Walking Evaluations: Why They’re Important

We are routinely asked why we evaluate walking gait so thoroughly with each patient.

Turns out that walking is the most foundational movement for human beings and is a great window into how the nervous system is functioning. Walking has been shown to have numerous health benefits including:

1. Boost Mood and Cognitive Performance
2. Improve Metabolism
3. Add Seven years to your life
4. Sleep Better
5. Stress Modification
6. Reduce Chronic Pain
7. Improve Bone Density

In fact, a recent study showed that improvement in walking speed predicts a substantial reduction in mortality.  This is great news as gait speed is easily measured, and modifiable, it may be a useful “vital sign” for older adults. How is your speed?

It is estimated that in a lifetime, we walk the equivalent of 4.5 times around the world; and with regards to injury, our walking patterns can give us a LOT of information about the root cause dysfunction.

Here at Studholme Chiropractic, we always evaluate our patients while they walk in our Noraxon3D Biomechanics Lab. This most basic of functions helps us to understand exactly where your deficiencies may lie, and how our treatment can help you get back to living your very best life.

Contact us for your gait evaluation today!