How to Treat a Shuffling Gait Naturally

If you’ve ever seen someone walk with small steps, dragging their feet inch by inch as they slowly make their way around, you’ve seen a shuffling gait. This is a type of walking pattern where the foot is drug along or is lifted only slightly from the ground while still moving forward. Even though shuffling gaits are commonly seen in the elderly, this condition can affect you no matter how old you are. Keep reading to learn what causes a shuffling gait and how you can treat it naturally with Pressure Point Therapy. 

What Causes a Shuffling Gait?

A shuffling gait occurs when one or both of your sacroiliac joints become misaligned. Your sacroiliac joints connect your spine to your pelvis. They are located on your lower back, one on either side of your spine. These joints play an important role in walking because they carry the weight of your upper body. 

When one or both sacroiliac joints are misaligned, it becomes difficult to shift your weight on your legs to properly walk. You may or may not experience pain, but you will definitely notice that your stride becomes shorter the longer your sacroiliac joints remain out of alignment. 

How Can I Treat My Shuffling Gait Naturally?

The best way to treat a shuffling gait is through chiropractic care and with a technique called Pressure Point Therapy. Pressure Point Therapy is a therapeutic technique that targets specific points along your nerve pathways with strong, steady pressure. The pressure applied helps to improve blood circulation, relax the muscles, and relieve compression on your nerves and joints. 

Routine Pressure Point Therapy, combined with chiropractic adjustments and specialized stretches, is a natural treatment for a shuffling gait. Not only can it reduce pain in your sacroiliac joints, but it can also gently manipulate those joints back into proper alignment so you can walk easily again. 

What If I’ve Had a Shuffling Gait for Years?

The longer a shuffling gait is allowed to continue without treatment, the more difficult it can be to correct. Elderly individuals who have been dealing with a misaligned sacroiliac joint and a shuffling gait for many years may not be able to fully regain their stride even with treatment. However, chiropractic care and Pressure Point Therapy can work to prevent your condition from getting worse and relieve any pain you may be experiencing. 

Visit Mattingly Chiropractic for Shuffling Gait Treatment

Shuffling gaits can be very uncomfortable and make it difficult to move around. Thankfully, chiropractic treatment offers natural solutions that bring fast relief. If you’re dealing with a shuffling gait, give us a call at (314) 310-8359 to schedule a consultation and a free Pressure Point Therapy session.