Whether you're a runner sidelined by a nagging injury or someone whose walking pattern just doesn't feel right, our gait analysis puts your movement on camera in slow motion so we can review it together, translate what we're seeing into plain language, and try adjustments on the spot. Then we re-test to see what changed. That's how real gait retraining works.
Whether you're training for your first 5K or your next marathon, running injuries share a common cause: mechanics that don't hold up over distance. Slow-motion video reveals exactly where your form breaks down and lets us fix it before the next injury takes you off the road.
Our founder is a runner himself. He understands the mechanics behind IT band syndrome, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, runner's knee, and Achilles tendinopathy — and the cadence, form, and progressive-return protocols that actually resolve them.
We also build structured progressive running programs for runners who want to safely increase their mileage without breaking down. See below for details.
If your walking pattern has changed, if someone's mentioned that you look "lopsided," or if walking causes hip, knee, back, or foot pain — the answer is often in the mechanics. A visible antalgic gait, a step-length asymmetry, or a subtle drop of the pelvis can be the source of pain you thought was unrelated.
Gait analysis identifies what's actually happening beneath the pain — and gives us the map to fix it. We also build structured progressive walking programs for patients rebuilding walking volume safely.
When we film you moving in slow motion, we're watching for specific, measurable things. Some of the most common findings we identify and treat:
Overstriding is one of the most common causes of runner's knee, shin splints, and hip pain. A small cadence adjustment often changes everything.
Heel-strike, midfoot, forefoot — none is universally right or wrong. What matters is whether your strike pattern matches your body's mechanics and your training goals.
When the pelvis drops or rotates with each step, force travels up the chain — into the low back, or down into the knee. The fix usually isn't at the knee itself.
The knee that collapses inward with impact is one of the most common contributors to runner's knee, IT band syndrome, and patellofemoral pain.
Excessive pronation, limited dorsiflexion, or a stiff ankle can drive plantar fasciitis, Achilles issues, and stress fractures.
Most walking or running gaits are subtly asymmetrical. The question is whether the asymmetry is causing pain — and whether it can be retrained.
Many running injuries and walking-related pain conditions are driven by mechanics, not tissue damage. That's good news — because when we identify and correct the mechanics, the pain resolves and the injury stops recurring.
Most running and walking injuries share a root cause: too much, too soon. The body adapts to loading gradually, and generic training plans off the internet don't know your mechanics, your injury history, or your specific limits. That's where a clinician-built program is different.
We design structured progressive running and walking programs for patients who want to safely increase their volume without breaking down. These programs are built by a licensed clinician who has watched you move, evaluated your strength and mobility, and understands your history. They're not templates. They're calibrated to your body.
These programs are especially valuable for:
Programs are typically delivered as part of your ongoing PT plan, or as a standalone wellness service for patients who don't need active injury care but want the clinical structure of a program built for their body.
Progressive programming pairs particularly well with our Performance Personal Training service — supervised strength and conditioning built by a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Volume gets you fit, but strength keeps you injury-free at that volume. Many of our runners work through both services in parallel to build the mileage and the underlying capability at the same time.
You'll walk or run on the treadmill while we film in slow motion from multiple angles. Front, back, and side views — because the important story is different from each angle.
Your clinician walks you through the footage together, translating the technical mechanics into plain language you can act on. When we point out an issue, you're going to see it too. That's the moment the plan becomes obvious.
We try adjustments on the spot — a cadence change, a foot-strike cue, a posture correction — and film again to see what changed. Gait retraining is iterative. Follow-up sessions continue the loop until your body finds the pattern that works for you.
Gait analysis at TORQ is a full clinical evaluation followed by an ongoing refinement process. Here's how it typically unfolds:
Your clinician reviews your medical history, training history, injury history, and goals. Then a hands-on assessment of your strength, mobility, and joint mechanics — followed by slow-motion video of you walking or running on the treadmill.
Your clinician walks you through the video, explains what's happening in plain language, and helps you try adjustments on the spot. Then we film again to see what changed. You leave with a clear picture of what your body is doing and what to work on.
Follow-up sessions continue the loop — re-filming, re-testing, and refining the cues until we find the specific form that works for your body. Real gait retraining is iterative. We stay with you until the change sticks.
Insurance typically covers gait analysis when it's treating an injury, chronic pain, or a functional gait dysfunction. If you're a runner with a specific injury holding you back — an IT band issue, runner's knee, plantar fasciitis — that's usually covered.
Insurance typically does not cover gait analysis when it's purely for performance optimization, marathon PR training, or return to competitive running with no underlying injury. If your insurance doesn't cover it, we offer a transparent self-pay option.
Not sure which category you fall into? Call us at (856) 360-5630 and we'll run a free eligibility check before your first visit.
Gait retraining is iterative work — filming, adjusting, re-testing. Here's what patients typically experience once the changes take hold:
Rated 5.0 stars with over 250 Google reviews. Here's what two runners have shared about their gait and movement care at TORQ.
"I experienced a rear radial tear of my meniscus & had a small tibial plateau fracture. I am an active runner & was devastated after a surgeon said I needed surgery & I would never run again. Dr. Alex provided me with a plan, research and guidance on my injury & how I could manage this without surgery... I did get a second orthopedic opinion & this Dr. agreed with Dr. Alex. I have followed the plan that Dr. Alex gave me & 9 months later I ran a 2 mile trail run in 22 minutes. His commitment to my care was amazing."Jennifer B.Trail Runner · Recovered Without Surgery
"I was unable to run without pain in my foot so I decided to approach Doctor Alex. He thoroughly assessed my issue, not only assessing the one area, but scanning my entire body for the root of the problem. He noticed that my foot pain was an overarching issue of my hips and back. He was able to come up with a personalized plan of around 5 exercises that I could do in my own time at home. With his care, I have no pain and he has retaught me how to run, optimizing my performance and eliminating my issue permanently."Mike P.Marathon Runner · NASM Certified Trainer
Under New Jersey Direct Access, you can be evaluated by a licensed physical therapist without a doctor's referral. Skip the extra appointment.
Every session is directed by a licensed clinician — including the video review, which we walk you through in real time.
Our Balance & Fall Prevention program complements gait work for patients focused on stability and safety.
Whether you're chasing a PR or trying to walk to the mailbox without pain, gait analysis at TORQ is an iterative process. We film, review, adjust, and re-test until your body finds the pattern that works for you.