What should you know about gait and posture analysis?

Posture assessment may include the position of your head, shoulders, pelvis, knees, and feet while standing or sitting. Gait assessment then looks at how those regions coordinate during walking or running, including balance, step timing, foot contact, and trunk movement. A posture that looks different is not automatically the cause of pain. People adapt to footwear, fatigue, old injuries, strength, and the task in front of them, so the clinician should connect observations with your history and physical findings.

A [Pressure Plate Gait Scanner](/technology/pressure-plate-gait-scanner/) can add information about foot pressure. [3D Motion Capture](/technology/3d-motion-capture/) can examine movement of several body segments during a task.

Wear comfortable clothing and bring the shoes used for the activity that concerns you. Mention desk habits, standing demands, exercise, previous injuries, and the positions that ease or worsen symptoms. Treatment may focus on strength, mobility, balance, movement practice, workstation habits, or a gradual activity change. If foot support is considered, [Custom Orthotics](/treatments/non-surgical-orthopedics/custom-orthotics/) should follow an individual assessment and be introduced in a way that allows symptoms and walking tolerance to be monitored.

Seek assessment if a new posture or gait change continues, causes falls, or accompanies pain that limits work, sleep, or ordinary movement. Get urgent help for sudden weakness, worsening numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, inability to bear weight after injury, or a visibly deformed area. These signs require direct medical attention rather than posture coaching alone.

Ask which posture findings are relevant to your symptoms, whether the concern appears during a particular task, and what change is realistic to practise. Ask how to set up exercises or daily activities, how progress will be checked, and what would warrant an earlier review.