Gait analysis is one of the most effective tools used in allied health to understand how your body moves—and why pain, injuries, or performance issues may be holding you back. At Momentum Health in Kelowna, gait analysis is used to identify movement inefficiencies, reduce injury risk, and help people move with greater confidence and control.
Whether you’re a runner, athlete, or simply dealing with persistent aches during daily activities, a professional gait analysis can provide valuable insight into how your movement patterns impact your body.
What Is Gait Analysis?
Gait analysis is a detailed assessment of how you walk or run. It evaluates the way your joints, muscles, and nervous system work together during movement.
At Momentum Health, a gait analysis assessment looks at:
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Foot strike and pressure distribution
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Ankle, knee, hip, and pelvic alignment
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Muscle activation and timing
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Balance, coordination, and symmetry
Both walking gait analysis and running gait analysis are used depending on your goals, activity level, and injury history.
What Does a Gait Analysis Tell You?
Many people ask, what does a gait analysis tell you?
A comprehensive gait analysis can reveal:
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Why injuries keep recurring
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Muscle imbalances or weaknesses
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Joint stiffness or instability
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Compensation patterns increasing stress on the body
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Inefficient movement that limits performance
By identifying the root cause of movement issues, practitioners at Momentum can create a treatment plan that addresses the root problem—not just the symptoms.
How to Tell If Your Gait Is Off
You don’t need to be injured to benefit from gait analysis, but certain signs suggest your gait may be contributing to discomfort.
How to tell if your gait is off?
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Shoes wearing out unevenly
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Frequent ankle, knee, hip, or lower back pain
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Feeling uneven or unstable while walking
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One side of the body consistently tighter or weaker
For runners, what are the signs of a poor running gait?
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Shin splints or stress fractures
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Achilles or plantar fascia pain
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IT band or knee pain
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Slower progress despite consistent training
A gait analysis for running can identify these issues early and help prevent long-term injuries.
Benefits of a Gait Analysis
The benefits of a gait analysis go far beyond injury rehabilitation. It’s a proactive tool for improving how your body moves.
Key benefits include:
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Gait analysis for injury prevention by identifying risk factors early
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Reduced strain on joints and soft tissues
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Improved balance and movement efficiency
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Faster recovery from existing injuries
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Enhanced athletic performance
At Momentum Kelowna, gait analysis is commonly used for both rehabilitation and performance optimization.
How Long Does It Take to Do a Gait Analysis?
A common question is: how long does it take to do a gait analysis?
Most gait analysis sessions at Momentum Health & Performance take 30 to 60 minutes and typically include:
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Movement observation
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Strength and mobility assessment
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Review of findings with your practitioner
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A clear plan for treatment or performance improvement
Where to Get Gait Analysis in Kelowna
For those searching for gait analysis Kelowna, Momentum Health offers professional gait analysis led by experienced Chiroptactors and Kinesiologists. This ensures your assessment directly informs treatment, corrective exercises, and movement retraining—not just observation.
Is Gait Analysis Right for You?
Gait analysis may be right for you if you:
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Experience recurring injuries
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Feel pain during or after activity
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Are returning to sport after injury
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Want to improve performance or efficiency
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Want to move better and stay active long-term
You don’t need to be injured—many people use gait analysis proactively to support healthy movement.
Gait analysis provides valuable insight into how your body moves and why pain or injuries may be occurring. By identifying inefficiencies early, it plays a key role in injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement.
If you’re looking for expert gait analysis in Kelowna, Momentum Health offers professional practitioner-led assessments designed to help you move better, feel stronger, and stay active longer.
