GAIT: Functional Gait

Register Early and SAVE on In-Person Courses

Super Early-Bird: Register 60+ days before the course & save $100!

Early-Bird: Register 30-60 days before the course & save $50!

Many aspects of function are impeded by motor control problems that are reflected in a patient’s gait and rolling patterns. The skill to observe and then affect a positive impact on a patient’s gait dysfunction is a powerful tool in the total rehabilitation of both orthopedic and neurological patients. Building on the foundational skills learned in other IPA courses,Functional Gait emphasizes component assessment and the governing structural and motor control factors which influence each component. Each gait component is self-evaluated,assessed by two partners, and then treated using PNF, CFS®, and FM treatment strategies.

Objectives

By the end of the course, the participant will demonstrate through small group discussion monitored by the instructor the ability to identify:

  • The biomechanical principal which govern gait
  • The mechanical, neuromuscular, and motor control impairments which can alter efficient gait
  • The functional interrelationship of the body’s systems and regions necessary for efficient gait

By the end of course, the participant will demonstrate the manual and visual skills necessary to accurately:

  • Analyze gait dysfunctions in lab partners or on video

The participant will develop the manual and observational skills to:

  • Assess the mechanical impairments contributing to the identified inefficient gait
  • Assess the neuromuscular CoreFirst strategies necessary to perform efficient gait
  • Perform appropriate mobilization and re-education treatment to facilitate a more efficient gait pattern

By the end of the course, participant will demonstrate, through supervised lab practice sessions, the ability to perform appropriate manual skills of mechanical, neuromuscular, and motor control treatment to correct any identified gait dysfunctions in lab partners.

By the end of the course, the participant will demonstrate, in supervised lab practice sessions the ability to instruct the patient in an appropriate home program.

Throughout the course, the participant will participate in guided discussions related to the current evidence for Gait assessment and treatment.

Requirements & Additional Information

  • Required Course Preparation

    • Prior to the classroom portion of this course, all students must complete the required course preparation which includes videos, quizzes, and articles. Once enrolled in a course, required course preparation can be found by logging on to your IPA account and selecting “My Upcoming Courses.”  If you have any trouble accessing the required course preparation please email [email protected] for assistance.  Prep time varies by course so be sure to review required course work immediately following your purchase to allow for sufficient time to complete assignments prior to the start of the course.  To receive CEUs all required course preparation must be completed prior to course commencement.
    • This 2.5 day class is quite demanding and intense.  Please come well rested.
    • Please have your fingernails filed and trimmed.
    • Please review the PNF manual as an understanding of this foundational FMT material is critical to the study and mastery of the advanced techniques and procedures taught in Functional GAIT.  PNF and content is not reviewed as part of GAIT.

  • Required Equipment

    Release of Liability Form: Complete the Release of Liability Form and bring it to the course.

    Half Foam Roll: (12″ x 6″ which measures 3″ tall at the apex since the 6″ round is cut in half).  NOTE:  You may order one from IPA or from a number of other providers.  Orders that are received three weeks prior to a course, and clearly request shipment to a course, may be shipped directly to the course.  All other orders will be shipped to the address given on the order.  Order Half Foam Roll

    Mobilization Belt: 1.5″ x 8′.  NOTE:  You may order one from IPA or from a number of other providers.  Orders that are received three weeks prior to a course, and clearly request shipment to a course, may be shipped directly to the course.  All other orders will be shipped to the address given on the order. Order Mobilization Belt

    Coach’s Eye:  Please download the app Coach’s Eye (or similar gait analysis app) onto your phone prior to coming to the course. The app will be used to record and analyze your gait. Coach’s Eye enables a side by side view of your gait before and after the course to visually see the difference after treatment. The videos can also be viewed in slow motion to pick up subtle changes. If you are unable to download an app, your phone’s video app can be used to record your gait.

    Towel

    Pillow with 2 cases

    Optional Tools:  Kong tool, Fascia Freer and any other mobilization tools are useful on Saturday and Sunday. These optional tools aid in learning treatment techniques.  Order Mobilization Tools

  • CEU Information

    20 Contact Hours

    To receive CEUs all required course preparation must be completed PRIOR to course commencement.

    Approved for PTs in NY, IL, and CA.  For a different state, please check with your state board for reciprocity of CEU approval from one of these states.  IPA will provide the standard documentation needed for individual state approval if your state does not accept reciprocity.  OTs, and PTAs should check with their approving body to determine if the PT approval is acceptable.

    To determine if any additional state approvals have been obtained, please check facility information for a specific course. (Select more info for the specific course at the bottom of this page and then select Facility Information tab.  Any additional approval will appear in the top left of the tab below the facility name.)

  • Price Information

    Earlybird Price: $625 / Regular Price: $695

    Earlybird Discounts: Register at least one month prior to course commencement and receive a discount of approximately 10%.  Register early and save!

    Student / New Professional Discounts: Students and First Year New Professionals can receive a 20% discount. Full details here.

