What Your Walk Tells About You

"Don't just talk the talk — you gotta walk the walk" is more than a saying about words vs action alone. Did you know? The way in which you walk can divulge a lot of critical information about your health. From your posture and your walking pace to your gait and strut, your walk sends off a lot of clues as to the condition of your overall health.

What Does Walking Too Slowly Mean?

The average walking speed is roughly 3 feet per second, which equates to approximately two miles per hour. Individuals who walk slower than 2 feet per second are at an increased risk of premature death. The theory is that a person’s body will find its preferred walking speed based on that person's overall state of physical health. This means that speeding up your walk will not decrease the risk for premature death, as it is more likely that slower walking is the result of an underlying medical condition.
 

Arms That Don’t Swing Enough

The natural positioning of the spine causes the right arm to swing backwards when the left foot takes a step forward. When an individual is walking and the arms are not swinging back as far as they should, it can be an indicator that there is an underlying lower back issue related to a limited range of motion. One of the first things a chiropractor will do during an evaluation is to watch you walk and observe the range of your arm swing. If others have commented that your arms swing weirdly, it may be time to seek medical advice.

Slapping the Ground With Your Foot

For a normal, healthy walk, the heel first touches the floor and the rest of the foot follows until the toes touch the floor. The process, though it happens in a second, is gradual and predictable. When an individual slaps en entire foot onto the ground without making the usual heel to toe progression, this way of walking can indicate that there is a problem with the discs in the spine or that there are weak anterior muscles. It can also be the result of a stroke, a neuromuscular event, or be due to a nerve being compressed.

A Woman’s Confident Strut

Women who walk with a very conscious, confident stride are sometimes believed to be in a state of good sexual health. Women who walk with a freer, more energetic stride are more likely to be able to have orgasms, some say. This theory is that when a woman orgasms frequently she has muscles that are not too stiff or too flaccid, resulting in an easy-going, confident stride. Whether this is nonsense or not, walking with confidence will open some doors for you!

Knock-Knees

Knock-knees is the informal term used to describe the appearance of the knees when they bend in towards one another. It can create a very awkward walk and is very common in individuals suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. If you know you do this, see a doctor.

Shuffling Feet

When a person shuffles when they walk, they bend the body forward and have a difficult time lifting their feet off of the ground. Shuffling is common in many individuals as they age, however, it can also be an indicator of Parkinson’s Disease. In addition to tremors, a shuffling gait is one of the most common early signs of the condition. Timely diagnosis can increase your quality of life, so see a medical professional as soon as you can.

Bouncing Gait

Some individuals actually have a bounce in their step. This is usually the result of tightened calf muscles. It is a common condition in women, believed to be the result of wearing high-heeled shoes. Women who wear high-heeled shoes often may find it difficult to place their feet flat on the ground. This can make it near impossible for them to wear flat shoes. The condition usually develops after years of wearing high heels, though some women can develop tight calf muscles after only 6 months of frequent high heel wearing.

Pelvic Dip

When the pelvis drops slightly on one side while walking, it is usually the result of one leg being longer than the other. The pelvis and hips have to dip down slightly on the side with the shorter leg to be able to reach the ground. Although the difference in length is miniscule, the effects on the gait and posture can be significant. Although surgery may be necessary for a large discrepancy in leg length, most individuals can find relief from wearing shoe inserts in the shoe of the shorter leg.

The way in which you walk can provide a vast window into the state of your overall health. If you have any of the walking styles list above and think you may suffer from one of the related causes, contact your physician.