Changes in your walking and balance can develop gradually after an injury or with age. Gait training is a type of physical therapy that focuses on how you walk. It often pairs with balance training to help you stay steady.
In this guide, JPM Physical Therapy, P.C., will explain what gait training might involve during physical therapy in Brooklyn, NY, and who can benefit from it.
What Is Gait Training?
Gait training is a form of physical therapy that helps you relearn or improve how you walk. Your gait is your walking pattern, including:
- How your foot lands on the ground
- How you shift weight between your legs
- How you push off to take the next step
Balance training works hand in hand with gait training, building your ability to keep your body centered over your feet, whether you’re standing still or turning to grab something. These programs may improve your walking ability and coordination, which is also great for regaining confidence on your feet.
Staying balanced depends on three systems working as a team: your vision, the balance-related organs in your inner ear, and the sensors in your muscles and joints. Together, gait and balance training can challenge all three and improve how they work together.
Who Can Benefit From Gait and Balance Training?
Gait and balance training may help almost anyone whose walking or steadiness has deteriorated, not just older adults.
You might be a good candidate if you’re dealing with:
- Neurological conditions: Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, a traumatic brain injury, or a spinal cord injury
- Orthopedic surgery: Recovery after a hip or knee replacement or fracture repair
- Injuries: Sprains, strains, or other damage from a fall, sport, or car accident
- Inner ear problems: Dizziness or vertigo throwing off your sense of balance
- Age-related changes: Weaker leg muscles and slower reactions
A range of complications can lead to balance issues. According to a study following 75 first-time anterior circulation stroke survivors, up to 83% had balance problems.
What Happens During Gait Training?
Gait training usually starts with an evaluation. Your therapist may watch you walk or time how quickly you stand up from a chair. Your therapist will also test your leg strength and flexibility to see if these factors might be affecting your balance.
Sessions often mix several types of exercise, such as:
- Strength work: Squats, bridges, side steps, and resistance band moves
- Standing balance drills: Single-leg stands with and without support
- Moving balance drills: Heel-to-toe walking, weight shifts, and obstacles
- Walking practice: Treadmill sessions to fine-tune step length and speed
- Assistive device training: Proper use of a cane or walker while you build strength
Your therapist will often raise the challenge in small steps, such as moving from a firm floor to a foam pad or adding a simple task like talking while you walk. This gradual approach aims to prepare you for busy sidewalks, crowded subway platforms, and uneven ground.
How Effective Is Gait Training in Clinical Trials?
A 2023 network meta-analysis in Frontiers in Neurology pooled 61 randomized trials with 2,328 stroke patients and found that treadmill-based gait training improved balance while walking. A 2020 systematic review in Frontiers in Physiology also found that exercise training significantly reduced gait asymmetry in four of nine trials involving people with chronic neurological conditions.
One 2024 scoping review in the Journal of Clinical Medicine included a study that used a Weight Support Feedback Cane and a smartphone application. During training, the target weight placed on the device was reduced weekly from 60% down to 30% of each participant’s initial measured cane dependence. The study concluded that gait training methods can significantly enhance lower limb muscle activity and walking ability.
Supporting Fall Prevention With Gait and Balance Therapy in Brooklyn, NY
Fall prevention is one of the biggest reasons therapists recommend this type of care. Stronger legs and a smoother walking pattern may lower your chances of losing your footing.
A 2025 systematic review examined 27 trials in adults 60 and older and linked programs that combine strength and balance exercise to 20% to 45% fewer falls.
Better mobility and stability can also ease the fear of falling that keeps many people close to home. In a small 2025 study in Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science, older adults who completed six weeks of strength, balance, and walking exercises with a wearable hip-assist device cut their 10-meter walk time by 11.69%.
Take Steadier Steps With Physical Therapy in Brooklyn, NY
Gait training may help you build strength and lower your risk of falling, whether you’re recovering from a stroke, an injury, or a surgical procedure. At JPM Physical Therapy, P.C., we build personalized walking programs and offer balance therapy to improve stability. Call (516) 689-9921 to schedule a consultation in Brooklyn, New York.
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get quick answers to common questions people ask about our walking and balance therapy.
How Long Does It Take To See Results From Balance Training?
Small gains from balance training, like steadier steps or easier chair rises, may appear within a few weeks of consistent practice. Bigger changes may take a few months, depending on your condition and how often you do your exercises.
Can You Do Balance Exercises at Home?
You can do many balance exercises at home in between sessions once your physical therapist shows you proper form. Always check with your therapist before trying harder moves.
Do You Need a Referral To See a Physical Therapist in New York?
You may be able to see our physical therapists in New York for a limited time without a referral, though your insurance plan may still require one. Check your policy before your first visit.
How Often Do You Need Gait Training Sessions?
Gait training sessions often take place two to three times per week at first. Your physical therapist will set a schedule based on your needs and progress.
