How to Do a Gait Analysis in Canberra
AKA: Why the Way You Walk Might Be Wrecking Your Whole Body—and What to Do About It
What is Gait?
Gait is your body’s signature movement pattern—a coordinated mix of joint motion, muscle activation, and nervous system wizardry. From heel strike to toe-off, it’s the choreography of walking that you perform tens of thousands of times a day. When your gait is efficient, your body runs like a well-oiled machine. When it’s not? You end up with mystery aches, injuries, or a spine that’s starting to look like modern art.
➡️ Learn about our full-body movement approach.
Why Is Gait Important?
Because your gait is a feedback loop between your feet, pelvis, spine, and brain. If one part’s off, the rest start compensating like a badly synced dance crew. This leads to cumulative strain and chronic pain (1). That hip issue? Might be your heel. That headache? Could be your rib cage compensating for poor foot mechanics.
And if you’re an athlete? Small inefficiencies = big performance losses (2).
Why Is Everyone’s Gait Different?
Because no one else has lived in your body, with your injuries, shoes, habits, and history of stubbed toes and dodgy gym programming.
Muscle imbalances, joint restrictions, neurological patterns, and even emotional stressors can affect how you move (3). Your gait is shaped by your story—and that’s why we analyse the whole body, not just how far your foot rolls in.
➡️ Explore The Body Lab’s movement philosophy.
What Can You See and Analyse in a Gait Assessment?
A skilled practitioner (👋 hi, that’s us) can observe:
Weight distribution and loading patterns
Joint stacking, range, and rotation in 3D planes
Ribcage, pelvis, and foot coordination
Energy leaks (inefficient transfer through the chain)
Compensation strategies you didn’t even know existed
Tech can show the what, but we show the why. And that’s a game-changer.
Benefits of Gait Analysis
Identifies root causes of pain (not just symptoms)
Optimises sports performance (even for weekend warriors)
Prevents recurring injuries by addressing faulty patterns
Improves posture, efficiency, and balance
Boosts body awareness—you’ll feel the difference in a single session (4)
What’s Different About The Body Lab’s Gait Analysis?
Glad you asked.
Most clinics use treadmills, sensors, or cameras. Cool toys, but they often miss the subtleties of how the body interacts with gravity in real-life walking.
At The Body Lab, we use:
Ground-based observation (no treadmill distortions)
3D joint motion tracking with the eye of experience
Whole-body sequencing (foot > pelvis > spine > breath)
Real-time correction and movement retraining
A mix of biomechanics, neuromuscular integration, and clinical assessment
We don’t just give you data—we give you change.
What Can Gait Analysis Show You?
That your “flat feet” aren’t the villain—your midfoot is just stuck
That your knee pain is a victim, not the root cause
That you’re leaking force in your push-off
That your spine is working overtime because your heel won’t load
That your pelvis isn’t rotating—so your glutes never turn on
In other words, it can show you why things hurt or feel off—and what to do about it (5).
So What? When Should You Book a Gait Analysis?
✅ Chronic pain with no clear cause
✅ Recurring injuries or performance plateaus
✅ Rehab post-injury or surgery
✅ Poor posture or movement limitations
✅ You want to move better, age well, and stop feeling like your joints are rebelling
How Do We Do It at The Body Lab?
We start from the foot up—observing you in motion
We assess how your brain is organising movement
We use movement correction, not guesswork
We teach you how to feel change, not just see it on a screen
And yes—our clients often feel better before they leave the room.
➡️ Book your gait assessment or contact Riccardo directly.
Where to Get Gait Analysis in Canberra?
Here’s what other local clinics offer:
| Clinic | Method |
|---|---|
| The Body Lab | Ground-based full-body analysis with biomechanics & movement |
| Capital Podiatry | Zebris research-grade tech |
| New Step Podiatry | Podosmart insoles + video |
| SportsCare Canberra | Anti-gravity treadmill |
| Local Podiatry | Treadmill filming & observation |
| The Rehab Podiatrist | Foot/ankle gait focus |
| Brindabella Podiatry | Shoe wear & joint evaluation |
| Canberra Running Clinic | Video-based biomechanical assessments |
| University of Canberra | Movement research & tech-based labs |
Act Now (Before Your Joints Send a Stronger Message)
Walking is your most repetitive movement. If you want better posture, less pain, and more strength—it starts at your feet.
🎯 Book Now
References
Perry J, Burnfield JM. Gait Analysis: Normal and Pathological Function. 2nd ed. Thorofare: SLACK Incorporated; 2010.
Novacheck TF. The biomechanics of running. Gait Posture. 1998;7(1):77–95.
Grieve DW. Gait analysis. In: Rowe MJ, editor. Human movement: a practical introduction. London: Churchill Livingstone; 1980. p. 143–155.
Wyndow N, Cowan SM, Wrigley TV, Crossley KM. Trunk and pelvic kinematics, trunk muscle activation, and patellofemoral pain. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2012;44(5):653–62.
Ferber R, Noehren B, Hamill J, Davis I. Competitive female runners with a history of iliotibial band syndrome demonstrate atypical hip and knee kinematics. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2010;40(2):52–8.