    Repeat Discounts: IPA makes two (2) spots in each in-person course available at half-price for those repeating a course within five (5) years.  Registration for the half-price spots is on a first-come basis.  You must register by phone to receive a half-price repeat spot.  Registering online will result in you being charged full price. Credits cannot be issued once your transaction is complete.  Half-price tuition does not include a course manual or any supplies distributed at the course. Full details here.

  • Recommended Reading and Viewing
  • Audience & Attendance

    PT, PTA, OT, OTA, SPT, OTS

    Attendees agree to utilize all skills of evaluation, assessment and treatment learned in this course to the extent allowed under the regulations of their professional practice act. By registering you acknowledge that your attendance does not represent authorization by the IPA, or any of its officers, to utilize any of the material learned which may lie outside of the strict interpretation of your practice act.

    Each attendee is expected to complete the required pre-course work before the course begins, and attend all hours of instruction to receive a certificate of completion. Any exceptions to this policy must be pre-approved in writing by the Directors.

  • Lab Clothing

    • Each participant’s body must be accessible for observation and treatment
    • Women:  Halter tops, sports bras, or similar and shorts which allow access to the upper thigh.
    • Men:  shorts which allow access to the upper thigh.
    • Please refrain from wearing large or sharp jewelry.
    • It is recommended to wear layers for comfort between labs as temperatures may vary in the room.
    • NOTE:  Lab sessions begin within an hour of the start of class so please be in lab clothes when class begins.

    .

  • Breaks

    While we continue to cope with the presence of COVID-19, the IPA shall adhere to ongoing CDC guidelines related to food and beverage consumption at each course.  To avoid community spread, participants are requested to bring their own drink and any desired snack.  Each participant will be requested to step out of the room while consuming drink or food or create a socially acceptable distance from other participants.

  • Instructor Note

    While specific instructors are scheduled for each course, circumstance may necessitate instructor changes. In addition, the final number of instructors is determined by enrollment.  Course refunds or transfers are not granted related to changes in the designated instructor or number of instructors.

     

    Instructor/Participant Ratio:

    • 1 Instructor:  ≤ 20 participants
    • 2 Instructors:  22 – 32 participants
    • 3 Instructors:  ≥ 34 participants

Dates & Locations

  • Encompass Physical Therapy LLC
    Annapolis, MD

    Apr 25, 2025 - Apr 27, 2025
    Tracy Eisenbeis
    Schedule Location Date & Time
    Course:
    Course Check-in
    Location:
    Encompass Physical Therapy LLC
    Annapolis , MD
    Date:
    Starts at 4:30 pm EDT
    Ends at 5:00 pm EDT
    Course:
    Friday
    Location:
    Encompass Physical Therapy LLC
    Annapolis , MD
    Date:
    Starts at 5:00 pm EDT
    Ends at 9:30 pm EDT
    Course:
    Saturday
    Location:
    Encompass Physical Therapy LLC
    Annapolis , MD
    Date:
    Starts at 8:30 am EDT
    Ends at 7:00 pm EDT
    Course:
    Sunday
    Location:
    Encompass Physical Therapy LLC
    Annapolis , MD
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am EDT
    Ends at 4:00 pm EDT
  • Burke Rehabilitation Hospital
    White Plains, NY

    Sep 19, 2025 - Sep 21, 2025
    Tracy Eisenbeis
    Schedule Location Date & Time
    Course:
    Course Check-in
    Location:
    Burke Rehabilitation Hospital
    White Plains , NY
    Date:
    Starts at 4:30 pm EDT
    Ends at 5:00 pm EDT
    Course:
    Friday
    Location:
    Burke Rehabilitation Hospital
    White Plains , NY
    Date:
    Starts at 5:00 pm EDT
    Ends at 9:30 pm EDT
    Course:
    Saturday
    Location:
    Burke Rehabilitation Hospital
    White Plains , NY
    Date:
    Starts at 8:30 am EDT
    Ends at 7:00 pm EDT
    Course:
    Sunday
    Location:
    Burke Rehabilitation Hospital
    White Plains , NY
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am EDT
    Ends at 4:00 pm EDT
  • iMotion Physical Therapy
    Fremont, CA

    Oct 17, 2025 - Oct 19, 2025
    Foster King
    Schedule Location Date & Time
    Course:
    Course Check-in
    Location:
    iMotion Physical Therapy
    Fremont , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 4:30 pm PDT
    Ends at 5:00 pm PDT
    Course:
    Friday
    Location:
    iMotion Physical Therapy
    Fremont , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 5:00 pm PDT
    Ends at 9:30 pm PDT
    Course:
    Saturday
    Location:
    iMotion Physical Therapy
    Fremont , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 8:30 am PDT
    Ends at 7:00 pm PDT
    Course:
    Sunday
    Location:
    iMotion Physical Therapy
    Fremont , CA
    Date:
    Starts at 8:00 am PDT
    Ends at 4:00 pm PDT