How to Change the Walking Gait

Gait training -- practicing a proper walking pattern -- can be a difficult task, particularly for children or adults with limited learning capacity. Gait training is used with people who have neurological disorders like cerebral palsy or who have suffered a stroke to improve their balance and progress independence with walking. It is also beneficial for people re-learning how to walk after a newly healed leg injury where they could not bear weight on it for a period of time. There are several techniques that are helpful for changing your walking pattern.

Things You'll Need

• Walker or cane
• Butcher paper
• Finger paint or baby powder
• Cookie sheet
• Metronome
• Shoe squeakers

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Instructions

• 1

  Use a walker or cane to improve your walking balance. There are several different types of each available. A rolling walker supports both sides of the body and is easily pushed as you walk. Stay inside the walker and step into it so your hips are in line with your hands. You can fall backwards if you step too close to the front of the walker. A cane works best when only one side of the body is weak. It is used in the hand on the side opposite of the weak leg. As you step forward with the weak leg, place the cane firmly on the ground. Bring it forward as the weaker leg advances and your good leg supports your weight.

• 2

  Use visual feedback to improve a particular walking technique. People who have decreased heel strike -- walk on their tiptoes -- need to learn to land on their heel with each step. Remove your shoes and socks. Unroll butcher paper on a firm flat surface. Pour powder or finger paint into the cookie sheet and step into it with both feet. Walk along the paper attempting to make a complete footprint with each step. As you progress, walk with your shoes on and deliberately land each step with your heel. With practice you will be able to increase your speed.

• 3

  Use auditory feedback to improve walking technique. A standard metronome can be used to increase speed and fluidity of walking. Set it at a speed that is comfortable for you and try to match each step to the clicking sound. Slowly increase the metronome speed as it becomes easier. This exercise will also improve coordination and dynamic balance.

• 4

  Shoe squeakers can be strapped onto a pair of shoes to improve a particular part of the gait cycle. They are commonly used to improve heel strike. Strap the squeaker around the heel of your shoe and fasten the Velcro straps to keep it in place. As you walk, try to make them squeak with each step -- as you put weight through your heel. If you do not hear a squeak, your heel is not striking the floor.