GAIT CYCLE

What is it? Why is correcting and optimising gait important? How does it relate to human movement?  

How does gait cycle analysis work and why is correcting our gait so important?

  • Pain results from dysfunctional biomechanics, fascial adhesions and postural adaptations. The best way to identify the problem is to assess these dysfunctions either by a gait cycle analysis or gait correction protocols.

  • Having your gait cycle (your run) analysed quickly shines a light on where your adhesions, A-symmetries, and muscle weaknesses are and it lays the path for gait correction.

    Certain points of your body drop down too far upon impact, other parts are stiff and immobile, curves in the spine become more apparent, and failure to rotate at certain points becomes incredibly clear.

  • If the most primal and basic human motion is running, wouldn’t your problems be on open display if you were to try to run?

    If you could run like Usain Bolt, jump like LeBron James, punch like Muhammad Ali, and kick a ball like Ronaldo – would you still be in the same amount of pain?

    The answer will almost exclusively be no. Training gait (the way you stand, walk and run) implements a level of symmetry and strength that is needed for our everyday life because our everyday life has evolved around our gait cycle.

  • You might say “Yes, but many professional athletes find themselves injured all of the time”… and you wouldn’t be wrong. In our experience, injuries in professional athletes are often a result of how they train and their rehabilitation practices.

    We aren’t trying to copy how they train; millions of athletes and average Joe’s alike try that at the gym and sports ground every year. If moving that well was that easy then we’d all be able to sprint to work and backflip our way out of chronic pain.

    Again, we’re not trying to copy how they train: we’re trying to copy HOW THEY MOVE.

REDUCE RISK OF INJURY, DECREASE PAIN AND INCREASE ATHLETICISM

Functional Patterns was designed to optimise the Big Four of human movement: standing, walking, running, and throwing. Walking and running fall under the category of gait.

If you learn what it takes to precisely execute these movements to the highest degree, the benefits will transfer to literally every other movement you do and you will therefore see a decrease in dysfunctions and their associated pain.

Whether it be a passive position like sitting, an athletic position like cutting laterally, or any other movement configuration – optimising your gait means that you improve your entire movement spectrum. Instead of trading fitness for function or vice versa, you get both simultaneously! That’s the Functional Patterns way!

Chronic pain and posture rehab in every step

How many steps do you take per day? 2000? 7000? 12000? If you’ve ever tracked it, you may have been surprised at the sheer amount of times you put one foot in front of the other every single day. 

What happens when each step is slightly out? overtime, it compounds into chronic pain, poor posture, tightness, weakness, imbalance, etc. 

Conversely, when you learn to sequence your gait cycle correctly, every step brings you closer and closer to symmetry, strength, reduced pain, reduced risk of injury, and overall functionality.

HOW TO CORRECT GAIT

We have discussed using gait as an analysis tool and the importance of correcting gait, but how do you address it? 

If your gait mechanics are faulty, it is extremely hard to improve the gait cycle by simply practicing walking or running. Rather, it is important to break down each individual section of the gait cycle, beginning with YOUR most pressing points, and to work on strengthening that motion in an extremely monitored environment where your training can make macro and micro adjustments where you require. After all, your body is going to want to do the opposite of what it is supposed to in some settings, and therefore a keen eye is very important.

CAR ACCIDENT INDUCED CHRONIC PAIN

Rehab using gait correction

“Since working with Fe for the past couple of years I have noticed a significant improvement in my movement integrity, foundations, and ability. I was suffering from chronic pain after multiple breaks and injuries from a car accident. My daily pain has reduced… My endurance and stamina have increased, my “limp” doesn’t come on as quickly and I have more control and confidence in my body. Fe has helped me work through my physical limitations and contributed to getting me through a tough time when I thought I’d be stuck in a pain cycle.”

IMPROVED POSTURE AND MOVING PAIN FREE

“I was an athlete for 13 years, dealing with different kinds of physio and training but strangely I always had pain. Functional Patterns changed my mind about the human body, how it functions and works together accordingly etc. Now I get training without any fear of pain or misusing my muscles.”

Yeayen

REAL PEOPLE. REAL RESULTS.

  • SCOLIOSIS IMPROVEMENTS

  • RUNNING PAIN FREE

  • CHRONIC BACK PAIN RESULTS

  • STRUCTURE GAINS

  • POSTURE IMPROVEMENTS

  • HIP SURGERY AVOIDED

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STRAIGHTEN SCOLIOSIS
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CORRECT POOR POSTURE