WATCH YOUR STEP Understanding Gait Training
We’ve been walking for most of our lives, so the idea that we might be doing it wrong sounds ridiculous. We generally assume as long as we put one foot in front of the other, we’re walking just fine. But our gait, or how we walk, can cause problems without our noticing. And when our gait changes, it’s almost always a sign something is wrong. There are many ways to walk incorrectly. Some people are unsteady on their feet, while others shuffle. A limp can favor one foot, knee, or leg over the other, resulting in an unusual walking pattern that might cause more pain. Incorrect posture or putting your weight on the wrong part of your feet can also cause problems.
Sometimes the cause is apparent, like a knee injury. Other times, poor posture prevents us from walking correctly. Stiffness and muscle weakness cause many improper gaits. And brain injuries or ear dysfunctions also cause problems with how we walk. Gait analysis in physical therapy determines how and why a person moves incorrectly or inefficiently when walking. During gait analysis, the physical therapist will ask questions about your health history, when your walk changed, and whether you’re experiencing any pain. Then they will observe your stride to look for problems with speed, rhythm, weight distribution, the angles of your body when walking, and several other factors. They may also ask you to complete balance, strength, and range-of-motion tests to determine the full scope of the problem.
Your physical therapist will then move on to the treatment phase, which is called gait training. It may look different than you expect. Your physical therapist will spend relatively little time pointing out how you’re walking incorrectly and what to do differently. Instead, they’ll focus on building your strength, balance, flexibility, and range of motion. Once these factors are improved, a proper walk tends to happen naturally. We urge you to seek an assessment if you notice changes in your gait. Over time, gait problems can exacerbate existing medical conditions, contribute to falls, and cause additional injury. Early intervention can make all the difference to your quality of life.
Other health conditions cause improper gait, whether or not we are aware of them.
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Roasted Pork Loin With Apples
Inspired by MomFoodie.com
Ingredients
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4 lbs pork loin
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8 apples
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2 tbsp olive oil 2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp garlic powder 2 tsp salt, divided 1 tsp black pepper
2 red onions 3 garlic cloves
3 tbsp butter, softened
1 tbsp brown sugar
Directions
1. In a large bowl, season pork loin with garlic powder, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and pepper, then cover and place in refrigerator for 30 minutes. 2. Preheat oven to 425 F. 3. Slice apples and onions, then chop garlic cloves. Season with brown sugar, olive oil, remaining salt, and cinnamon. 4. In a 9x13-inch baking dish, place a layer of apples and onions in the pan, put pork loin on top, then place remaining apples and onions around it. 5. Break butter into small pieces and place them on the pork loin and apples. Place dish in oven and let it bake for 15 minutes. 6. Reduce the heat to 350 F, then continue to bake for 60 minutes. 7. Remove dish and stir apples and onions. 8. Increase heat to 450 F, put dish in oven, and roast for an additional 8–10 minutes.
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