Physical Therapy can help you get back on your feet in Conway and Perryville, AR!
Have you noticed that you can’t seem to shake that limp ever since rolling your ankle? Do you notice the more your back bothers you, the worse your gait becomes? There are many reasons why we walk differently, most of which can be resolved with physical therapy at Elite Physical Therapy in Conway and Perryville, AR!
Gait is defined as the pattern of a person’s walking. The ability to walk is often considered an ordinary function by most people. But when walking becomes limited or dysfunctional, the importance and significance are finally appreciated.
Walking requires intricate coordination of the entire musculoskeletal system and involves precise timing and coordination of muscles, joints, and nerves to allow the body to propel forward rhythmically. Our stride varies from person to person due to height, weight, health status, and even based on the culture we grow up in.
Numerous possibilities may cause an abnormal gait. Some common causes are:
- Joint degeneration/arthritis
- Neurological conditions (i.e., Parkinson’s, degenerative nerve diseases, stroke, etc.).
- Vestibular disorders/vertigo
- Injuries to the spine and/or lower extremity
- Muscle disorders (i.e., weakness, muscle wasting associated with age)
Nobody wants to feel pain or unsteadiness when walking. Fortunately, the physical therapists at Elite Physical Therapy are experts at identifying and treating the common conditions that affect your gait. We will give you the tools to restore your walking ability and get back to doing what you love!
Make an appointment with Conway and Perryville, AR office for physical therapy today. Our gait disorders specialty services at Elite Physical Therapy can help you improve your quality of life!
What is a gait disorder?
Gait abnormalities are irregular motions or other changes in your walking and running patterns. Relatively minor issues like foot problems or wearing ill-fitting shoes can interfere with our normal gait and potentially lead to dysfunction and become a gait disorder.
Gait disorders are very common in the adult population, with studies reporting over 60% of people over the age of 80 to have a gait disorder. Gait disorders include imbalance, shuffling, frequent falls, staggering, and freezing in place.
Neurological or non-neurological causes can influence our gait. The most common causes include:
- Neurological conditions (i.e., sensory or motor impairments)
- Orthopedic problems (i.e., osteoarthritis, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, and other skeletal deformities)
- Medical conditions (i.e., heart failure, respiratory insufficiency, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, and obesity)
These abnormalities may worsen as you get older, but changes to your gait can happen at any age. Fortunately, physical therapists at Elite Physical Therapy in Conway and Perryville, AR are experts at identifying the root cause of your struggles and will address all the factors interfering with your ability to walk normally.
What causes gait disorders?
Underlying medical conditions or orthopedic and neurological issues may cause or worsen a problem with your balance or gait. Fortunately, our Conway and Perryville, AR physical therapy clinics can help you regain your function and correct your gait.
Here are some common conditions that cause gait problems:
Neurological issues
Numerous neurological conditions can cause gait issues. A brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, or a stroke are all possibilities. Some neurological disorders start in childhood, whereas others are related to aging.
The most common conditions affecting children include the following:
- Cerebral palsy
- Muscular dystrophy
- Charcot Marie Tooth disease
- Brain tumors
The most common affecting adults include:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Stroke
- Brain tumor
- Parkinson’s disease
- Spinal cord compression
At Elite Physical Therapy in Conway and Perryville, AR, our therapists can assess your gait and give you tools and strategies to ensure your safety and restore your function to your maximal potential.
Orthopedic Disorders and Injuries
Medical Issues
Physical therapy can help you recover from gait disorders in Elite Physical Therapy in Conway and Perryville, AR!
Physical therapy is one of the most effective treatments for all gait disorders. Our physical therapists will conduct a thorough assessment when you arrive for your first appointment at Elite Physical Therapy.
Our physical therapist will examine your whole body to identify the factoring contributing to your condition—a comprehensive medical history and history of your past and current symptoms. We will include a screen of your joints’ range of motion and strength. We will also conduct movement screenings that include how your body moves in specific patterns, including your gait pattern.
The results of your evaluation will inform your personalized treatment plan. We will tailor our strategy to your specific requirements. Our physical therapists frequently use the following exercises and techniques:
Mobility work
Strengthening Exercises
Gait Retraining Exercises
Balance and Coordination Drills
Use of Assistive Devices
Call Elite Physical Therapy for help with gait disorders.
Are you having difficulty walking normally? If so, it is very important that you seek help! Our Conway and Perryville, AR physical therapists can show you the most effective ways to improve your walking abilities, so you can get back to doing what you love sooner than later!
Request an appointment with Elite Physical Therapy today to find the relief you have been looking for. Please contact us today.
