 www.FitnessTogether.com/naples
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72 Life in Naples | March 2024